Dec
27

The Dreams of Lonnie Lynn

No I.D. just sent Jonah Bromwich a beat tape. Self-seriousness. It’s always been Common’s Achilles heel. When he forgets to be Common, conscious rapper and spokesman for the people, he’s one of the most compelling veterans in the game. When he casts himself in that role-model mold, he becomes a caricature, the guy we make… Continue reading »

Nov
11

The Dreamer, The Believer, but most importantly, The Rapper

Tosten Burks is to hip hop what Bo the Dog is to politics. Finally, Common has stopped being a symbol, stopped being a Gap-wearing motivational poster, and started being a rapper again. The revival started with “Ghetto Dreams.” Unfortunately for Common, that song also started the revival of 2011-poet-laureate Nas, who has overshadowed better men… Continue reading »

Jul
13

Common & Nas’ “Ghetto Dreams”

If you need Evan Nabavian he’s upstate, but not on the Riker’s Bus. Common? The black guy from Wanted? The one who did that romantic comedy with Queen Latifah last year? He raps? Are you sure? Yes, Common was once a rapper. And long before that, he was a good rapper. If you can’t remember… Continue reading »