@Charles Burekeni I don't know when that transition took place but considering how Chicago rappers seemed to be heavily influenced by East Coast style of rap that was common in the 90s/early 2000s (no pun intended). Now alot of East Coast rappers have that drill sound, just like Chi-town. Crazy how it just spread like wildfire.
@Lord Farquaad yes.. Contrary to what others think, Black Americans do have our own culture, food, music, fashion, history, upbringing, etc that is unique to us.
Being creative and not being scared on taking risks making hit records that also have that classic feel to them and on top of that..having a real message is what makes kanye west a genius. Not many artist in music history have 10 classic albums 7 of his own and 3 as a producer for the rappers albums below.. Jay z - the blueprint Common - Be Pusha T - Daytona kanye has 84 platinum songs out of 184 songs 75 Grammy nominations.. the 4th most ever kanye won 24 Grammy's in total. Classics 🎖 Mainstream success 🎖 Critically acclaimed 🎖 All huge achievements it's super rare and kanye has influenced pretty much everyone we listen to. You can hate the man but you can't deny his one of a kind legendary career.
People who say Common and other similar rappers are underrated, underappreciated or under whatever where probably born after 2000. Common earned his stripes ages ago - he's a lyrical genius, rapper extraordinaire and master of flow, period!
Weren't u listening "This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes Riding in the regal, trying to stay legal"... For real i been bumping this a few times every year!
@@justinrussell3166 that shows you that popularity gets more attention than talent. Nowadays rappers are just known for popularity, not rap or Hip-Hop.
You trippin bro, EM, PAC, Nas, Biggie and Jay Z take top 5. Non negotiable. Common is great but there’s way too many great mcs that he don’t make the top 20 or even top 30.
In the 2000's when a lot of rap was good and hardcore, I really appreciated this and respected it a lot cuz Common was rapping about the community and being a positive influence. So while we had The Game, 50, Kanye, Snoop, Pharrel, Em, Dre, Busta , Big Pun and other good rappers rapping hard at the time, it was nice to hear a rapper like Common not rapping about the common things in the music industry.
FINALLY! This beat has been playin' in my head all evening. I couldn't think of the record. I gave this video a shot and voilà...I found it. I haven't heard this one in a minute. What an underrated artist. My goodness.
We Almost Lost Detroit by Gil-Scott Heron. For those who love the beat. It was also used for Brown Skin Lady by Blackstar. Common, Mos Def & Taleb Kweli are the right people to inherit this tune. Three of the greatest Emcee's to use a mic.
"from Englewood to a single hood in Botswana"...i love this song,not just because he mentions my home country Botswana but because its just too dope.Common the a G.O.A.T.
2:31: I was born in Botswana! Yeah but for real Common is quite refreshing even today. It gives me hope that no matter what happens i'll always be able to go back and listen to some good, wholesome hip hop. Peace, Love and Hip Hop.
Ive always been a fan of common but now I'm older I appreciate him alot more then back then. This man needs his roses and respect he deserves before he passes. If only we had more like him in the rap/hip hop game. This man is a living legend.
Troy IsAroundMyWay lupe never "fell off" u just pushed him out of your listening circle, look at the interview titled "lupe talks falling off" its great mann
Troy IsAroundMyWay Spoken like a person who really knows what's up. 'Food and Liquor' is a CLASSIC! 'The Cool' was a dope album with some mediocre tracks sprinkled lightly here and there. 'Laser' and anything after was garbage with one or two brilliant tracks buried in there somewhere. Hence the epic 'Form Follows Function' on the garbage Food and Liquor II album. I thought Lupe was gonna snatch the hip hop crown back in 2006. Can't believe he let me down.
Big up to Common, at 2:30 he's mentioning my country "From Englewood to a single hood in BOTSWANA"!!! I have never heard any big hip hop artist mentioning our country, even though Rick Ross came over here last year 31st December. Much appreciated Common!! Keep the light burning. . .
