Common | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Common performing in 2018 | |
| Born | Lonnie Rashid Lynn (1972-03-13)March 13, 1972 (age 53) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Education | Florida A&M University (BS) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Works | |
| Partner | Jennifer Hudson (2022–present) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents |
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| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Member of | |
| Producer(s) | |
| Website | www |
Musical artist | |
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Lonnie Rashid Lynn (born March 13, 1972), known professionally asCommon (formerly known asCommon Sense), is an American rapper and actor. The recipient of threeGrammy Awards, anAcademy Award, aPrimetime Emmy Award, and aGolden Globe Award, he signed with the independent labelRelativity Records at the age of 20. The label released his first three studio albums:Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992),Resurrection (1994) andOne Day It'll All Make Sense (1997). He maintained anunderground following into the late 1990s, and achieved mainstream success through his work with theBlack music collectiveSoulquarians.[2]
After attaining amajor label record deal, he released his fourth and fifth albums,Like Water for Chocolate (2000) andElectric Circus (2002), to continued acclaim and modest commercial response.[3] He guest performed on fellow Soulquarian,Erykah Badu's 2003 single, "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)", which became his highest entry — at number nine — on theBillboard Hot 100 and wonBest R&B Song at the45th Annual Grammy Awards.[4] He signed with fellow Chicago rapperKanye West's record labelGOOD Music, in a joint venture withGeffen Records to release his sixth and seventh albumsBe (2005) andFinding Forever (2007); both were nominated forBest Rap Album Grammys, while the latter became his first to debut atop theBillboard 200 and contained the song "Southside" (featuring Kanye West), the recipient ofBest Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the50th Annual Grammy Awards. His eighth album,Universal Mind Control (2008), was met with a critical decline and served as his final release with GOOD.
Common's label imprint, Think Common Entertainment, was founded in 2011 and entered a joint venture withWarner Bros. Records to release his ninth album,The Dreamer/The Believer (2011), and laterNo I.D.'sARTium Recordings, an imprint ofDef Jam Recordings to release his tenth album,Nobody's Smiling (2014). Both received critical praise and further discussed social issues inBlack America; his eleventh album,Black America Again (2016) saw widespread critical acclaim and served as his final release on amajor label.[5][6] Signing a contract withLoma Vista, he later released his twelfth albumLet Love (2019), thirteenth albumA Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1 (2020), and fourteenth albumA Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2 (2021), to positive reviews. For collaborative effort, he worked withKarriem Riggins andRobert Glasper on the albumAugust Greene (2018) under thesupergroup of the same name, and with Pete Rock on the albumThe Auditorium Vol. 1 (2024).
Lynn won theAcademy Award for Best Original Song for his song "Glory" (withJohn Legend), which he released for the filmSelma (2014), wherein he co-starred ascivil rights leaderJames Bevel. His other film roles includeSmokin' Aces (2006),Street Kings (2008),American Gangster (2007),Wanted (2008),Date Night (2010),Just Wright (2010),Happy Feet Two (2011),Now You See Me (2013)Run All Night (2015),John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017),Smallfoot (2018),Alice (2022), andFool's Paradise (2023). In television, he starred as Elam Ferguson inAMCwestern seriesHell on Wheels from 2011 to 2014, and has played a supporting role in theApple TV+ science fiction seriesSilo since 2023. His song "Letter to the Free" was released for theAva DuVernay-directedNetflix documentary13th (2017), for which he won thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. He made hisBroadway acting debut on the playBetween Riverside and Crazy (2023), which won aPulitzer Prize for Drama.[7]
Lonnie Rashid Lynn[8][9][10] was born on March 13, 1972, at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.[11] He is the son of educator and former principal ofJohn Hope College Preparatory High School, Mahalia Ann Hines,[12] and formerABA basketball player turned youth counselorLonnie Lynn.[13] Lynn shares the same first name as his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.[14] He is known by his middle name, Rashid, to his family and friends.[15] Lynn's godfather is basketball playerSpencer Haywood who was a teammate of his father on theDenver Rockets.[14]
