So, as previously mentioned, my exposure to the world of hip-hop or rap was almost nil prior to joining the fabulously G boxing gym.

Inquiring minds

One day during training, not long after I joined G gym, a song came on with a perfect hook – it gave me energy and perserverance when my entire body felt about as tough as a wet rag. I therefore asked Coach for the name of the song and the artist.

(For proper impact, I should perhaps mention that Coach looks like Will Smith – angry Will Smith, as in Ali (duh, its a boxing blog), not funny MIB or Fresh Prince Will Smith – and has similarly emphatic facial expressions).

Song: Rack city. Artist: Tyga.

Not being sure, I double-checked (and this is verbatim): “Tigger? As in Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend?” (Because, obviously Winnie moonlighted, in between each Disney show or movie, as a rap artist, “Pooh’s bros”).

Coach’s expression as he spelled out Tyga’s name for me: gleeful.

Due diligence 

At home, I decided to look up this Tyga dude, y’know, to see what’s up.

Since this is a family-friendly gangsta blog, and my father might be reading this, I’ll refrain from multiple Tyga citations. Suffice it to say, the first time I listened through the entire song, I blushed.

And that is why the folks at the gym believe I am vanilla.

Compare and contrast

Tyga, aged 24, raps  lyrics such as “I’m a motherfucking star/ Look at the paint on the cart/ Too much rim make the ride too hard“.

Tigger raps: “The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I’m the only one!” (The singalong version is available here).

You can see why I would get them confused.

Full disclosure

I downloaded Tyga’s song despite my blushes. And I listen to it frequently. I did not download any of Tigger’s oeuvre d’art.