I remember watching this on Tv on B.e.t. channel in the morning before highschool over 11 years ago. Still bumping this in 2024. Power to the people ✊🏽
🎵"This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes Riding in the regal, trying to stay legal My daughter found Nemo, I found the new primo Ye' you know how we do, we do it for The People".🎶 Common is not only an underrated, Chi rap legend, his body of work (as far as conscious music is concerned) will always be timeless.
Noah R there are good underground rappers. but to say "a lot" are better than Common just shows your lack of knowledge on the subject, yikes. Common is one the biggest legends in his category.
Unpopular opinion here, but i personally feel that the best rapper, and i mean of all time, is none other than Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr aka Common! I like and respect many rappers with different styles, including Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Tupac, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Big Pun, Talib Kweli and more, but i feel when people bring up the discussion for the GOAT, Common gets severely under looked considering he never had any mainstream appeal and a lot of people have never listened to his stuff. So, why do i feel the way i do? To begin with, i feel Common is the epitome of a master poet/rapper/lyricist/artist, and i personally feel he is UNTOUCHABLE; sure, there are artists still living like Mos Def, Rakim, Nas and more who are incredible, and i mean incredible lyricists too, but how have their recent projects been like, remind me? Common makes a strong argument for what “lyrical” hip-hop should look like till now, offering vivid imagery and high emotional stakes rather than allowing any display of technical chops to get in the way. He lets his guests shine and wisely gets out of the way of both the production and the hooks when necessary, his own raps providing an anchor to a project that is, as a result, bigger than him. Additionally, his wordplay is incredibly underrated. 'I used to love her' is one of the best, and i mean best, songs of all time, regardless of genre. It is the definition of poetry. Heck, the whole 'Be' album (Shout out to Kanye and Dilla) and 'Like water for chocolate' album was an example of incredible poetry with accompaniment of smooth, soulful production, packed with wordplay which was thought provoking. Yes, he isn't mainstream, and i'm glad he isn't. Common has always remained true to himself and never sold out for fame (yes, he did start modelling, but i'm referring to musically selling out in order to have a mainstream hit song). Thirdly, i feel he is one of the greatest role models affiliated with the hip-hop genre. He is a great person and an even greater person. We have never known Common to be in trouble with the law. Common has never been in the media for anything negative. Common is a good Black man that your daughter or son can look up to. He supports many causes such as Black Lives Matter, PETA, and he is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation,an organisation that seeks to empower underprivileged youth to be strong citizens and citizens of the world. Not to mention, he and Kanye found 24k jobs for people in Chicago. If you want your child to listen to positive rap from a positive person, buy your child Common’s album. I know a lot of people will disagree with me with this, so feel free to share your opinions.
I remember always listening to this song in 2010 before migrating to the U.S. Now the song won't leave my head whenever I'm driving through Brooklyn and seeing all those neighborhoods and overhead train lines.
This beat is insane
Kanye 🐐
gil scott herron - we almost lost detroit
Kanye is a straight scientist comin up with sounds like this..hes a fuckin weirdo but a musical genius no doubt
@@Dr_Doomzday "name one genius that aint crazy!"
@@boxing1126 u can say whatever u like for kanye, but he made it
Common is the most unappreciated rapper ever
I was thinking the same exact thing. He's kept his poetic style his whole career. Very underappreciated.
I feel you brotha
+Forbes Ferrari YEP!!
+Forbes Ferrari say it louder....
absolutely
Common such a talented man.... Will be popping my head in 2023+. Anyone listening to this song forever
Always...
Common, Mos, The Roots et al. I’ll always listen to them.
Great music will never die
was just listening to Blue Sky so I swung by here too 🔥🙏🏽
We listening in July 2020 all the way from Namibia...
This song still gives me goosebumps. The beat is magnificent.
I thought it was just me who get the goosebumps feeling when I hear this. Wow.
@@morgancozart064 you’re not the only one, it’s a beautiful feeling.