Lynn was raised in theCalumet Heights neighborhood.[16][17][18][19] His father left the family because of his drug and alcohol addictions while Lynn was young.[14] When he was aged two, Lynn's father attempted to take him and his mother toSeattle, where he had arranged a tryout with theSeattle SuperSonics.[14] His father was arrested when the family stopped at a motel inWisconsin and charged with false imprisonment.[20]
Lynn's parents divorced in the late 1970s, resulting in his father moving toDenver, Colorado.[21][13] This left Lynn to be raised by his mother; however, his father remained active in his life, and was able to get him a job as a ballboy with theChicago Bulls when he was 11, also witnessingMichael Jordan's first professional exhibition game.[22] Lynn attendedFlorida A&M University (FAMU) for two years under a scholarship and majored inbusiness administration[23] in the School of Business and Industry.[24]
Common's music has embraced several styles, includingMidwestern hip-hop,neo soul[25] andprogressive rap.[26]
Lynn began rapping in the late 1980s, while a student atLuther High School South in Chicago, when he, along with two of his friends, formed C.D.R., a rap trio that opened for acts such asN.W.A andBig Daddy Kane.[27] When C.D.R dissolved by 1991, Lynn began a solo career under the stage name of Common Sense.[28] After being featured in theUnsigned Hype column ofThe Source magazine, he debuted as a solo artist in 1992 with the single "Take It EZ", followed by the albumCan I Borrow a Dollar?.[29][30][31]
With the 1994 release ofResurrection, Common Sense achieved a much larger degree of critical acclaim which extended beyond the Chicago music scene.[citation needed] The album sold relatively well and received a strong positive reaction amongalternative andunderground hip hop fans at the time.Resurrection was Common Sense's last album produced almost entirely by his long-time production partner,No I.D., who would later become a mentor to a youngKanye West.[citation needed]
In 1996, Common Sense appeared on theRed Hot Organization's compilation CD,America Is Dying Slowly (A.I.D.S.), alongsideBiz Markie,Wu-Tang Clan, andFat Joe, among many other prominent hip hop artists.[citation needed] The CD, meant to raise awareness of theHIV/AIDS epidemic amongAfrican American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" byThe Source magazine.[citation needed] He would later also contribute to theRed Hot Organization'sFela Kuti tribute album,Red Hot and Riot in 2002. He collaborated withDjelimady Tounkara on a remake of Kuti's track, "Years of Tears and Sorrow".[citation needed]
The song "I Used to Love H.E.R." fromResurrection ignited afeud withWest Coast rap groupWestside Connection. The lyrics of the song criticized the path hip hop music was taking, using a metaphor of a woman to convey hip hop[32] and were interpreted by some as directing blame towards the popularity of West Coastgangsta rap. Westside Connection first responded with the 1995 song "Westside Slaughterhouse," with the lyrics "Used to love H.E.R., mad cause I f*cked her". "Westside Slaughterhouse" also mentioned Common Sense by name, prompting the rapper to respond with the scathingPete Rock-produced attack song "The Bitch in Yoo". Common Sense and Westside Connection continued to insult each other back and forth before finally meeting withLouis Farrakhan and setting aside their dispute. Following the popularity ofResurrection, Common Sense was sued by anOrange County-basedreggae band with thesame name, and was forced to shorten his moniker to simply Common.[33]
Initially scheduled for an October 1996 release, Common released his third album,One Day It'll All Make Sense, in September 1997. The album took a total of two years to complete and included collaborations with artists such asLauryn Hill,De La Soul,Q-Tip,Canibus,Black Thought,Chantay Savage, andQuestlove – a future fellow member of theSoulquarians outfit. The album, which made a point of eschewing any gangsterism (in response to questions about his musical integrity), was critically acclaimed and led to amajor label contract withMCA Records. In addition to releasingOne Day, Common's first child, daughter Omoye Assata Lynn, was born shortly after the release of the album.
As documented by hip-hop journalist Raquel Cepeda, in the liner notes for the album, this event had a profound spiritual and mental effect on Common and enabled him to grow musically while becoming more responsible as an artist. She writes:
Rashid found out that he was going to become a daddy in about 8 months. Stunned and confused, Rashid had life-altering decisions to make with his girlfriend, Kim Jones. The situation led to the composition of his favorite cut onOne Day... that offers a male slant on abortion. "Retrospect for Life", produced byJames Poyser andNo I.D. featuringLauryn Hill (who was due on the same day as Rashid's girlfriend), is the song that is the driving force behind the project. Rashid listens to "Retrospect for Life" today at the mastering session geeked as if it were for the first time. He tells me as we listen to L-Boogie wail the chorus, "when I listen to the song now, I think about how precious her (Omoye's) life is".
