Be is the sixth studio album by American rapper Common, released May 24, 2005 on GOOD Music and Geffen Records. Primarily produced by hip hop artist Kanye West, the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 album chart with 185,000 copies sold in its first week.

Like Water for Chocolate is the fourth studio album by American hip hop rapper Common, released March 28, 2000 on MCA Records. It was a considerable critical and commercial breakthrough for Common, receiving generally favorable reviews from major magazine publications and selling 70,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold on August 11, 2000 by the Recording Industry Association of America. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 748,000 copies by March 2005. The video for "The Light" was frequently shown on MTV, adding to Common's exposure. The album also formally marked the formation of the Soulquarians, a collective composed of ?uestlove (of The Roots), Jay Dee (formerly of Slum Village), keyboardist James Poyser, soul artist D'Angelo and bassist Pino Palladino, among numerous other collaborators. This group of musicians would also be featured on Common's next album, Electric Circus.
The album's cover photo, 1956 Alabama by Gordon Parks, is a photo of a young black woman in Alabama, dressed for church, and drinking from a "Colored Only" drinking fountain.

More than just a protest statement, this politically charged album is at once an exorcism of rage and a constructive healing ritual. Behind a refreshingly inventive beat, “Joy and Peace” allows solemnity, anger, and patience to coexist. In “Pyramids” and “Home,” Common and producer/drummer Karriem Riggins’ fusion of gospel and classic boom-bap cuts a new path toward justice and liberation.

I know some of you all are saying, “Damn Kevin, another sample set?” What can I say… I love to dig! I know there are quite a few new albums out that I’ve probably been sleeping on that deserve a review, but I don’t enjoy reviewing as much as I do diggin’. So, I’ve been working on this one for quite some time. You may remember my original post showcasing the samples of Common’s Be back when I only posted snippets of the original songs. Well, I promised I would go back and make official sample sets out of all those and this one seemed to be the most requested. The problem was a few of the songs were a little difficult to come by in their full form. But finally, here it is… search no more!
Released on May 24, 2005, Common went back to his roots when he recorded Be. After the negative criticism he received over Electric Circus, Common decided to take a simpler approach to his next album. He enlisted super-producer Kanye West to produce the entire album. All songs were produced by Kanye, with the exception of two outstanding tracks from the late J Dilla. The formula worked — Be spawned three hit singles (”The Corner”, “Go!”, and “Testify”) and the album itself went to #2 on Billboard.
Common said in a 2005 interview with sixshot.com: “I named it Be to be who you are man and be able to be in the moment and not try too hard. Be is another way of saying just do without trying hard, like I said natural and be true to the core of who you are and this album I wanted to just be and not just go and exist as just an artist not worried about the past.”

Electric Circus is the fifth studio album by rapper Common, released December 10, 2002 on the now-defunct MCA Records. 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. "I wasn't feeling hip hop," the rapper remarked. "So my motivation for that album were other genres of music, like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. It wasn't hip hop."

Music has been the genesis of Common’s creative life. Let Love is the culmination of a journey. Common spent 2018 and 2019 immersed in self-care and, ultimately, catharsis. In the process, he underwent a transformation as he examined God, faith, fatherhood, community, and love. He unites with prominent forces from different eras of the culture to deliver a timeless dedication to hip-hop. As such, the record details his past and present and shines a light on a bold and bright future. Of hip-hop, Common admits on lead single HER Love, “You gave me a voice in the world, it’s been hard to choose another girl.” “a State of the Rap Union as he addresses the rise and expansion of hip-hop throughout the past 25 years” – VIBE “his most impactful body of work yet,” - OkayPlayer. “Common’s homage to hip-hop” – Rolling Stone

"It is music to uplift, heal, and inspire listeners dealing with racial injustices as well as other social injustices. It's affirmation. It's recognition. It's elevation. It's music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we need to make sure things do not return to the status quo. The intention of A Beautiful Revolution Pt. I is to channel all of our pain and outrage into something productive, inspirational, and good. It’s to help lead a movement into our next phase of the work to be done.” – Common