@@morgancozart064 lll))l
Definitely
Me too, especially the chorus- soothes my soul 💜💜💜💜💜, who sings it?
Kanye and Common really ran Chi town for like a solid decade. This is pure gold. This has to be one of Kanye's best beats of all time
Twista too
@@waderoyal_ facts
How did Chicago go from this poetic, smooth almost backpacker like hip hop to the ratchet ass savagery that is drill? 🤔
Lupe Fiasco was very underrated and also held it down for the Chi
@Charles Burekeni I don't know when that transition took place but considering how Chicago rappers seemed to be heavily influenced by East Coast style of rap that was common in the 90s/early 2000s (no pun intended). Now alot of East Coast rappers have that drill sound, just like Chi-town. Crazy how it just spread like wildfire.
"The People" is simply one of the best songs ever; all genres combined.
Maka Velli k
Relax
No, it truly isnt
@@Theo9.8 you're a hater. One of you born everyday
@@jonathanmurphy4825 Call me what you will, doesnt make my stayement less true
It’s 2024 and we still here 14 years later. Truly a timeless classic
yes!
You already know!
Fire! 🔥
Here in 2021 and this song hits way different than it did in 2009 for many reasons. A tune for the ages. Thank you, Common!
Here in mid 2021 and it really do hit different even more now
For the ages 💯💪🏾
💛
2007*
07
I swear this song makes me think of my community and how I can help change the way things are
+Munkee D. Luffy arent you busy enough trying to be da pirate king daawg
Do It !
That's Hip Hop for you.
The power of real music
That was the plan.
Common embodies what true hip hop is.
Facts 💯
Amen to that.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Yep. Region be damned. He's could match any mc from the NY tri-state area.
Amen
This is the type of music that makes you believe in our culture in a way the world don’t.
I believe in your culture and any movement that looks to protect it and the curators(the people) of it.
@Lord Farquaad yes.. Contrary to what others think, Black Americans do have our own culture, food, music, fashion, history, upbringing, etc that is unique to us.
Doesn't
😂🤦🏼♂️
@@tiffany171720052005 They know we have a culture.. They emulate us every damn day.
I miss 2007, man. I was 12 at the time but I wish I can be that young and carefree again. I teared up watching this music video as a 29 year old.
I was 27. life was amazing for me then. I had my son that year
@@tiffanyholloway2800 sounds like having your child is a precious, wonderful memory for you 😊 I myself want kids someday… I hope 30 isn’t too old
I'm 63 I love him
I was 20 His new album with Pete Rock is amazing
U lucky. I wish I lived through that 2000s era with rappers like Wayne, common, Lupe, Jay z, 50 and Jay electronica.
Prime Kanye and Common. This song is absolute fire
Prime kanye and common was a couple years earlier on be
Almost lost detroit beat chopped and sped up
Really glad I got to grow up listening to ye and common...they were definitely huge Influences in my life
Chicagostand up!
Kanye made this beat?
‘Can’t leave rap alone the streets need me’
Beautiful nod to Hova btw👏🏿
It's;
"can't leave rap alone,
The game needs me" when HOV said it, but still a huge nod to the Brooklyn boy ✌️
The world would be a much better place if everyone listened to Common mans a genius
Anel Beganović Agreed #commonTheRootsearly2000music
And don't forget Outkast
*Sorry Ms Jackson I am For Real Never meant to make yo daughter cry I apologize a million times*
-Andre 3000 and Big Boy
ChefD true
Facts been listening to this nigga since the 4th grade son intellectual hip hop right here
"I found the new premo"
The level of respect Common had for Ye.
man !
Why did they even spilt up anyway?
@@kujakubes241 Probably that Maga hat bullshit he was on. We all know common ain't with that shit lol
or dilla, this song was made shortly after he died
@@jdillasmpc2774 Yep According to the Xtra interview, Ye’s Beats on FF was emulating Dilla’s production as a homage. Pretty sure he heard Donuts 🍩
Common look like that Uncle errybody wants
I agree
So true
yeah kanye is a great producer.. you can also here it in colaborations with jayz
Yeah the uncle from spiderman lmao
Uncle Vincent!
