Official First Week Sales of Common's "Black America Again" Album

Chicago rapper, Common has been in the rap game for over 20 years, and it is good to see him still dropping albums. Even though he is heavily into movies now, he still makes out time to give his fans some good music.

Pic: DJ Envy, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, and Common

This picture was taken two days ago, Wednesday night precisely, at Styles P, and Jadakiss new Juice Bar (Juices for Life) opening in Brooklyn. They have a couple of them bars scatted all around New York. I wish them the best with the line of business.



That's DJ Envy, Sheek Louch, Jada Kiss, and Common.

Pic: DJ Envy, Common, and Starbucks C.E.O, Howard Schultz at an Event in Queens

DJ Envy, a Queens native was with Common, and the C.E.O of Starbucks, Howard Schultz earlier today in Queens for a community event.

Pic: Chance the Rapper and Common at an Event in Chicago

This is a picture from earlier today, of Chance the Rapper, and Common at the AAHH Fest concert in Chicago. They are both from Chicago.

Pic: Lupe Fiasco, Jennifer Hudson, and Common at 'Stand Up To Cancer' Event

Three Chicago natives in one place at the same time? Nice! Last week Friday, Lupe Fiasco, Jennifer Hudson, and Common were some of the several celebrities that were present at the Stand Up To Cancer benefit concert that went down at Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. They took this pic that night. It is always great to see celebrities use their star power for a good cause.

Song Lyrics: Fight or Flight Remix (Lil Herb feat. Common, and Chance the Rapper)

Below is the lyrics of Lil Herb's Fight or Flight, featuring Common, and Chance the Rapper. 






[Intro:]
This song go out to anybody who lost one of they homies man
You ever lost somebody
That felt like you was in this shit by yourself
But you gotta fight man
It's hard

New Music: Fight or Flight Remix (Lil Herb feat. Common, and Chance the Rapper)

Lil Herb just released the remix of his Fight or Flight song, featuring Common and Chance the Rapper. There are so many rappers out there these days, but I definitely will be checking out for Lil herb after this song. #Dopeness.


Listen to the song below.

New Music: Remission (Lupe Fiasco feat. Jennifer Hudson and Common)

Lupe Fiasco just dropped this new one, Remission, which features Jennifer Hudson, and Common. #Dope.

Download the song here: Remission

Tracklist of Common's 'Nobody's Smiling' Album

Chicago rapper, Common is about to drop his tenth album titled Nobody's Smiling. Props to him on that achievement; not too many rappers make it up album number 5, not to talk of having ten albums in your catalog. The album is set for a July 22 release date, and would be put out via No.I.D's label, ARTium Records, and Def Jam Records. Check out the tracklist below. 

1. The Neighborhood (Feat. Lil Herb & Cocaine 80?s) 
2. No Fear 
3 Diamonds (Feat. Big Sean) 
4. Blak Majik (Feat. Jhené Aiko) 
5. Speak My Piece 
6. Hustle Harder (Feat. Snoh Aalegra & Dreezy) 
7. Nobody's Smiling 
8. Real (Feat. Elijah Blake) 
9. Kingdom (Feat. Vince Staples) 
10. Rewind That Deluxe Edition: 
11. Out On Bond (Feat. Vince Staples) 
12. 7 Deadly Sings 
13. Young Hearts Run Free (Feat. Cocaine 80?s)

New Music: Kingdom (Common feat. Vince Staples)

Common is prepping the release of his 10th studio album, Nobody Smiling, which is scheduled to drop before the end of the year. The album is going to be produced entirely by No I.D. This is one of the tracks off it; Kingdom, feat. Vince Staples. Dope song. Really dope verse from Vince Staples.

Download the song- Kingdom

Classic Hip Hop Pic: Common, Erykah Badu, Methodman, & RZA

The classic hip hop pic of the day is from Common, Erykah Badu, Method Man, and RZA. Look at how normal Badu looked in this pic. This is definitely from the mid 90s.

New Music- Sunshine Remix (Wale feat. Rick Ross and Common)

Yesterday, Wale dropped the remix of his Sunshine track off his The Gifted album...the song features Rick Ross and Common. Dope song. This is some conscious music, not that usual MMG formula.

Download here- Sunshine Remix

Common Speaks on Kanye West's Impact on Hip Hop Music

Common and Kanye have always had a good working relationship since Mr. West got into the Hip Hop world. From appearing on Kanye's first album in 2004 (College Dropout), to signing to Kanye's G.O.O.D Music label the following year, and having West produce his critically acclaimed 6th album, Be (2005), the two Chicago rappers have always been close. In a recent interview with Justin Credible (Power 106 OAP), Common spoke on how much impact Kanye West has had on Hip Hop.