Common addresses family ethics several times onOne Day..., and the album sleeve is decorated with old family photos, illustrating the rapper's childhood, as well a quote from1 Corinthians 13:11, which summarizes the path to manhood:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
FollowingOne Day..., Common signed a major label record deal withMCA Records and relocated from Chicago to New York City in 1999. He began recording almost exclusively with a loose collective of musicians and artists (dubbed the "Soulquarians" by central figureQuestlove) throughout 1999, and made a few sporadic guest appearances onThe Roots'Things Fall Apart, and theRawkus Records compilation,Soundbombing 2.
In 2000, his fourth album,Like Water for Chocolate, was released to mass critical acclaim.Executive produced by Questlove and featuring significant contributions byJ Dilla, (who helmed every track except – "Cold Blooded", "Geto Heaven Part II", "A Song For Assata", "Pop's Rap Part 3...All My Children" & theDJ Premier-produced track "The 6th Sense"),Like Water for Chocolate transpired to be a considerable commercial breakthrough for Common, earning the rapper his firstgold record, and greatly expanding his fanbase among critics and listeners alike.
With both artists hailing from theGreat Lakes region of the United States (Chicago and Detroit, respectively), Common andJ Dilla established their chemistry early on. Both became members of theSoulquarians collective, and collaborated on numerous projects together, even placing one song, "Thelonius", on both theSlum Village albumFantastic, Vol. 2, and Common'sLike Water for Chocolate. As Dilla's health began to decline from the effects ofLupus Nephritis, he relocated to Los Angeles, and asked Common to make the move with him as a roommate (Dilla would later lose his battle with the rare disease).[34]
This album saw Common exploring themes (musically and lyrically), which were uncommon for a hip-hop record, as he does on the song "Time Travelin' (A Tribute To Fela)"; a homage toNigerian music legend, and political activistFela Kuti. The most popular single from the album "The Light" was nominated for aGrammy Award.
In 2002, Common released his fifth album,Electric Circus. The album was highly anticipated and praised by many critics for its ambitious vision. However, it was not as commercially successful as his previous album,Like Water for Chocolate, selling under 300,000 copies. An eclectic album,Electric Circus featured fusions of several genres such as hip hop, pop, rock, electronic, and neo-soul. The album's style tended to divide critics; some praised its ambitious vision while others criticized it for the same reason. Most of the criticism tended to revolve around the album's experimental nature; some felt Common had strayed too far from his previous sound. This was Common's second and last album for MCA, and the label's final release prior to its absorption into Geffen Records.
Around this time, Common appeared as a guest performer on singer and fellow SoulquarianBilal'sLove for Sale album, recording a remake of the 1977Fela Kuti song "Sorrow, Tears & Blood".[35] Bilal also featured onElectric Circus, the first of many future collaborations with Common.[36]
In early 2004, Common made an appearance on fellow Chicagoan Kanye West's multi-platinum debut album,The College Dropout (on the song "Get Em High"), and announced his signing to West's then-newfound labelGOOD Music. West had been a longtime fan of Common and the two even participated in a friendly on-air MC battle, where West took jabs at his lyrical idol for "going soft" and wearing crochet pants (as he does for his appearance in the video for theMary J. Blige song "Dance for Me"). The pair worked together on Common's next album,Be, almost entirely produced by Kanye West, with some help from Common's longtime collaboratorJames Yancey (J Dilla) – also a favorite of West. The album was released in May 2005, and performed very well, boosted by Kanye's involvement and the singles "The Corner", and "Go".Be earned Common the second gold record of his career, with sales topping out at around 800,000 copies.The Source magazine gave it a near-perfect 4.5 mic rating,XXL magazine gave it their highest rating of "XXL", and AllHipHop gave the album 4 stars. The album was also nominated for four Grammy Awards in 2006.