Kanyes production in the 2000s was just insane.
Was as loud as him
Being creative and not being scared on taking risks making hit records that also have that classic feel to them and on top of that..having a real message is what makes kanye west a genius. Not many artist in music history have 10 classic albums 7 of his own and 3 as a producer for the rappers albums below..
Jay z - the blueprint
Common - Be
Pusha T - Daytona
kanye has 84 platinum songs out of 184 songs
75 Grammy nominations.. the 4th most ever kanye won 24 Grammy's in total.
Classics 🎖
Mainstream success 🎖
Critically acclaimed 🎖
All huge achievements it's super rare and kanye has influenced pretty much everyone we listen to. You can hate the man but you can't deny his one of a kind legendary career.
One of hip hop's greatest songs 🎤
Nothing common about this brother, his on his own level❤
Kanye's beats are so sick.
Kanye once upon a time.
Not ye but no id
Sampled from Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson's "We Almost Lost Detroit"
IRONOXCIDE Kanye did this. Stop capping
@@moeketsiramosana5742 thank you i was gonna say it
Listening today, can't control tears falling down, we the people, when can we all have a smile on our faces?
Keep you head up
My mom died covid 2020 she took my CD just for this song ..trying not to cry Mother's Day this sunday
Aww
Exactly!
Common is one of the best lyricists to ever touch the Mic 🔥 🔥 🔥
Common is so underrated. My wife worked him once and said he was one of the most polite gentleman she’s ever met.
How comes Common ain't talked about among the greatest MCs
The way they chopped "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott Heron is unbelievable! That flute chop is crazy.
Great find mate.
People who say Common and other similar rappers are underrated, underappreciated or under whatever where probably born after 2000. Common earned his stripes ages ago - he's a lyrical genius, rapper extraordinaire and master of flow, period!
This beat is still insane
kanye
Dwele killed this chorus!! Always loved his voice!
Thanks didnt know that was dwele
Dwele so underrated as a r&b singa
"To a single hood in Botswana"
🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼 Respect ✊
this is Hip hop,
For real
Weren't u listening "This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes
Riding in the regal, trying to stay legal"... For real i been bumping this a few times every year!
Peace, love, unity, having fun
MERCY OMOLLO yes ma’am real music thinkin music
Pure.
No cussing, no nudity, no heavy chains and all. Just pure talent.
First off over used comment. Second he says nigga so there are curse words
@@yeeyeekaree1107 are u black ?
@@yeeyeekaree1107 the fact that people are still writing comments like these is proof the youtube comments section will never change lol
@@charles_binglebonkus fr
Corny ass comment
I slept on Common I must admit. He got to be in my top five mc's of all time.
This song gives me chills
Just what I was thinking!
@@justinrussell3166 that shows you that popularity gets more attention than talent. Nowadays rappers are just known for popularity, not rap or Hip-Hop.
He's a Legend bruh
You trippin bro, EM, PAC, Nas, Biggie and Jay Z take top 5. Non negotiable. Common is great but there’s way too many great mcs that he don’t make the top 20 or even top 30.
Common: "To a single hood in Botswana" me: "yeah baby! my fairly unknown country got a shout out, we made it!!" lol
+Bame Sanah Keabetswe Check out Sean Price's (R.I.P.) "Figure Four"
lol
Looool I know how that feels, Nas mentioned Zimbabwe once
+wayne shamba road to zion with damien marley
shout out to your country bro
When common and Kanye work together they're like like Jordan and pippen.
Or Bonner and Araujo.
or chris jones and vince g
+ctaylah Or Forest Gump and Bubba
Common - Jordan
No I.D. - Pippen
Kanye - Phil Jackson
+ctaylah Problem being Kanye wants to be Jordan, being Pippen won't cut it for him.
