Here’s my first De La Soul theory: These first-ballot Hip-Hop Hall of Famers succeed because of their everyman ethos. In them—Posdnuos (aka Mercenary, Plug Wonder Why, Plug One), Trugoy the Dove (né Dave, Plug Two) and Pasemaster Mase (P.A., Maseo, Plug Three)—we see ourselves. Posdnuos repped for nerds like me. Trugoy held it down for the funny dudes, i.e., my boy Roger, Mr. Class Clown at Rancho High. Pasemaster pimped the fat-quiet-guy shtick, something my homie Dell has down pat. Sure, critical acclaim hasn’t equaled walloping commercial success, but that merely validates my second De La Soul theory: They’ve gained more by staying true than selling out, because there’s no true artistry without self-abnegation or self-sacrifice.
June 22, 9 p.m., $20. Hard Rock Hotel pool, 693-5066.