is it just me, or does Alphonso look like Raphael Saadiq?

Not to me.

But his character reminds me of JJ from Good Times.

He almost looks like this Guy from "A Different World" the one who played as Terrance Taylor Dr. War's Son whom Dewayne Wayne was Tutoring seen at 2:39-3:56 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vSXg8j7vkU

I can see how Alphonso could resemble Raphael.