Socially conscious rap is scarce. That is, until an introspective lyricist shows up to remind us that it still exists. When they do, they come with hopes of schooling listeners on the world’s forgotten problems that have been placed on the back burner in favor of redundant lyrics and label gimmicks. As a reminder, though, Common is back. He has always served as a lyricist that can elevate and enlighten the culture and whatever producer he teams up with at the time, seeks to bring superior production to accompany him. When Common releases content, expect to be made consciously aware of an array of topics in the almost forgotten realm of socially conscious rap.

On July 22, Common will release his 10^th studio album Nobody’s Smiling. After a two year hiatus, he is once again teaming up with longtime producer No I.D, who produced the album to its entirety. The news of the album came along with his new deal with Def Jam and No I.D.’s label, Atrium Recordings. Three official singles were released within months of the knowing the title and already Common has noted that he has more to say and more perspective to give, especially when it comes to the extreme violence plaguing his hometown Chicago.

In 1992, Common released his debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar? His day one fans know that his artistry he has evolved since then. Com’s lyrical content went from being negative to positive,the kid moved by the art of peer pressure to being a better role model, his flow from squeaky scatting to fluid spoken word and the production, handled by No I.D. for five out of his 10 albums, has grown with the times. Switching from making songs like “ Heidi Hoe, “ from Can I Borrow A Dollar? to “I Used to Love H.E.R.” from his 2^nd album, Resurrection, Common has sited that personal growth sparked the change. His lyrical content has ranged from poverty, abortion, religion and spirituality. Releasing albums at a rate of a bout 2 years apart and the fact that he’s teaming up with No I.D. once again has fans wondering what Nobody’s Smiling will entail. What will Common say next and how will the production sound? Before we get into that, though, brush up on Common’s previous work:

Underground fans note 1994’s Resurrection as his best album, but fans that may not have heard of Common until after the name change (from Common Sense to simply Common) and the release of 2000’s Like Water for Chocolate or the Kanye West assisted, Be as his best. Having teamed up with other great producers such as The Roots, J.Dilla and Kanye West, some might argue that those specific producers placed Common on another level when it came to public interest.

Since No I.D. has assisted with half of Common’s records, the last being his 2011 Dreamer/Believer, the official tracks released from Nobody’s Smiling seem stellar in lyricism and production. “Kingdom” was accompanied by a 7-minute Hype William’s produced video that takes us through the perspective of someone trying to survive in the crime ridden Chicago community. “Speak My Piece” uses a classic Biggie sample and Common shows off his lyrical ability on “Diamonds” with  Big Sean. Recently revealing the tracklist for Nobody’s Smiling, artists such as Lil Herb, Cocaine 80’s and Jhene Aiko all make appearances. Get a taste of the album’s singles below:

Anticipation Over Appreciation: The 2014 Hip Hop Fan:

Common may be back to fill our minds and ears with introspective information, but there may be some unfamiliar with Com’s previous works. As our attention spans decrease, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of anticipating rather than appreciating the artist’s work. So, just to help catch the 2014 rap fan up, we’ve provided a Top 5 list of Common’s best albums and a Top 10 list of Common’s best songs and lyrics.

 Top 5 Common Albums 

1. Be (2005)
2. Like Water for Chocolate (2000)
3. One Day It’ll All Make Sense (1997)
4. The Dreamer/The Believer (2011)
5. Finding Forever (2007)

Top 10 Best Common Songs

1. I Used to Love H.E.R. (Resurrection)

On the regular, not a church girl she was secular/ Not about the money, those studs was mic checkin’ her

2. “Retrospect for Life” Featuring Lauryn Hill (One Day It’ll All Make Sense)

To think my homies who did it I used to joke about, from now on/ I’ma use self control instead of birth control/ Cause 315 dollars ain’t worth your soul

3. “G.O.D. (Gaining One’s Definition)” Featuring Cee-Lo ( One Day It’ll All Make Sense)

I fight, with myself in the ring of doubt and fear/ The rain ain’t gone, but I can still see clear

Understanding and wisdom became the rhythm that I played to/ And became a slave to master self/ A rich man is one with knowledge, happiness and his health

4.” Stolen Moments” (Pts 1-3) (One Day It’ll All Make Sense) Part 4 “Payback Is A Grandmother” (Like Water for Chocolate)

But what could get me half way calm was this Donny Hathaway song/The tape that it was on I had wanted while I was gone/ But forgot to pack it, in fact it was in that jacket/This demo, it’s time to track it and lay it down/ Either it’s somebody I know or somebody I stay around

5. “The 6th Sense” (Like Water for Chocolate)

The perseverance of a rebel I drop heavier levels/It’s unseen or heard, a king with words/Can’t knock the hustle, but I’ve seen street dreams deferred/Dark spots in my mind where the scene occured/Some say I’m too deep, I’m in too deep to sleep/Through me, Muhammad will forever speak

6. “The Corner” Featuring The Last Poets and Kanye West (Be)

They shoot the wrong way, cause they ain’t knowin’ they goals/The streets ain’t safe cause they ain’t knowing the code/ By the foes I was told, either focus or fold/ Got cousins with flows, hope they open some doors

7. “Testify” (Be)

The court awaited as the foreman got the verdict from the bailiff/Emotional outbursts tears and smeared makeup/He stated, he was guilty on all charges/She’s shaking looking like she took it the hardest
A spin artist, she brought her face up laughing/That’s when the prosecutor realized what happened/All that speaking her mind, testifying and crying/When this bitch did the crime, the queenpin

8. “The Dreamer” Featuring Maya Angelou (The Dreamer/The Believer)

Going through the airport with more lye than an opera/Knew crooks who move books like Harry Potter/Get cleaners to get it cleaner/A legend like John, Lennon, I’m a dreamer

Mind trips to Medina to visit the redeemer/A hero, I’ll drop out like Hiroshima
Off sangria with two broads at La Esquina/Still opening roads for Omoye and Amina/I’m a Dreamer

Survival of the fit with hope in they eye/Taking notes from the sky to fly above understanding/They notes from from the most high, so I gotta land them

9. “The People” (Finding Forever)

Scuffle for notes, the rougher I wrote, times were harder/Went from rocky starter to a voice of a martyr/Why white folks focus on dogs and yoga/While people on the low end tryin to ball and get over

10. All of Pop’s raps ( “Pop’s Rap” – Resurrection, “Pop’s Rap Pt 2/Fatherhood” -One Day It’ll All Make Sense, “Pop’s Rap III….All My Children” -Like Water for Chocolate , “It’s Your World” Featuring Bilal and Pops – Be, “Finding Forever” – Finding Forever and “Pop’s Belief”–The Dreamer/The Believer)

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