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:::Music Review:::
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Common - "BE"
by William Ashanti Hobbs
author and co-owner of Meroen Press
June 2005
This Music Review is sponsored by:
1102 S. Adams St., ste.#5 - Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.222.6940 - www.flavamusic.net
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Undoubtedly among the more innovative rappers on the
scene today, plenty hip hop heads have sat back to see
when the commercial success of his less talented
peers would affect Common’s penchant for
consciousness. The true love of hip hop always found
in his work has now become synonymous with the
"backpackers" and of course, has little respect in
circles of poseurs looking to merely cash in on the
culture.
Though 2002’s highly experimental "The Electric
Circus" was another crown artistically, Erykah Badu
drama, an alliance with wildly successful studio
wunderkid (and backpacker) Kanye West and David
Chappelle Show exposure have aligned themselves like a
forewarned prophecy to make whatever album Common
would drop next get a serious sit down with heads from
the street to the corporate offices.
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Enter "BE", an
engaging, clean collection of pure hip hop that more
than positions itself to be the artist’s due for years
of marginal recognition.
Common kicks it with legends The Last Poets for
substance to the madness at the edge of the block on
"The Corner." The beats that Kanye West backs the
flows with are timeless and compliment Common’s
lyrical bent at every turn. Wet dream-friendly "GO!"
brings Common together with the unusual pairing of
West and alternative rocker John Mayer. The result is
a dream-like groove that should come out of the
Brookstone shiatsu chairs as they work you over.
"Faithful" is Common at one of his more contemplative,
yet tenuous moments. Attempting to tackle the issue of
fidelity without defending cheaters (in this case,
men) or coming weak and looking uxorious, Common
flirts with the Kobe zone by describing a man who
justifies himself to his woman by saying that at least
he isn’t "as bad as Eric Benet." John Legend is used
in a odd way, ending the song with taking over the
chorus.
In spite of that, Common gives a Slick Rick-like
storytelling clinic with the Superfly-esque
"Testify." The building tension makes the dope
dealer’s lady’s surprise at the end a standard for
rapper’s who obsess over the subject of street life
but struggle to keep a listener’s attention. "Love
Is…" has your boy damn near singing the chorus as he
delves into the insecurities of brothers holding
emotions inside concerning relationships. "Chi-City"
is the best anthem for the Windy City to date. Common
comes in dropping metaphors that pop like fish grease:
I rap with the passion of Christ, niggas cross me
Took it outta space and niggas thought they lost me
I'm back like a chiropract wit’ b-boy survival rap
This ain't '94 Joe we can't go back
"The Food", taken from the David Chappelle show
taping, is an instant classic that has a dirty Wu-Tang
beat delivery, while “Real People” sparkles with a
profound understanding of mankind and the game of
life. "They Say" utilizes John Legend far better than
"Faithful." Both Kanye and Common rhyme on what it is
like being an artist in a time where people are built
up only to be torn down. Russian author Leo Tolstoy
once said that music is "the shorthand of emotion."
With "BE", Common’s interpretations of black life in
Chi-City and beyond will translate to the hearts of
the righteous and not so righteous as an organic whole
instead of the two unevenly competing against one
another as found in previous offerings. He may well
become the Curtis Mayfield of hip hop. “BE” is one of
the best albums this year so far.
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