Following the release ofBe in 2005, several mixed-race artists from the UK hip-hop scene took exception to Common's comments about interracial relationships on the song "Real People."Yungun,Doc Brown and Rising Son recorded a track over an instrumental version of "The Corner" named "Dear Common (The Corner Dub)." Common states that he has heard of the track but never actually taken the time to listen to it, and has not retaliated in song.[37]
Common's seventh LP titledFinding Forever was released on July 31, 2007. For this album, he continued his work withKanye West, as well as other producers such asWill.i.am,Devo Springsteen,Derrick Hodge, andKarriem Riggins, as well as the onlyJ Dilla-produced track, "So Far To Go". The album features guest spots from artists such asDwele,Bilal,D'Angelo, and UK pop starletLily Allen. The first single from the album was "The People" b/w "The Game". West predicted thatFinding Forever would win the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.[38] The album was nominated for Best Rap Album, but did not win, losing to West'sGraduation; however, Common did win his second Grammy for "Southside," which won the 2008 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group.On July 31, 2007, Common performed a free concert in Santa Monica, California, on the 3rd Street Promenade to promote the release ofFinding Forever. Common explained to the audience that the title "Finding Forever" represented his quest to find an eternal place in hip-hop and also his wishes to be an artist for the rest of his life. The album debuted at No. 1 on the nationalBillboard 200 charts.
In an August 2007 interview withXXL, rapperQ-Tip of the groupA Tribe Called Quest stated that he and Common were forming a group called 'The Standard', and were planning to record an album to be produced by Q-Tip; however, this never came to fruition.[39]
Common was instrumental in bridging the trans-Atlantic gap by signing UK's Mr. Wong and J2K to Kanye West's Getting Out Our Dreams recording outfit. Common met the pair during his tour in the UK earlier on in the year. It is speculated that the deal is not only to bring the UK and US hip hop genres together but that to rival Syco Music's cross-Atlantic success with Leona Lewis. He also has a deal with Zune mp3 players. In 2008 Common made an estimated 12 million dollars, making him equal in earnings toEminem andAkon, tied for the 13th highest grossing Hip-Hop artist.[citation needed]
The eighth album from Chicago hip-hop artist Common was originally scheduled to be released on June 24, 2008, under the nameInvincible Summer, but he announced at aTemple University concert that he would change it toUniversal Mind Control.[40] The release date was pushed back to September 30, 2008, due to Common filmingWanted. The release date was set for November 11, 2008, however, it was once again pushed back to December 9, 2008.
The album'seponymouslead single "Universal Mind Control", was officially released on July 1, 2008, via the US iTunes Store as part ofThe Announcement EP (sold asUniversal Mind Control EP in the UK). The song features Pharrell, who also produced the track.The Announcement EP included an additional track titled "Announcement", also featuring Pharrell. The video for the lead single was filmed in September by director Hype Williams. In 2009, Common was prominently featured throughout his GOOD Music label-mateKid Cudi's debut albumMan on the Moon: The End of Day, as a narrator and featured artist. In late 2009, it was revealed Common was nominated for twoGrammys at the52nd Annual Grammy Awards, includingBest Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Make Her Say", alongside Kid Cudi and Kanye West, as well asBest Rap Album forUniversal Mind Control.
