The Lonely Island

[School of Everything Else 2019]

In an unusual turn we're bringing back the Sound of Gonzo format to examine the oeuvre of a comedy rap group. What started out as a series of scrappy Saturday Night Live sketches poking fun at self-serious hip-hop became a symphony of professionally produced music indistinguishable from the premier artists of the age, aside from the fact that the lyrics are all hilarious.

This trio is/was Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, and what we're about to play for you here has the unifying factor of exposing fragile, male egos and the psychosexual neurosis behind them.

If you've never heard of them, if you're well aware of them or if (most likely) you've heard a few of their songs, allow us to go in-depth as we explore the Lonely Island, culminating in their underseen gem of a glamorous mockumentary, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.

1. My Mic Sounds Nice

2. Who Said We’re Whack? 

3. Lazy Sunday

4. Dick in a Box

5. Cool Beans

6. Jizz in my Pants

7. Like a Boss

8. I’m on a Boat

9. We Like Sportz

10. I just Had Sex

11. Mama

12. Jack Sparrow

13. Motherlover

14. The Golden Rule

15. Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde

16. Threw it on the Ground

17. After Party

18. Great Day

19. Diaper Money 

20. YOLO

21. Spring Break

22. I Run New York

23. Donkey Roll

24. Turn up the Beef

25. I’m so Humble

26. Equal Rights

27. Hunter the Hungry is Gon’ Eat

28. I’m a Weirdo

29. F**k Off

30. Things in my Jeep

31. Everything is Awesome

32. Incredible Thoughts

33. Semicolons

34. I Don’t Give a Honk