Common is in his 25th year of rapping (I'm not even 25yrs old). Even though he's more popular as an actor in recent years, he's reiterated severally that he's still an 'emcee' at heart. In his 25year rapping career, he's dropped timeless music while keeping his love for lyricism and making his music about worthwhile issues (except UMC in '08, what were you thinking Com?!).
On his 11th album - Black America Again, he attempts to tackle the issues in the black American community through his music and present his view of the spectrum of black lives generally. On the title track, he jumps out alongside the drums rapping with laser sharp focus facts and his perceptions about modern day racism
"The new plantation, mass incarceration. Instead of educate they'd rather convict the kids...."
"...The color of my skin, they comparing it to sin" he raps.
He also flat out demands less patronizing as he raps
"You put a nigga in star wars, maybe you need two and then .maybe we'll believe you".
Stevie Wonder closes out the song by repeatedly singing
"We are rewriting black american history" - powerful statement.
On album closer, the Bilal assisted Letter to the free, he asks "We ain't seen as human beings with feelings, will the U.S. ever be us?". He then subs you-know-who on the U.S. elections
"We staring in the face if hate again, the same hate they say will make America great again*.
The album isn't totally politically. There's a midsection of love songs (man is rumoured to be dating Regina King, G ). These songs allow the featured vocalists do their thing, but each song is anchored in Com's verses, some lines of which are quite cringey
"We can major in communication. Relating like cousins, though we kissing".
There's bragadoccio on pyramids, while calling out rappers who rap "for 19yr olds" with a sample of Ol' dirty Bastard (the original mumble rapper, R.I.P) on the hook.
On the John Legend assisted Rain which follows the blueprint of their 2015 song Glory, he asks questions about himself and his career which he receives the answers from God on the Bilal assisted autobiographical Rain. Rain can be compared thematically to Kendrick Lamar's 'Untitled 01'. Where Lamar is presenting his credentials to God "...made to pimp a butterfly for you, pushed the club to the side for you...", Common weaves his tale from the point of God telling him everything he will do/become
"Though this his from heaven, give them verses from hell......I'mma put a hyphen on your name Rapper-Actor-Activist".
Bilal sings the beautiful hook in a tone that recalls their 2007 collaboration U, black maybe off Com's Finding Forever album.
Common promised production that recalls his classic 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate with a mixture of classic boom bap. Production is primarily handled by drummer/producer Kareem Riggins, with some assistance from Grammy award winning pianist Robert Clasper and Frank Dukes. Although there's a lack of experimentation that is found on like water, there's definitely some good drum breaks, beautiful piano loops and trumpet sprinkles which make for a smooth and engaging listen.
All in all, this is a good addition to Common's impressive catalog. He passes across his ideas without being overbearing or too preachy.
Rating - 3.75/5.
Tracklist
1. Joy and Peace
2. Home
3. Word from Moe Luv Interlude
4. Black America Again
5. Lovestar
6. On a Whim Interlude
7. Red Wine
8. Pyramids
9. A Moment in the Sun Interlude
10. Unfamiliar
11. A Bigger Picture Called Free
12. The Day Women Took Over
13. Rain
14. Little Chicago Boy
15. Letter to the Free
You can Download the Album HERE
Reviews done by Dennis
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