Adult Swim's animated Boondocks show tackled closeted gay rappers in this week's episode, "Gangstalicious Part 2". The episode picked up on a previous storyline, in which 8-year-old Riley befriended a gangster rapper (Mr. 'Licious) and, after a complicated series of events not limited to kidnapping and shootings, wound up seeing the rapper kiss another man in a swamp. Riley convinced himself that it was a dream, but in this episode the truth comes out ... as does Riley, despite the fact that he isn't actually gay.

Here's a quick sample of what goes down (warning: language probably NSFW)

Much like the topic it tackles, the episode is complex, occasionally infuriating, and steeped in deep-rooted issues of identity, machismo, and shame. But it's also slyly hilarious and unquestionably provocative, and despite taking a few cheap shots and shortcuts, ultimately asks the right questions about what it is about gayness that hip hop culture finds so threatening.

Along the way there are some priceless lines, most of which are delivered by two gay rappers who found that despite the the fact that the 80's was the gayest time imaginable for hip hop, the world still wasn't ready for them to be out and proud. At one point they explain:"Rap culture has been increasingly influenced by prison culture. And prison culture is really, really gay."

Riley's friendship with Gangstalicious (which, unbeknownst to Riley, is blackmail-based) leads to his essentially turning into a woman, much to the confusion of his family and friends. His grandfather, convinced that the new clothes and attitude mean that he's turned gay, even calls over a Pimp Named Slickback to explain the birds and bees to him.

Through all this, hero Huey is characteristically pragmatic and even opts to let Riley think that the fact that he is a fan of a gay musician makes him gay as well, just because it will mean that their grandfather will give him his own room. Regina King is as hilarious as ever in both roles, and rappers like Mos Def (as Gangastalicious),b(who has had his own share of run-ins with homophobia in the past) and Snoop Dogg guest star as various hip hoppers.

Check out the whole episode here. It's got plenty of NSFW dialogue (of the bleeped and un-bleeped variety) and is decidedly un-PC, so be ready to be shocked/offended/taken off balance. In the end, is the message worth it? Let us know what you think. (t/y to moviechicka for the tipoff!)