Common (rapper)

Common (aka Common Sense, born Lonnie Rashied Lynn in 1972) is a Chicago-based hip hop artist. Common debuted in 1992 (see 1992 in music) with the single "Take It EZ" and the LP Can I Borrow a Dollar?. Though popular success was virtually nonexistent, Common established a solid fanbase among alternative rap fans who consider him a socially conscious rapper.

Related Topics:
1972 - Chicago - Hip hop - 1992 - 1992 in music - Can I Borrow a Dollar?

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With the 1994 (see 1994 in music), release of Resurrection, Common (known as Common Sense at the time), achieved a much larger degree of critical acclaim. The album sold well and received a strong positive reaction among alternative and underground hip-hop fans at the time. The album was also the last to be produced entirely with Common's long-time production partner, No ID. Unfortunately following the popularity of this album, Common Sense was sued by a ska band with the same name, and was forced to change his call sign to simply "Common".

Related Topics:
1994 - 1994 in music - Resurrection

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In 1997 (see 1997 in music), Common released One Day It'll All Make Sense, which included collaborations with artists like Lauryn Hill along with rappers like Q-Tip and Black Thought. The album was critically acclaimed and led to a major label contract with MCA Records.

Related Topics:
1997 - 1997 in music - One Day It'll All Make Sense - Lauryn Hill - Q-Tip - Black Thought - Major label - MCA Records

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With ?uestlove, Jay Dee, and DJ Premier producing, 2000's Like Water for Chocolate was almost a breakthrough success and greatly expanded Common's fanbase among critics and listeners. His next album, Electric Circus (2002, 2002 in music) gained mixed reviews and did not sell as well, with most fans rejecting Common's eclectic vision. His latest album, Be, was released in May of 2005, with most of the production handled by Kanye West. He also collaborated with John Mayer on the tune Go. According to magazines that review hip-hop music, Common's Be is one of the best albums to come out in a long time. The Source magazine has given it a near perfect 4.5 mic rating, XXL magazine has given it their highest rating of "XXL", and Allhiphop.com, an internet hip-hop website, has given it 5 stars. Common sees Be as a return to his roots.

Related Topics:
?uestlove - DJ Premier - Producing - 2000 - Like Water for Chocolate - Electric Circus - 2002 - 2002 in music - Be - 2005 - Kanye West - John Mayer - The Source - XXL

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