American producerNo I.D., stated that he andKanye West would be producing Common's albumThe Dreamer/The Believer.[41] In July 2011, it was announced that No I.D. would be the album's sole producer.[42] Common made an appearance onThe Jonas Brothers' most recent album,Lines, Vines and Trying Times as a guest rapper for the group's 2009 song, "Don't Charge Me for the Crime."[43]
On July 6, 2011, Common released his first single, titled "Ghetto Dreams", from his next album. A second single, "Blue Sky", was released on October 4, 2011. On December 20, 2011, Common released his ninth solo album, titledThe Dreamer, The Believer. Although he left GOOD Music in 2011, Common was featured on the label's first compilation album, 2012'sCruel Summer. Common released a song entitled "Sweet", fromThe Dreamer/The Believer, which included lyrics critical of rappers who sing, although this criticism was not aimed specifically at Canadian recording artistDrake.[44] Drake took offense and responded by releasing "Stay Schemin'", a song withRick Ross andFrench Montana.[45] Common fans only had to wait two-and-a-half days for him to respond to Drake'sdiss track. On February 13, 2012, Common commented on the feud by saying "It's over. But it was all in the art of hip hop. He said some things to me so I had to say some things back...I wouldn't say [he started it] but I know I heard something that I felt was directed to me so I addressed it. That's all. But you know, thank God we were able to move forward from it and all is good."[46]
After a quiet 2012, Common announced he would release anextended play (EP) in January 2013, and his firstmixtape in April.[47] In February 2013, Common announced his tenth solo studio album would be released in September 2013 and will featureKanye West and production from Kanye West andNo I.D.[47] Later on September 8, 2013, he gave an update to his projects saying the previously announced EP would be released soon, and would feature a song with new Def Jam signeeVince Staples. He also told HipHopDX, his tenth solo studio album would be released in early 2014.[48]
On January 6, 2014, Common announced his tenth studio album to be titledNobody's Smiling and would be produced entirely by longtime collaborator 'No I.D.'. The album, which Common revealed was originally going to be an EP, is set to featureVince Staples,James Fauntleroy and "some new artists from Chicago." The concept of the album was inspired by his troubled hometown of Chicago: "We came up with this concept 'nobody's smiling.' It was really a thought that came about because of all the violence in Chicago," he says. "It happens in Chicago, but it's happening around the world in many ways." He continues, "We was talking about the conditions of what's happening, when I say 'nobody's smiling.' But it's really a call to action."[49][50][51] On June 4, 2014, it was announced Common signed a recording contract withDef Jam Recordings and No I.D.'s Artium Records.[52] It was also announcedNobody's Smiling would be released July 22, 2014.[52] Lonnie "Pops" Lynn was to be featured on this album as well but the recording fell through as Lonnie's health declined. A recording was indeed made and is in process of being released on Dirty Laboratory Productions featuring production byAwareNess. In 2016 Common released his eleventh studio album titledBlack America Again underDef Jam Recordings, the album featured guest appearances byStevie Wonder,Bilal,Marsha Ambrosius,BJ The Chicago Kid,John Legend,PJ, Syd, Elena &Tasha Cobbs. The album was primarily produced byKarriem Riggins alongside many other contributors includingRobert Glasper.
In 2018, Common also announced he would be forming ajazz group calledAugust Greene withKarriem Riggins &Robert Glasper, shortly after this announcement anAugust Greene album was released through a partnership withAmazon Music. The album featured guest vocals (credited and uncredited) by male singerSamora Pinderhughes and featured award-winning singerBrandy Norwood on two songs titled "Optimistic" and "Time" respectively. On August 30, 2019, Common released his twelfth solo studio album titledLet Love, the album was released byLoma Vista Recordings andConcord Records. The album features guest appearances fromSamora Pinderhughes,Daniel Caesar,Swizz Beatz,Leikeli47,BJ the Chicago Kid,A-Trak,Jill Scott,Leon Bridges andJonathan McReynolds and production of the album was primarily handled byKarriem Riggins and the song titled "HER Love" (feat.Daniel Caesar) was produced byJ. Dilla.
In 2020, Common released a nine-track album titledA Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1. The album features female singer PJ on seven tracks and also features guest vocals fromBlack Thought andLenny Kravitz. In 2021, he released a sequel album,A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2, which features guest vocals fromJessica Care Moore, PJ, Black Thought,Seun Kuti,Marcus King,Isaiah Sharkey,Brittany Howard, andMorgan Parker. Production of both albums was handled primarily by long-time collaboratorKarriem Riggins, with various other producers credited as session musicians.[53]
On August 1, 2023, Common was featured inMen's Health's Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary edition alongsideMethod Man,Wiz Khalifa,Ludacris,Busta Rhymes, and50 Cent.[54]
In 2024, it was announced that Common would be releasing a collaborative album withPete Rock titledThe Auditorium Vol. 1, and released the album's first single, "Wise Up".[55] The album has since been nominated for rap album of the year at the Grammy's and has accumulated millions of streams on Spotify.
