I just don't like him. Pretentious is the word maybe. Not sure. I don't like his voice either.
I do like Mos Def A LOT. I like a few of Common's songs, but he annoys me to an extent.
I didn't claim The Chronic brought hip hop to the mainstream, that was general.
But honestly, I think Beastie Boys "Lisence to Ill" brought hip hop to the mainstream moreso than Raising Hell. That is, if you consider "the mainstream" to be suburban white kids. The urban black population knew about hip hop even before raisin hell. Run DMC even says the Beastie Boys are more responsible.
I love Biz Markie also. He's another of my "early" favorites