Common
Common
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMusician
Date of Birth13 March 1972
CountryUnited States of America
powerful hip-hop elements
One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly.
mom powerful voice
My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.
certain describe influence life mom obviously powerful voice
My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life, and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.
chance laugh microphone power somewhere speak words
Man, if I get a chance to speak on the microphone, I've got to say something somewhere in there. You know, I'm going to laugh and have fun, too, but something has to be said that has some substance, because this is a platform, and the power that we have with words and with this microphone is phenomenal.
album contribute named physical
That's why I named my album 'Finding Forever,' because that's what I was thinking about: What did I want to contribute to this world that would live beyond my physical existence?
against dude feeling hear hold loved movies music people personal remember seen song
I think you really have to remember what you loved about making music in the first place. Ultimately, people can be like, 'We've seen this dude in many movies,' but if they hear a song and they're feeling it, they can look past all the personal things and not hold it against you that you're also an actor.
art believe decide excellent hears matter music quality reviews whoever work
I believe that music is about making quality things, making quality art, and no matter who you decide to work with, you and that person have to come up with something special, come up with something that is excellent material, so whoever hears it and reviews it will like it.
artist came chicago rap side south wanting
I came from the South Side of Chicago wanting to be a rap artist and make videos.
america build built ourselves
What America was built on was being able to say, 'Hey, we're going to come in and use our resources to build for ourselves and our communities and build around that. We're not going to depend on others.'
music types
Me as an artist, I've ventured off into doing all types of music. I'll do a jazz album, you know what I mean.
beats incredible
It was incredible to have J Dilla in your dining room making beats - it was one of the greatest experiences I've had.
men able way
To me to be a storyteller is you got to be able to speak the truth. You've got to be able to absorb life and take in life and be able to interpret it in a way that anybody in this room could say, "Man, that's my story. I can relate to that."
artist names achievement
To have my name said like, "Common and John Legend, Golden Globe nominees," is one of the greatest achievements I've ever had as an artist, as a person.
fun judging acting
The human being that I strive to be is a great human being, like a loving human being, but as an actor, you take on roles that are not you and that's the fun part for me as far as acting goes. You really get to learn about other human beings and not judge.