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.

Producer: J-Dilla

2008年底的Hip-Hop圈子必定火热异常，除了Kanye West的新专辑《808s & Heartbreak》刚刚发行，Kanye West所创办的G.O.O.D. Music公司亦紧接其后推出了以Common为代表的一批Hip-Hop唱片。
Common这张专辑最早被定名为“Invincible Summer”，名称其来源于Common今年与N.E.R.D一起参与的 “Seeing the Invincible Sounds of Summer” 巡演，在该巡演途中，N.E.R.D曾对Common新专辑当中的部分歌曲作出过一些评价和建议。Common自己也曾经和“Billboard”说过他是为夏天创作出专辑里这些歌曲的，然而，无法预知的突然事件导致这张专辑一拖再拖，最终却只能在与夏季相反的冬季以“Universal Mind Control”为名发行。不过好在早前就已经有《Universal Mind Control》、《Punch Drunk Love》和《Gladiator》三首曲目在网上泄露。
Common的Hip-Hop根植于根源摇滚、Funk和爵士，新加入的制作人The Neptunes和No I.D.虽为专辑注入少许的新鲜血液，不过之前两张专辑《Finding Forever》和《Be》起，Common就启用的制作人Kanye West同样在这张专辑当中操刀部分歌曲，所以也就不见得这张《Universal Mind Control》会偏出多少Common早前既定的风格。一直以文艺范儿的Hip-Hop著称的Common势必将与他的老板兼制作人Kanye West在年末争宠，而Lil Wayne的新专辑也马上出现，一番龙虎斗，方显潮流征兆！

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VINYL ONLY

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.

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.

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.

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。

"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

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