Sound Presence

After nearly two decades as hip hop’s lyrical provocateur, Common finds salvation on the silver screen

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Following the success of his four-time Grammy-nominated album Be (2005) and the award-winning Finding Forever (2007)—Universal Mind Control is a chance for Common’s fans to release. Feeling that 2008 was strenuous on the human spirit, Common’s eighth album offers a reprieve from the dire stresses of the daily regimen. “I wasn’t trying to discuss too many socially important topics,” says the emcee. “It was more about just having fun and letting loose because I felt like people were going through so much every day. 2008 was rough for a lot of people. I felt like the music could help get them out of that space—I know it does for me sometimes. Instead of me doing a drama, that was a comedy.”

Common manages to keep his finger on the pulse of the people without compromising his artistic integrity. And complacency isn’t his style. “If I’m going somewhere musically, artistically or as a human being, I go there. And I feel like that in itself is a challenge to the audience. Because sometimes everyone is not where you are at that time, so when they hear it sometimes they’re like, ‘Aw what’s going on with this?’ And sometimes they grow into it, sometimes they never like it.” 

Many were reluctant to take the carousel ride on his psychedelic Electric Circus (2002). The album did little to win over fans, but it’s Common’s distinctive way of stimulating his audience that puts him into a league all his own. “I challenge them by being myself no matter where I am in my life,” he says. “I just choose to express that and choose to create art that will be a reflection of that.”  

As we cruise down New Jersey’s tree-lined Palisades Parkway, New York City, concrete playground for a bevy of opportunists, fades in the distance. All the while, a Queesnbridge anthem ushers in a wave of nostalgia. Its distinctive hi-hats grab everyone’s attention. After the treble crescendos, the bass drops—’Your simple words just don’t move me. You’re minor, we’re major. You all up in the game and don’t deserve to be a player.’ Heads bob instinctively to Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones Pt.II off The Infamous (1995). Reciting the timeless lyrics of Havoc and Prodigy, Common remarks, “I wish I had made that album.” 

Shuffled between the mélange of addictive cadence and futuristic beats—Universal Mind Control delivers true-school lyrical assaults with Gladiator and Inhale. Gladiator puts all naysayers in their proper place, proving without a doubt whether on the corner or the red carpet—the booth is still Common’s throne. Changes, a tribute to the Commander-in-Chief, echoes his message of hope. Common’s affinity for the 44th President is no secret. A video clip on Common’s MySpace page plays snippets of President Obama’s campaign trail to the tune of the inspirational track. He traveled to the nation’s capitol to witness the historic inauguration. 

“I had to be there. There was no other place I wanted to be in the world, but there. It was just one of those things I know my spirit wanted to witness. I never ever felt that feeling in my life. To have a collective of people, with positive energy all saying a prayer at one time, with a vision, a goal, of positive things for themselves and for everybody around them. That’s probably what a portion of heaven is going to feel like.” 

Like fellow Chicagoan, President Barack Obama, Common hails from the city’s South Side. “It’s a predominately black community…well, not predominately. It’s a black community,” he chuckles.  Despite his rise to acclaim, Common recognizes an innate responsibility to the younger generation. “I really feel like it’s one of my duties and one of my callings to give back to the community.” This calling prompted him to establish the Common Ground Foundation. Through community outreach initiatives Common Ground enriches the lives of underprivileged youth. The foundation’s Read for Change program helps combat one of the nation’s leading problems—illiteracy. Its on-line book club coined, The Corner, encourages children across the country to network through blog updates, web chats with authors and essay competitions. In conjunction with Read for Change, BE Empowered advocates after school programs. Students between the ages of 13-18 learn lessons in digital technology, music and spoken word, along with healthy living habits. The BE Empowered program stresses the importance of growth by setting goals and fostering a lifestyle that benefit both the mind and the body. For Common, community is key. 

“With Common Ground we start with the youth because if you get them going, you’re setting the future straight. We do it through encouraging them to read, encouraging them towards entrepreneurship, self-awareness and self love,” he says. “That’s always been significant to me—if you really love yourself you’re able to walk through life with more confidence.”  

We turn off the Parkway and into the country club entrance pumping Jay-Z and Biggie’s Brooklyn’s Finest through the speakers. “You can turn it down a little bit,” says Common to his driver.  He glances at the putting green and I ask him if he’s ever played golf. “I’ve done putt-putt,” he says. As we slow to the bag drop near the clubhouse door, I tell him, “Putt, putt has nothing on this.” 

The dark-wood lined walls of the Gary Player Room are a stark contrast from the gray slated tile interior of the emcee’s posh condominium. Portraits of golf’s Black Knight hang on opposite sides of one of Chi-town’s self-proclaimed gods. Oblivious to Player’s legacy, Common sits stoically in the brown leather arm chair next to the crackling fireplace. His presence sparks interest amongst the staff and Thursday afternoon golfers trying to squeeze in holes before returning to work. Heads swivel and paces slow to a halt to catch a glimpse of the debonair man in the suit. 

Showers cluttered the week’s forecast but today, in the ides of April, the clouds have parted. The air is fresh. No smog, no taxis, just yards of fescue. At the day’s peak Common heads to the driving range (swag still in tact). The 4x6 Astro Turf mat is now his stage. Thousands of devoted fans are replaced with a 300-yard field. And after receiving a few pointers from the club pro, Common opts for the beginner’s ten finger grip. His broad shoulders and sculpted biceps protrude through his polo. With a narrow stance, Common timidly takes the club back and whiffs. Everyone gets a good laugh and he tries again—he tops it. Not satisfied with the thinly struck worm burners that scurry across blades of grass, “Let me hit another one,” he says matter-of-factly. And this time he gets solid contact. His crew cheers as if witnessing a baby taking a first step. He gives it a few more tries and for any neophyte, there is a moment of clarity—it’s not as easy as it looks. 

To the naked eye hip hop and golf are polar opposites. Fourteen clubs do not elicit the same powerful call and response of one microphone. But for legendary artists and golfers such as Common and Player, the pinnacle of artistic expression or golfing bliss comes when they manage to stay in the present. Not foreshadowing album sales or predicting the score needed to secure the green jacket. The lyrical sage turned novice golfer already has a mental edge on the playing field. ‘Never looking back, or too far in front of me. The present is a gift, and I just wanna be,’ streams his voice…Now all he needs are lessons.