Historical Figure
Common
b. 1972
American rapper and actor (born 1972)
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Biography
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known professionally as Common, is an American rapper, actor and activist. The recipient of three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, he signed with the independent label Relativity Records at the age of 20. The label released his first three studio albums: Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992), Resurrection (1994) and One Day It'll All Make Sense (1997). He maintained an underground following into the late 1990s, and achieved mainstream success through his work with the Black music collective Soulquarians.
In Their Own Words (5)
This industry will make you lose intensity
"The 6th Sense" (Track 9) , 2000
I look into my daughter's eyes. And realize that I'ma learn through her. The Messiah, might even return through her. If I'ma do it, I gotta change the world through her
"Be (Intro)" (Track 1) , 2005
I'm the truth, across the table from corporate lies Immortilized by the realness I bring to it If revolution had a movie I'd be theme music My music, you can either fight, fuck, or dream to it
"The 6th Sense" (Track 9) , 2000
My style is too developed to be arrested It's the freestyle, so now it's out on parole They tried to hold my soul in a holding cell so I would sell but I bonded with a break and had enough to make bail
"Resurrection" (Track 1) , 1994
I fight, with myself in the ring of doubt and fear The rain ain't gone, but I can still see clear As a child, given religion with no answer to why Just told believe in Jesus cause for me he did die Curiosity killed the catechism Understanding and wisdom became the rhythm that I played to And became a slave to master self A rich man is one with knowledge, happiness and his health My mind had dealt with the books of Zen, Tao the lessons of the Koran and Bible, to me they all vital And got truth within 'em, gotta read them boys You just can't skim 'em, different branches of belief But one root that stem 'em, but people of the venom try to trim 'em And use religion as an emblem When it should be a natural way of life Who am I or they to say to whom you pray ain't right? That's who got you doin' right and got you this far Whether you say "in Jesus name" or "Al hum du'Allah" Long as you know it's a being that's supreme to you You let that show towards others in the things you do Cause when the trumpets blowin', 24 elders surround the throne Only 144,000 gon get home
"G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition)" (Track 7) , 1997
Timeline
The story of Common, told in moments.
Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. in Chicago. His father was a basketball coach and ABA player. His mother, Mahalia Ann Hines, was an educator. He grew up on the South Side.
Released his debut album Can I Borrow a Dollar? under the name Common Sense. A trademark dispute later forced the name change to Common.
Signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music label. The album Be, produced by West, was critically acclaimed and went gold.
Won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with John Legend for "Glory" from the film Selma. He performed it at the Oscars ceremony.
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