Ginuwine: Pretty Pony

OVER THE roar of Candi Stanton's disco classic 'Young Hearts Run Free', Ginuwine modestly says, "I don't really go to that many strip clubs." The sight of this stylishly dressed and overly-groomed (arched eyebrows, perfectly designed sideburns) new Prince of pre-millienum R&B — who has become momentarily lost in the topless silicone waves splashing across the classically tacky stage — reminds me of all the Pretty Tony niggas from my youth: brightly-dressed brothers who were always lounging in the classroom clad like Eleganza models, rapping to the finest soul mamas or constantly checking their hair in the closest reflective surface. Yet, unlike Ginuwine — whose buckwild 1996 debut single 'Pony' has become a stripper's anthem — none of those other suave fellas had the strength to transport their ghetto fashion show beyond the chitlin' circuit of the 'hood.