 “You really can’t think about Hip Hop without thinking about Kanye at this point…Since he’s been in the art form and the culture, he’s had an impact like—man, it’s unprecedented, really, as an emcee and as a producer to do what he’s done in 10 years. And College Dropout was one of them albums that bridged—it bridged a lot of things, man. I’m glad to be on there, man.” (Lift-Off Show on Power 106 radio)









Whoa! I can't believe College Dropout has been out 10 year...that's a long time. I remember being skeptical about listening to it when it dropped, cos I still had that mentality of 'it's either gangsta music or nothing.' But I had a friend that always pushed me to listen to the album with an open mind, and when I finally did, I didn't regret it. It's a very creative (and at times funny) album.

Drake Explains Why He Wont Be Responding To Common's Diss

Drake was all vocal before Common's Stay Schemin remix dropped, now he wants out. I don't care what ever reason he has to give, it is secondary. At least, he bought into it at first...if not, he wouldn't have gone at Common on the "stay schemin" track. I guess he got to know what he was up against, and what he had to loose. Now, he is playing it like Common has more to gain from the whole thing.

Below is what Drake had to say about the whole issue-

“Because despite how it’s been worded by him that situation is not a ‘hip hop moment’ or a ‘battle for the sake of musical integrity’ …It’s a ploy for attention around the release of an album.
“More than anything it was just disappointing cause what kid isn’t a fan of what Common has done for our genre. A guy who made such an incredible career for himself based off expressing genuine feelings about life and love is now targeting me for sharing my story.”

But i do ride with him on the last sentence though...both their careers are kind of similar. Of cos common doesn't sing, but common made a lot of smooth melo music in the past. On another note, i would have really enjoyed a full-fledged back and forth battle between both of them.

French Montana Says Drake Wants To Fight Common

A couple of days into the year, Rick Ross dropped his Rich Forever mixtape, and the song that really stood out at the time was Stay Schemin- a song that featured Drake and French Montana with Rick Ross. That song became controversial because Drake used his verse to respond to what he felt Common was saying to him on "sweet". Common fired back with a remix of the same track within 24hours- living rick ross and drake's verses, but replacing French Montana's verse, with his own reply verse to Drake. I said all that to say this- why did French Montana have to be the one to tell us that Drake wants to fight Common?

 

I am just asking. Anyway, read what French Montana said about the Drake/Common beef below-


"I think it was over [Serena Williams] or something like that," French said speaking on Drake and Common's feud. "Shout-out to Serena Williams. I'm staying out of that. With them, you've gotta look at it like it's hip-hop, it's competition, it's good for the music. I think Drake wants to fight. Yeah, I think Drake wants to fight. He said he can't wait to run into him. Man, I'm gonna hit him. I'm gonna let him know [we don't want him fighting]. Shout-out to Drake." ("The Angie Martinez Show")


I think French Montana is just looking for some publicity. And him saying this is not even looking good for Drake. This kind of confirms what Common said about Drake hiding behind Rick Ross and French Montana. By the way, French Montana is signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records. I am just wondering the link. I think the only link with him and drake most be that Rick Ross hangs out with Diddy and Drake a lot, and since he is signed to Diddy's label, they would bump into each other every once in a while. But i don't think that is enough for him to speak on Drake's behalf. And for him to say he thinks it is over Serena Williams is out of place.


Personally, i want Drake and Common to do the back and forth dissing on wax. I think it will be really interesting and good for hip hop. It started really heating up a couple of weeks ago, but Drake is the one slowing the tempo. Does it take two weeks to write a diss record? It only took Common a day to write his.


And making it physical is not going to be good for Drake at all. Anyone with eyes can see that Drake would stand no chance in the ring with Common for even a round. Common would probably knock him out with one puch. Or slap the taste out of his mouth. lol! Please, don't get me wrong. I am a Drake fan, but i am also a Common fan. I am just pissed that Drake is stalling. He is meant to have responded by now.

Papoose Comments On Common/Drake Beef

Papoose, in a recent interview commented on the ongoing Common and Drake beef. The beef started with Drake believing Common's "sweet" track was about him, and dissing Common on twitter and at his shows. He took it a step further and dissed Common on "stay schemin"...a track off Rick Ross's Rich Forever mixtape. Common replied with his version of "stay schemin" remix...living ross and drake's verses, and delivering his drake diss on the third verse. I think it was a lovely concept. Read what Papoose had to say about the Beef below-



