Common
If there was one word to compile everything I’ve learned about Common, it would be love. His most recent album Let Love, and book Let Love Have the Last Word, expand on how this specific sentiment has helped him work through many of his life experiences. Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., more well known as Common, was born in the Southside of Chicago. He first stepped in the music scene as Common Sense but eventually changed his name to Common after he was sued by a band for the use of his stage name. Starting off as an underground rapper, he made his way to the top earning an Emmy, Grammy and an Oscar and is just a Tony award away from being an EGOT. His talents in music have flourished over the years and have led him to become an activist in his community and many around the U.S.
He is courageously vulnerable. Through his book, Let Love Have the Last Word, and his song “Memories of Home'', he gives guidance for women and especially men, to speak out and seek restoration from sexual molestation. In both his book and song, he reveals his personal experience of this trauma and his journey to healing many years later. As he communicated his experiences on the road to restoration, he helped pry the door open to rid the negative connotation that is attached to the idea of seeking therapy. We need to treat the pain and trauma we are going through, and sometimes this means turning to a professional who has trained and studied to help humans heal. Common mentions that without healing from our past experiences we distribute the pain we receive. In his own life, he received his father’s untreated pain and was unconsciously passing the collection of his and his father's pain on to his daughter. After conversation and reconciliation with his daughter, he speaks out on how we need to break this abandonment and pain cycle in our lives. Therapy not only helped him, but in turn benefited many of his friendships and relationships. Therapy helps with having a better understanding of yourself and an improved practice of self-love. This allows individuals to express feelings and needs during times of frustration or anger or whatever sentiments that might be present. Love is a daily practice and when self-love is present, it is easier to show this affection to other people.
Aside from having beautiful and engaging instrumental elements, his lyrics are dynamic and meaningful. The combination of these components caused me to fall in love with his music instantly. It’s an amazing thing when a song can make you feel like an emotion is consuming your entire being and that is exactly the effect many of his songs have on me. I am overwhelmed with an array of feelings every time I hear “Letter to the Free”. The song features Bilal, who is an exquisite vocalist. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay collaborated with Common when she was releasing the movie 13th. This song is written completely around the unbelievable loophole of the 13th amendment, which the film details. The truth, soul and raw emotions in this song are beautifully unbearable. One of my favorite performances of Common is a Tiny Desk Concert at The White House. He sings “Letter to the Free” along with many of his other well-known songs while expanding on the meaning and truth behind the making of them.
Common is an inspiring artist and activist. He continues to make strides in moving our culture forward. In one of his interviews he expands on how he wants to use his platform to speak up for the people who can’t. He wants to deliver suppressed messages and address injustices for the people who are being silenced and ostracized. After his song “Retrospect for Life”, he realized he wanted to use the microphone for a higher purpose in life. Music is notably powerful and can have an affect on the lives of many people. Not only does he speak up through his music, but he shows up for his community. He recently launched a charter school in the South Side of Chicago called Art in Motion (AIM). This is a creative arts school that opened in 2019. This school is focused on helping students achieve their fullest academic and artistic potential. Common talks about the idea behind this school in a few interviews and reveals how little social, emotional and wellness learning there is in schools. As he was growing up there weren’t a whole lot of places children were able to go to and engage in the world of arts. It’s hard for students to imagine success in different industries if they’re not being shown in their younger years.
Common started the Common Ground Foundation with the notion to help people help themselves. He has recently been involved in the Know Your Rights campaign. Colin Kaepernick, former NFL player and social activist, started the Know Your Rights campaign which brings awareness to youth about their legal rights and resources they can use. These campaigns have a wide variety of teachings ranging from financial literacy, health and wellness, resources for higher education and knowledge of self. Many of the Know Your Rights campaigns and insightful seminars have happened through the youth education programs provided by the Common Ground FND. The mission of the foundation is, “To empower high school students from under-served communities to become future leaders. Our programs focus on character development, social impact, healthy living, technology, financial literacy, creative arts, and global leadership.”. I think bringing the Know Your Rights campaign to these students fulfills many goals the foundation has for their involved students.
It’s hard to put into words the prodigious amount of astounding qualities Common has. How do you encapsulate a person this great into a few paragraphs? His spirituality is inspiring and radiates through all he does. I know his music will continue to inspire others and speak for those whose voices aren’t heard.
Listen to the playlist I compiled Here.