In 2003, Common appeared on the AmericanUPN sitcomGirlfriends. In the episode "Take This Poem and Call Me in the Morning", he appeared as Omar, aslam poet who competes with fellow poet Sivad (played bySaul Williams) for the affection of Lynn Searcy (played byPersia White). He also had a cameo appearance on an episode of UPN'sOne on One, where he played a drama class instructor named Darius. He also made an appearance on the ABC showScrubs. In 2007, Common appeared withRyan Reynolds,Jeremy Piven, andAlicia Keys in the crime filmSmokin' Aces, making his big screen debut as villainousMobenforcer Sir Ivy. He appeared alongsideDenzel Washington,Russell Crowe,The RZA andT.I. in the 2007 crime thrillerAmerican Gangster. On January 20, 2007, one week before the opening ofSmokin Aces, he appeared in aSaturday Night Live sketch as himself. The show's host was Piven, hisAces co-star.
In 2007, Common played the role ofSmokin' Aces co-starAlicia Keys's boyfriend in the music video "Like You'll Never See Me Again".
In 2008, he had a supporting role in the film adaptation of the comic bookWanted alongsideMorgan Freeman andAngelina Jolie. Common also appeared in the filmStreet Kings withKeanu Reeves,Hugh Laurie,The Game, andForest Whitaker. Common also starred in the 2010 movieJust Wright as a basketball player who falls in love with his physical therapistQueen Latifah.[56] He appeared in the 2009 filmTerminator Salvation asJohn Connor's lieutenant Barnes.[57]
In 2009, Common was cast asJohn Stewart/Green Lantern in the unproduced filmJustice League: Mortal.
Common starred as a corrupt cop in the 2010 comedyDate Night withSteve Carell andTina Fey. He was also featured in the role of deployed soldier Chino in 2011'sNew Year's Eve, the husband ofHalle Berry's character, Nurse Aimee.
He was part of theensemble cast of AMC'sHell on Wheels, as one of the lead characters, Elam Ferguson, a recently freed slave trying to find his place in the world.[58]
In 2013, Common played the role of Agent Evans, an FBI agent inNow You See Me along with Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco. In the 2014 filmSelma, for which he also co-wrote the Oscar-winning song "Glory", Common co-starred as1960s civil rights movement leaderJames Bevel. In 2015, he played a hitman inRun All Night.
Common appeared as a gangster in the 2016 filmSuicide Squad, directed byDavid Ayer and part of theDC Extended Universe.[59]
In December 2015, Common appeared in theNBC TV specialThe Wiz Live!, as theBouncer guarding theEmerald City.
In 2016, he co-starred in the filmBarbershop: The Next Cut, alongside former rivalIce Cube.
In February 2017, he appeared alongside Keanu Reeves again, this time as professional hitman/bodyguard Cassian inJohn Wick: Chapter 2.
In August 2017, Common began voicing Kiburi the crocodile inDisney Junior'sThe Lion Guard.[60]
Common played oppositeMary Elizabeth Winstead inEva Vives's debut feature,All About Nina, which had its world premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. It was a major, breakout role for which he has received much critical acclaim (Variety's Peter Debruge calling his performance "easily the strongest of the half-dozen supporting roles he's had this year"[61]). That same year, he appeared as Rear Admiral John Fisk in theaction thriller filmHunter Killer.[62]
In 2018, Common starred in thefilm adaptation ofThe Hate U Give, playing Starr's uncle Carlos, a black police officer that is forced to defend his colleague that is involved in the shooting of a black teen.[63]
In September 2022, it was announced that Common would make his Broadway debut in Second Stage Theater'sBetween Riverside and Crazy in the winter of 2022.[64]
On October 27, 2015, Common signed a two-year deal withHBO that allowed to start his own film production company, Freedom Road Productions.[65][66] He stated in an interview in February 2012 that one of his big career goals was to start his own film production company.[67]
In 2016 Common also worked withAmazon Studios andAmerican Girl, serving as an executive producer for thedirect-to-video featureAn American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win.[68]
In 2006, Common was a model for photos ofThe Gap's fall season collection, appearing on posters in stores. Later that year, he performed in The Gap's "Holiday in Your Hood" themedPeace Love Gap. In February 2007, Common signed a deal with New Era to promote their new line of Layers fitted caps. Common also stars in a television commercial for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator. He appears in NBA 2K8 in NBA Blacktop mode. In the fall of 2008, Common appeared in an ad for Microsoft'sZune, comparing his new song, "Universal Mind Control", to "Planet Rock", a song from hip-hop pioneerAfrika Bambaataa. Also, he featured in theDiesel campaign for a new fragrance called "Only The Brave". His song "Be (intro)" is featured in a commercial forBlackBerry as of January 2011[update].