"It's interesting, man, because Common is a master lyricist," Pap explained in an interview with radio host Kevin Reese. "I think Drake is nice too. So it'll be interesting to see the outcome. I'm like everybody else, I'm just waiting to see what's going to happen. You know what I mean? So to me, it's just interesting to me because they both can rap, they're both nice. You know what I mean? So it ain't gonna be no walk in the park. [Younger emcees typically go after older emcees?] I think it's the other way around these days. I think the older cats are coming back for some of the new cats a little bit more. That's what it seems like to me. Drake responded though, on the joint with him, [Rick] Ross and [French Montana], and then Common came back the next day. So now we have to wait for Drake to answer his phone now and see what happens. It's interesting." (Hot 93.7)


Contrary to what people are saying, i think Drake is a worthy opponent of Common. I think this could be a very interesting beef. We all know no one is going to take it to the streets, so it will just be on wax. And i feel it is just what hip hop needs at the moment. A worthy match between the new and the old. I didn't really enjoy Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj's beef cos Nicki was playing Kim like the bully, while she had been sending sneak attacks to kim for as long as she has been hot in the game. But, following the tweets i have read on twitter, the Common/Drake beef is a 50/50 thing...half the people are on common's side, and the other half are siding with Drake. So, i feel it will be great for hip hop.


As Papoose said, i am waiting for Drake's response after the common diss. It is almost two weeks now, and nothing from Drake. Common responded to Drake within 24 hours. I think Common hit Drake's soft spot talking about his Dad and Mom. It is clear, through Drake's music that he is emotional about topics relating to his family. And for common to put him on blast to the world like that most have hit him hard.

Drake and Common Beef

Last week, a track (stay schemin) off Rick Ross's Rich Forever mixtape started circulating online. It featured Drake and French Montana, but the real catch of the song is Drake's verse where he goes in on Common. Apparently, they have had a n issue for a couple of months now. Drake believed that Common was indirectly speaking to him on his sweet track off his The Dreamer/The Believer album. When Common was asked, he simple said if the cap fit, then Drake can wear it.



stay schemin is the track which Drake uses as a vehicle to go at Common, and 2 days ago, Common released his own version. He left Rick Ross's verse and Drake's verse on the track, and just did his reply on the third verse. I think that is brilliant. People get to hear what Drake said about him, and then hear his reply, and judge from that. I really don't know what prompted Common to go at Drake subliminally in the first place, but he definitely most have a reason.


I am not going to put any lines from the song up in here, cos i would just spoil the effect it would have if you hear it fresh. Follow this link to listen- stay schemin. Personally, i think this could turn out to be one of the most interesting beefs since Game and G-Unit. I think Beefs and rap battle embody what hip hop stands for. I think it is part of the art. And we all know Common and Drake would not take it to the streets, so it is all good.

People have been taking sides on twitter. Of cos most of the younger generation that dominate twitter don't know Common's history, so it is only natural that they would back Drake. If you ask me, i think they are both wonderful artists. I think, judging from Drake's Stay Schemin verse, he has shown that he is a better over all rap artist than his boss...Lil Wayne. Wayne couldn't even put together a decent verse when he decided to go at Jay-Z on his Carter 4 album.


I personal don't like the way new artists go around disrespecting the rappers that were hear before them...Nicki Minaj dissing Lil Kim...Drake and Big Sean talking disrespecful about Ludacris, and Now Drake dissing Common. But, i think it is good for Hip Hop. I am expecting second round of the Drake/Common rap battle, and i hope they bought make full songs and not just 16 bar verses.

Drake and Common Beef

At this point, they haven't taken it to the point where they are making back and forth diss tracks at each other, but it is clear that there is beef between Common and Drake. It all started when Common released a new single from his The Dreamer/The Believer album, "Sweet", which had some lines that people say was directed at Drake. And Common later admitted the fact in a couple of interviews.



Presently, everybody seem to be dissing everybody, but what i don't like is that they don't take it anywhere. I am not talking violence, i just want to hear some really great rap battle songs. You know...like when Canibus went at LL Cool J...or even the Game and G-Unit beef era...although that was too one-sided. Anyway, i would have loved if Young Jeezy and Rick Ross made some songs to back up all their beef...or Big Sean replying Ludacris's "Badaboom" diss.



All that happens now is just talk talk talk...a couple of interviews, and then the whole thing dies. I don't know where this Common and Drake issue is coming from. It could be from some personal thing, that got dragged on wax. Below is what Common said about the "Sweet"...

"Hey, he opened his mouth and said some things. So if he wants it, that's what he wants, all that subliminal, you can do that too. But you might want to say that now," he said. "I mean, the verse is about me, but when you hear some stuff on the chorus, it's like you can't help but think about dude, and that's what he felt. So at the end of the day, he fit in that category. He already embraced it, so wear it." ("Sway in the Morning")

Common also appeared on "106 and Park" to discuss the issue...