Still rocking it 14 years later 🙏🔥🔥🔥
I forgot about this song. All star reminded me
Rob same here bro! Now this is gonna stick for a long time
Straight up facts...i heard tha lil flute in the back and somethin clicked
EXACTLY...........THE PEOPLE💕💕
The beat crazy
That’s facts lol I had to ask Siri what beat that was 😂
Kanye went ultra instinct on this beat
This song is black love+black awareness= Black Empowerment!!!
BLACK FIRST!!!✊🏿
I dont think its about the colour. Be colour blind.
Nah, GOD 1st. 👌🏿
This always brings tears to my eyes for some reason! ❤ Strength, Beauty, Pain all in one
You're not the only one 😭 first time I saw this vid, I was like wtf? I'm tearing up!😅
He did such a good job in the All Star game, as a Chicagoan I was so proud of how he represented my beautiful city.
I'm from N.Y. but you're right !... He did his thing. Be proud!.. #Facts
Speak that shit! I'm from da Crib too and yes he did a magnificent job! #COMMON #MYBRO4LIFE #CHITOWN4EVA
SouthSide!
Humboldt Park baby
@@jvilla8704 Peace to all my puerto ricans over there 🇵🇷
Common can run for mayor of Chicago and get elected just because of this song and video
THIS
he needs to reach the dog yoga demographic too
Half this video was filmed in NYC
So can twista and do or die in my opinion chi legends
Common would probably beat that idiot Trump this election nationwide.
Common is one of the greatest rappers ever. One of very few "Conscious Rappers" left.
I love his growth as a man and lyricist. No matter where on the planet I am, His voice always feels like home. Love you, Brother ❤❤👊🏾👊🏾 🎤 🎤🎤🎤🎤
I feel inspired everytime I hear this.
In the 2000's when a lot of rap was good and hardcore, I really appreciated this and respected it a lot cuz Common was rapping about the community and being a positive influence. So while we had The Game, 50, Kanye, Snoop, Pharrel, Em, Dre, Busta , Big Pun and other good rappers rapping hard at the time, it was nice to hear a rapper like Common not rapping about the common things in the music industry.
Don’t forget jay z
I wish Dre would have made something with The Game, Eve & Busta Rhymes when he had them. Music was so dope in 2000s.
Just for that, his name really should've been UnCommon. 😄
Kanye produced this whole album. Bar 2 tracks by dilla. Remember that.
Kanye also rapped about uncommon things as well. He was THE eccentric rapper of the 2000s together with the OutKast. What are you talking about 😂
Common's underrated
FACTS bro
Depends on who's doing the rating.
one of the best songs of all time
Common and Kanye with the beats 🔥🔥 we need another album like “Be” or “Finding forever”
FINALLY! This beat has been playin' in my head all evening. I couldn't think of the record. I gave this video a shot and voilà...I found it. I haven't heard this one in a minute. What an underrated artist. My goodness.
That beat is just life!
Do you know what faith is? Something about love, and life. The fire doesn’t burn..
We must protect him at all costs.
Yes
this is the type of music should the people be listening to
***** lol right my sista
right!! Hip-Hop needs Common now more than ever
We Almost Lost Detroit by Gil-Scott Heron. For those who love the beat. It was also used for Brown Skin Lady by Blackstar. Common, Mos Def & Taleb Kweli are the right people to inherit this tune. Three of the greatest Emcee's to use a mic.
jay townsend lol not even close. L
Hashmat Ali 9th Wonder also used this same sample for a Rapsody joint.
wow... both great songs... amazing
Also U God used it for skyscrapers song on his keynote speaker album
@@drednok3569 ឱ
One of the greatest songs of all time
scary that this is almost 10 years old, what a jam
feels so weird. time passes quick.
@@alpiwiththebigballsthis comment was 6 years ago. Yes it does❗ 🕣
Wish Common walk in my neighborhood. Give him a hug.