In December 2008, Common launched a new clothing line in partnership with Microsoft titled "Softwear", based on 1980s computing.
Common was invited by First LadyMichelle Obama to appear at a poetry reading on May 11, 2011, at theWhite House.[69] His poetry was found to be greatly influenced byMaya Angelou's works. This invitation caused furor with theNew Jersey State Police and their union,[70] who cited some of Common's previous lyrical content, most notably the song "A Song For Assata" aboutAssata Shakur, a member of theBlack Liberation Army (and step-aunt of deceased rapperTupac Shakur)[71] who was convicted in 1977 of the first-degree murder of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster. At another poetry reading, Common had stated, "flyers say 'free Mumia' on my freezer", a reference toMumia Abu-Jamal, who murdered Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981.
Jay Carney, theWhite House Press Secretary at the time, stated that President Obama opposed these particular lyrics, but supported what Common stood for more broadly.[72] Common responded by saying: "I guess Sarah Palin and Fox News doesn't like me."[72] On Facebook, he also stated, "The one thing that shouldn't be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day." Common later discussed the matter withJon Stewart during a September 14, 2011, appearance on Comedy Central'sThe Daily Show.[73]
In September 2011, Common published his memoir,One Day It'll All Make Sense, through Atria Books. As the book details how his close relationship with his mother influenced his life, it is partially narrated by her.[74]
Common released his second memoir,Let Love Have The Last Word, in May 2019. The book highlights his relationship with his daughter Omoye, romantic relationships, his parents, and his struggle to cement his perspective in the concept of love.[75]
Common is avegan and he is a supporter ofanimal rights andPETA.[76] He appeared in a print advertisement for PETA titled "Think Before You Eat,"[77] and in a documentary titledHolistic Wellness for the Hip-Hop Generation where he promoted vegetarianism.[78]
Common is also part of the "Knowing Is Beautiful" movement, which supportsHIV/AIDS awareness.[77] He is featured in the video for "Yes We Can," a song in support of the candidacy ofBarack Obama, which made its debut on the internet on February 2, 2008. Common pledged to stop usinganti-gay lyrics in his music.[79][80]
Common is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation,[81][82] a non-profit that seeks to empower underprivileged youth to be contributing citizens and strong leaders in the world. The foundation includes programs dedicated to leadership development & empowerment, educational development, creative expression, as well as a book club. In 2014, Common Ground inaugurated the AAHH! Fest music festival in Chicago'sUnion Park.[83] After a one-year hiatus, AAHH! Fest returned in 2016,[84] but was canceled one week before showtime in 2017.[84] An official announcement stated the fest would return September 15, 2018.[84]
In 2017, Common performed concerts in several California prisons, as well as on the grounds of the California State Capitol.[85] This concert tour inspired him to found Imagine Justice, another non-profit organization.[86]
In May 2020, in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic, Common launched a social media campaign through Imagine Justice, dubbed #WeMatterToo, with dozens of advocacy and activist groups calling attention to the threat that the pandemic poses for incarcerated men and women and intended to create greater public awareness about conditions facing incarcerated populations.[87] The campaign includes the production of short films that will include recordings of inmates expressing their concern about the coronavirus spreading inside prisons.[88]
Along with other rappers and activists, Common appeared in the award-winning documentary short film#Bars4Justice, which was shot inFerguson, Missouri and produced byNation19 Magazine.[89] Common performed withAndra Day in the opening musical performance for theMarch for Our Lives anti-gun violence rally in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2018.[90] He also performed at the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's death[91] in Memphis, at an event co-hosted by the labor unionUNITE HERE. Common was later accused of joining anti-union efforts by crossing a UNITE HERE picket line in Boston.[92]
