VIDEO: COMMON - "Blue Sky"

VIDEO: COMMON - "Let's Move" (Produced By dsteele)

I am loving this video concept filled with images of hand drawn scenes by visual artist and producer dsteele.

Outrage Over COMMON's Invitation To The White House

HUFFINGTON POST reports that First Lady Michelle Obama had some poets over to the White House to read some poetry, and one of those poets is Chicago rapper Common. Some have expressed outrage that Common was invited due to a few lyrics from some of his past work. Websites such as the DAILY CALLER and FOX NATION have condemned his invitation due to older lyrics/poetry that includes threats to shoot police and at least one passage calling for the "burn[ing]" of then-President George W. Bush. Smells like out of touch GOP sympathizers. Fox Nation even labels Common as "vile". HUH???!! The below video of Common's poem "Letter To The Law" included the content in question. Read the above links for the story.

VIDEO: Common's Universal Mind Control @ KUBE 93's Sound Session

On 12-13-08, the legendary Common Sense made his 4th appearance on KUBE 93's Sunday Night Sound Session in Seattle. Instead of a traditional interview with DJ Hyphen and J. Moore, Interscope/Geffen/A&M connected with KUBE 93 to throw a listening party for Common's new "Universal Mind Control" album with 50 lucky winners.

Watch as Com talks about the creative process for every track on the album and what it was like to work with the Neptunes, Mr. DJ, Kanye West, Cee-Lo, and more.


Common's Universal Mind Control x KUBE 93's Sound Session (Pt. 1) from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.


Common's Universal Mind Control x KUBE 93's Sound Session (Pt. 2) from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.

Common Spotted in Upcoming Blockbuster

The screenshot above reveals Common in a featured role in next summer's TERMINATOR: SALVATION starring Christian Bale. Common may become the next Will Smith with all these high profile blockbusters- Smoking Aces, Wanted, Street Kings, American Gangster and a rumored role as Green Lantern in a Justice League movie. Common has a great screen presence and hasn't disappointed with his roles. Along with Ludacris and Andre 3000, they are proving to have some serious acting chops. Check the trailer for TERMINATOR: SALVATION

VIDEO: COMMON- "Universal Mind Control"

Check out the new video from Common "Universal Mind Control" from the album of the same name due December 9th. Produced by the Neptunes, it channels an eighties Soulsonic Force vibe..

VIDEO: Let's Get Free: The Black August Hip Hop Project

The Black August Hip Hop Project strives to promote human rights though supporting and influencing the global development of Hip Hop culture. By facilitating exchanges between international communities where Hip Hop is a vital part of youth culture, they promote awareness about the social and political issues that affect our global communities. Their vision is to bring culture and politics together and to allow them to naturally evolve into a unique Hip Hop consciousness that informs our collective struggle for a more just, equitable and human world. This film documents the movement through a series of interviews and performances with hip hop artists and key members of the black activist movement.

VIDEO: Common Raps At Trinity United Church of Christ

Although this is from the beginning of this year (New Year's Eve to be exact), is is never too late to post as it represents unity and fellowship among the church and the Hip Hop generation. Thank you to Davey D for pointing me to the original article by Jawn Murray on BLACKVOICES.COM detailing Common's relation ship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Now the name should be familiar with those following American politics. This is the same reverend that formerly led the church that presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, is a member of. Over the last few months, Obama has been criticized for having Rev. Wright as his spiritual advisor in light of Rev. Wright's past sermons. In his sermons, Rev. Wright has made comments considered to be inflammatory in nature. Obama has since distanced himself from those comments but maintains a relationship with a man he considers as a fatherly influence in his life. In the article reprinted by Davey D., Common speaks on his long tenured membership at the same church, his respect for Rev. Wright and reveals he has dropped lyrics on stage at the church. Below is a video from this year's New Year's Eve service and you see the Reverend tell Common to kick a freestyle..