"from Englewood to a single hood in Botswana"...i love this song,not just because he mentions my home country Botswana but because its just too dope.Common the a G.O.A.T.
Bumpin this from a single hood in Botswana
2:31: I was born in Botswana!
Yeah but for real Common is quite refreshing even today. It gives me hope that no matter what happens i'll always be able to go back and listen to some good, wholesome hip hop.
Peace, Love and Hip Hop.
Now this is real HIP-HOP!!
Ive always been a fan of common but now I'm older I appreciate him alot more then back then. This man needs his roses and respect he deserves before he passes. If only we had more like him in the rap/hip hop game. This man is a living legend.
Prince Jackson just posted this song in Instagram revealing that his father MJ used to listen to this song
I say common is the definition of intelligence
You must have not heard of Lupe Fiasco
Him and loupe fiasco are both very intelligent
Chirag Shah Lupe ain't as good as Common. Plus he fell of...
Troy IsAroundMyWay lupe never "fell off" u just pushed him out of your listening circle, look at the interview titled "lupe talks falling off" its great mann
Troy IsAroundMyWay Spoken like a person who really knows what's up. 'Food and Liquor' is a CLASSIC! 'The Cool' was a dope album with some mediocre tracks sprinkled lightly here and there. 'Laser' and anything after was garbage with one or two brilliant tracks buried in there somewhere. Hence the epic 'Form Follows Function' on the garbage Food and Liquor II album. I thought Lupe was gonna snatch the hip hop crown back in 2006. Can't believe he let me down.
Big up to Common, at 2:30 he's mentioning my country "From Englewood to a single hood in BOTSWANA"!!! I have never heard any big hip hop artist mentioning our country, even though Rick Ross came over here last year 31st December. Much appreciated Common!! Keep the light burning. . .
I remember watching this on Tv on B.e.t. channel in the morning before highschool over 11 years ago. Still bumping this in 2024. Power to the people ✊🏽
This was back when Kanye was on top of his game making beats..now he's rich and not as hungry and that Kardashian curse is in full effect
I love Common, he’s so pure.
How did you hear about this song?
WOW. I can feel the sincerity in the song. I think a tear almost came from my eye.
I feel you,this song gets you a little emotional!..
Because the song is so good me too
Can never stop listening to this
Just watch Common performance at Millennium Park in Chicago. Love it
thanx 4 recognising our peaceful n quite nation botswana. such an honour.
n this is ur best record ever.
Kanye was in MAD SCIENTIST mode when he made this beat! And Common came super correct on this gem of a song. CLASSIC!
Probably my favorite song by Common. Soul-igniting!
Common and Kanye together is pure magic. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sorry mate, Kanye who? That fool friend of Donald Trump who now goes to Central Park to feed pigeons? Common certainly has no need for that.
”I’m keeping my eyes on the people that’s the prize.”
Common’s best line in the song.
REAL Hip-Hop!!
2021 gang 📢📢
One of the greatest music videos, beats, songs of all time. Thank you Common
2024 anyone ?
Real hip hop is like your favorite restaurant...you might stop going for a while, but you will always return!
Saw common on IG, and this popped in my head. I had to come looking.
Still
yes!
Yes indeed
The thing I love about this is not only the lyrics, but the beat. It's so good and so simple. I miss this kind of rap.
I had to listen to this song again to really appreciate the message and the beat.
Perfect theme song for the current revolution ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
This is Common’s best song. FIGHT ME!
absolutely
Use to flow to this in high school...man the memories
Cameron Williams so did I ...this is my jam still
+Davanna Baxter oh yes! This & "the light!" Maaann I like those songs
same here maaaannnnn......sighs....