He supported theKamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign and performed at the2024 Democratic National Convention.[93]
On May 4, 2019, Common served as spring commencement speaker at theFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and after his address, was awarded an honoraryDFA degree.[94]
Common has a daughter, Omoye, from his relationship with his ex-fiancé Kim Jones. Omoye graduated fromHoward Law School in 2022.[95]
Common was in a relationship with comedian and actressTiffany Haddish from mid-2020 to November 2021.[96] In 2022, while working on the filmBreathe, Common met and subsequently began dating singer and actressJennifer Hudson.[97][98]
He is a lifelong fan of theChicago Bulls andChicago Bears.[100][101] He is a Christian, attendingTrinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.[102]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Crook & Chase | Himself | Episode: "George Segal" |
| 2000 | The Lyricist Lounge Show | TV series | |
| 2001 | Soul Train | Episode: "Common & Macy Gray/Transitions/Olivia" | |
| 2003 | Girlfriends | Omar | Episode: "Take This Poem and Call Me in the Morning" |
| 2003–05 | Def Poetry Jam | Himself | Recurring cast |
| 2004 | Chappelle's Show | Himself/Musical Guest | Episode: "World Series Of Dice & Mooney On Movies" |
| Game Over | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Into the Woods" | |
| One on One | Darius | Episode: "Cabin Fever" | |
| Scrubs | Himself | Episode: "Her Story" | |
| 2005 | Black in the 80s | 3 episodes | |
| MTV Unplugged | Episode: "Alicia Keys" | ||
| Wild 'n Out | Episode: "Christina Milian/Common" | ||
| VH1 News Presents | Episode: "Hip Hop Videos: Sexploitation on the Set" | ||
| Driven | Episode: "Kanye West" | ||
| $2 Bill | Episode: "Kanye West" | ||
| 2007 | Saturday Night Live | Episode: "Jeremy Piven/AFI" | |
| 2009–10 | The Electric Company | Episode: "Lights, Camera, Beetles!" & "Jules Quest" | |
| 2010 | American Idol | Episode: "Idol Gives Back/Top Seven Results" | |
| 2011 | Single Ladies | Mayor Howard | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2011–14 | Hell on Wheels | Elam Ferguson | Main cast (season 1–4) |
| 2012 | Bizarre Foods America | Himself | Episode: "Las Vegas" |
| Sesame Street | Episode: "Practice Makes Proud" | ||
| 2013 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Episode: "Thicke and Tired" | |
| The Mindy Project | Security Guard | Episode: "Harry & Mindy" | |
| 2015 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself/Competitor | Episode: "Common vs. John Legend" |
| Knock Knock Live | Himself | Episode: "Episode One" | |
| David's Vlog | Episode: "Smoking with Snoop Dogg!!?" | ||
| In Their Own Words | Episode: "Muhammad Ali" | ||
| The Wiz Live! | The Bouncer | TV special | |
| 2016 | America Divided | Himself | Episode: "The System" |
| 2017 | American Masters | Episode: "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise" | |
| Saturday Night Live | Episode: "Chance the Rapper/Eminem" | ||
| The Simpsons | Himself (voice) | Episode: "The Great Phatsby: Part 2" | |
| 2017–19 | The Lion Guard | Kiburi (voice) | Recurring cast (season 2), guest (season 3) |
| 2018–19 | The Chi | Rafiq | Recurring cast (season 1), guest (season 2) |
| 2019 | Sherman's Showcase | Henry | Episode: "Enemies" |
| 2020 | Fraggle Rock: Rock On! | Himself | Recurring cast |
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride[104] | Westley | Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish" | |
| 2021 | Never Have I Ever[105] | Dr. Chris Jackson | Recurring cast (season 2) |
| 2022 | Storybots: Answer Time | Mr. Wonderful (voice) | Episode: "Glue" |
| 2023–present | Silo | Robert Sims | Main cast |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Wanted: Weapons of Fate | Brummel | Voice |
| Terminator Salvation | Barnes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Blues: Godfathers and Sons | Himself | |
| 2010 | Bouncing Cats | Narrator | |
| 2015 | Unity | [106] |
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Common singles | |
|---|---|
| Can I Borrow a Dollar? | |
| Resurrection | |
| One Day It'll All Make Sense | |
| Like Water for Chocolate | |
| Electric Circus | |
| Be |
|
| Finding Forever | |
| Universal Mind Control | |
| The Dreamer/The Believer | |
| Other singles | |
| Featured singles | |
| Other songs | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