Common Sense对90年代的地下HIP HOP界有着极大的影响,娴熟的歌词技巧以及流畅的爵士说唱令当时极端商业化的匪帮饶舌风格也不得不退居次位。他以深厚的文化底蕴和睿智的思想所造就的饶舌风格以及政治意识并不适合当时的潮流，但Common还是凭借实力让另类说唱风格作为一种创新的力量而最终得到广泛的认可。不仅他的每张专辑都得到评论的肯定，他也得以签约主流厂牌之下以令他和他的音乐得到更多的关注。例如1992年推出的《Can I Borrow a Dollar?》和1994年推出的《Resurrection》。在后一张专集里的歌曲“I Used to Love H. E. R”因其对gangsta rap的贬低之意而受到人们的注意。
《Can I Borrow a Dollar? 》是当年Common Sense借以改变整个Hip Hop音乐地图、将芝加哥的Hip Hop之声写入音乐历史的处子专辑，以独一无二的声色取胜，而Common Sense也因此而成为与A Tribe Called Quest和Gang Starr艺术Hip Hop大师。专辑庸懒轻松的爵士音乐曲风与Common Sense旋律化丰富多变的饶舌搭配得天衣无缝。歌词内容引述和参考了是从流行到街头的文化现象。虽然其中的不自觉的情感流露偶尔也会令人悲观，但却不能否认这还是一张体现了90年代早期最精华的Hip Hop音乐唱片。

Multi-faceted Hip-Hop superstar Common is prepping his highly anticipated seventh album, Finding Forever, for a July 31st release on G.O.O.D Music/Geffen Records. The album is the follow up to the four times Grammy nominated, critically heralded and Kanye West produced Be, which spawned hits including The Corner, Go, and Testify. Finding Forever, finds Kanye again taking the bulk of production work with help from Will.I.Am on the sultry I Want You, the late great J. Dilla on So Far To Go, featuring a surprise guest appearance by D'Angelo and G.O.O.D Music producer Devo Springsteen on Misunderstood. On Finding Forever, Common, rips the mic like a hungry newcomer. The street single The Game produced by Kanye with scratches by the legendary DJ Premier is a horn drenched, vintage NY rap boom-bap banger from the Chi-town emcee, no less. The resounding lead single The People finds Common lyrically asserting why and who he creates his music for over regal strings, delectable keys and hard to get vocals by Gil Scott Heron. This is the explicit version.

A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2 is the continuationof Common's movement music. Common said "something kept telling me to focus on the good and the things I wanted to see in the world. Music is one of the things that gives me hope and happiness." Pt. 1's message lead with love and positivity through difficult times: a pandemic, racial and social justice protests, and a polarizing election. Pt. 2 recognizes there is much work to be done while acknowledging progress and starting to live our dreams.

The Auditorium, Vol. 1 marks a groundbreaking collaboration between legendary hip-hop artist Common and iconic producer Pete Rock, blending years of individual success into a powerful joint effort. Common, a versatile talent known for his 15 albums, significant acting roles, and a collection of major awards including an Oscar and three Grammys, teams up with Pete Rock, whose influential production skills have shaped hits for artists from Nas to Madonna. Their paths, intertwined through decades of hip-hop evolution, have led them to this historic full-length partnership, showcasing their refined mastery over the genre.
In this album, Common and Pete Rock capture the essence of their seasoned artistry without compromising the soul of their craft. The project breathes life into hip-hop's rich legacy while forging its future, offering listeners a unique blend of thoughtful lyricism and innovative beats. Recorded amidst the nostalgia of their earlier successes and the excitement of new creative breakthroughs, The Auditorium, Vol. 1 not only redefines the boundaries of hip-hop but invites audiences into a profound musical journey. With its intricate compositions and deep, resonant themes, this album promises an auditory experience that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally compelling, urging listeners to dive deep into its layers and appreciate the genius at play.