"I look at it as hip-hop. He felt, obviously, what I said in 'Sweet,' he must have felt he was one of the people being addressed, so he decided to say what he had to say and I said, 'Hey, we can keep it on a hip-hop level' because I think he's a good artist. He's a talented guy, so, but if I'm saying, 'Yo, look we're in the ring, and you want to get in the ring,' then we just need to get in the ring. And I'm talking about on the mic, aight? [laughs] ... [Could I go back into battling?] Yeah, because I love hip-hop, I love the culture of hip-hop." ("106 & Park")

I don't know if this is good for Common or not, cos Drake and his friend, "40", who is also his producer, have been taking shots at Common on a subliminal level. Drake was in Vegas recently, and he went directly at Common-


In a recent performance in Las Vegas, Drake reportedly increased tensions by addressing Common on stage. "I might sing, but I ain't no bitch." said the Toronto rapper. "If Common got something to say, say it to my face." Will Drizzy have to catch a body like that? A ridiculous situation indeed. (The Silver Tongue Online)

He is definitely calling Common a bitch for not coming direct to say what was on his mind. But it gets worse...40 goes in harder on Common. Read his tweets below-

"@common, I remember being called a b*tch in grade 9 cause I had your cd. Good thing I also had 456 by kool g rap on me. Now that's real ;)," he tweeted December 20th.

"After [1997's] "one day it'll all make sense" came out I spent months arguing weather or not @common was hip hop. Everyone was saying it was too rnb."

"I'm not dissing, just facts. I love common. I also love swv and John b."

"@QtipTheAbstract, never! Common is in my top 5 always has been. Hes also been brave enough to be different. I respect that as well. #irony" (40's Twitter)

I'm sure you caught all the indirect disses in those tweets...hmm! Below are some lyrics from the song that caused the tension-


Yeah, man, y’all niggas man, you soft muthfuckers
Yeah my man, muthafcker
Then come around my crib
You know where I’m from
Some hoes ass niggas
Singing all around me man, la la la
You aint muthaf-cking Frank Sinatra
Uh, lil bitch
Yeah, this the raw right here
Yeah this the raw right here nigga
Sweet muthafuckas
Sweet ass bitch muthafucka

You know man, you should know where I come from
You should know who I am nigga
You should never wanna go against me
You know man, you too soft for that man
I be seeing you man, I see it in your eyes man
You aint the type of nigga to go against me
You get in my presence you gon’ feel like a little hoe
You aint a man yet, you tryna be somebody else
Man, be yourself man, you come around my crib, you get your shit took
Huh, wherever you go, you probably be overseas in Europe and get yo shit took
You’s a hoe, you know you sweet
Aint nothing you can do man, people see that man
Broads be seeing you sweet
Done wit’ you muthafuckas, it’s over for you
It’s over for you? It’s over, sweet muthafucka

I think it is clear that he is talking to Drake, but i still believe there is something behind this that we don't know. I don't believe Common would just pick on Drake for no apparent reason.

First Week Sales Projections Of Common's The Dreamer/The Believer

Common's The Dreamer/The Believer dropped two days ago, and according to HITS Daily Double, it has been projected to sell between 55-65k first week. I predicted it would sell between 60-120k first week. so i am onpoint. Read more below-





Windy City hip-hop icon Common's Think Common/Warner Bros. bow, The Dreamer/The Believer, looks headed for first-week sales of between 55-65k. His last album, 2008's Universal Mind Control, on G.O.O.D./Geffen, debuted with 82k.
 



Common has always sold within this range, so this is another successful album for him. When you don't attach any kind of gimmick to your music, it is always hard to sell big...but i think he is cool with this sales. It's a great album, and he now has more songs to perform on tour.

Common Says Nas Is His Favourite Rapper

Common was asked who his favourite rapper is at a recent interview, and he named Nas.  Well, that is his choice, so no one has to disagree with him. He didn't say Nas is the Greatest Rapper, he just said Nas is his favourite. He definitely has reasons for saying that, unlike a lot of people that have that "sheep state of mind" mentality.

You can what he said below-

“I would say Nas, that’s my favorite rapper. It’s tough, because [Jay-Z] is one of the greatest and many can argue,” he said, “but Nas is so poetic with it and I feel like his lyrics, you can write them down on paper and they will last for time. It would be like literature that we read.”

I totally agree with him on that one. And a lot of people that are really into the art will agree with that. Sometimes, it is not about making the hits that no one would care about 5-10 years times; it is about making that timeless music, and sure, Nas makes that.

Nas and Common recently collabed on a track, Ghetto Dreams, and there is talks of a full length collabo album in the making.

And yeah, by the way, that pic is from the photo-shoot of one of Fat Joe;s videos from 1995.