Exploring themes unusual for a hip hop record, the album was his first major commercial success and solidified his position as a torch-bearer for next generation soul-infused hip hop.Ĭommon’s penchant for musical experimentation laid the foundations for 2002’s “Electric Circus”, an eclectic mishmash of styles and influences which earned him four Grammy nominations. His follow up, “Like Water For Chocolate” released in 2000 to mass critical acclaim was produced by the Root’s own Questlove and legendary beat maestro Jay Dee. The birth of this daughter at the time became a life changing experience that reverberated through the albums tone and lyrics, resulting in the Lauryn Hill collaboration “Retrospect for Life” a male slant on abortion which became an instant classic.
His first two albums, “Can I Borrow a Dollar” and “Resurrection” were snapshots of a b-boy coming of age.ġ998’s “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” introduced Common to the burgeoning neo-soul scene of the time, teaming up with well-known artists of the genre Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Cee-lo. Since then his style has taken on many incarnations, from a street orientated, fast rapping trash-talker to an insightful and mature master of rhyme. He first introduced himself to the word as Common Sense with his first single “Take It EZ” where he schooled up-and-coming rappers on the hip hop game.
16 years after battling his way out of Chicago’s hip hop underground, Common is regarded as one of the pre-eminent MC’s and lyricists in the game today.
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