Same
I wish Life would be like this peace an Love people smiling no wrinkles in their faces
Goosebumps just how this song seems soo relevant now more than its ever been
Say no more
Yeah, everytime I listen and view this joint, I get misty-eyed cause it's for everyone that's making it happen everyday!👍🏾🙏🏾
🎵"This is street ra-dio, for unsung heroes
Riding in the regal, trying to stay legal
My daughter found Nemo, I found the new primo
Ye' you know how we do, we do it for The People".🎶
Common is not only an underrated, Chi rap legend, his body of work (as far as conscious music is concerned) will always be timeless.
sometimes is better that a song stays under the radar. Pure Jewel, OMG.
This should have way more than 10 million views.
Look spotify this has like 700 million
Still here today. This shit bangs 🎵
One of them songs where you can replay it over and over again ! I was born in the year of 2000 so I know good music 😊
Classic Kanye. Beautiful. Common with the infinite positivity.
One of the very few MCs left on the mic.
Perhaps on the radio mic but there are plenty of MC's underground.
and a lot of them better than common.
Noah R Yeah, like my dad almost. Cipher 313 MRM Elite on Soundcloud
Noah R there are good underground rappers. but to say "a lot" are better than Common just shows your lack of knowledge on the subject, yikes. Common is one the biggest legends in his category.
David Buck lol you're trolling right?
Kanye is a DAWG for this beat 🔥
I am deaf, no matter, if I can't understand his words. Over all, this is an overall awesome person!
I pray you are healed my friend . Ask for it.
This song just gives me a great feeling!
Unpopular opinion here, but i personally feel that the best rapper, and i mean of all time, is none other than Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr aka Common! I like and respect many rappers with different styles, including Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Tupac, Rakim, Ghostface Killah, Big Pun, Talib Kweli and more, but i feel when people bring up the discussion for the GOAT, Common gets severely under looked considering he never had any mainstream appeal and a lot of people have never listened to his stuff.
So, why do i feel the way i do? To begin with, i feel Common is the epitome of a master poet/rapper/lyricist/artist, and i personally feel he is UNTOUCHABLE; sure, there are artists still living like Mos Def, Rakim, Nas and more who are incredible, and i mean incredible lyricists too, but how have their recent projects been like, remind me? Common makes a strong argument for what “lyrical” hip-hop should look like till now, offering vivid imagery and high emotional stakes rather than allowing any display of technical chops to get in the way. He lets his guests shine and wisely gets out of the way of both the production and the hooks when necessary, his own raps providing an anchor to a project that is, as a result, bigger than him.
Additionally, his wordplay is incredibly underrated. 'I used to love her' is one of the best, and i mean best, songs of all time, regardless of genre. It is the definition of poetry. Heck, the whole 'Be' album (Shout out to Kanye and Dilla) and 'Like water for chocolate' album was an example of incredible poetry with accompaniment of smooth, soulful production, packed with wordplay which was thought provoking. Yes, he isn't mainstream, and i'm glad he isn't. Common has always remained true to himself and never sold out for fame (yes, he did start modelling, but i'm referring to musically selling out in order to have a mainstream hit song).
Thirdly, i feel he is one of the greatest role models affiliated with the hip-hop genre. He is a great person and an even greater person. We have never known Common to be in trouble with the law. Common has never been in the media for anything negative. Common is a good Black man that your daughter or son can look up to. He supports many causes such as Black Lives Matter, PETA, and he is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation,an organisation that seeks to empower underprivileged youth to be strong citizens and citizens of the world. Not to mention, he and Kanye found 24k jobs for people in Chicago. If you want your child to listen to positive rap from a positive person, buy your child Common’s album.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me with this, so feel free to share your opinions.
+Random John Cena Lookalike I´m past that "who is the best" childhood shit mate but nobody touches com in fairness. he is too dope. nice post
tomas horvath :)
Shockheadd45 lemme check this outl.
I'd respect your opinion more if your profile wasn't dedicated to John Cena
***** you're just jealous you can't see me.
This song should have more likes
I remember always listening to this song in 2010 before migrating to the U.S. Now the song won't leave my head whenever I'm driving through Brooklyn and seeing all those neighborhoods and overhead train lines.