Common

When I was compiling my top 10 rappers list of the last decade or so, I managed to forget Common's name.

As much as I've been disinterested in hip hop for about 20 years, Common is still one of the few I respect to this day.

As a matter of fact, the Resurrection reissue got me open when I saw it in a Montreal record store. I already have the CD but to have the album in vinyl form is enough to resurrect my interest in him and his music.

I would learn later that Common released a new album in 2014 called Nobody Smiling. I don`t visit the websites that would inform me of hip hop album release dates enough to have known about that news.

I got to a point where I wished I was listening to Resurrection while listening to that 2014 album.

I started listening to it and stopped after 2-3 songs. I listened to it from beginning to end later on. Common's still very lyrical but the album is practically pointless. It made me realize that the classic they wanted him to make with Be very well could have been released under the name Resurrection. I don't care if I never hear this 2014 album again. After listening to this last album of his, I was more than ready to get that Resiurrection reissue.



 I'll give you that about the album being refreshing in this climate of hip hop. Maybe I wanted, expected, hoped or NEEDED more from him especially after learning he was releasing a new album here. I'll tell you this. If asked for Common's best work, this new one doesn't make the cut and neither does any album he made after Be except for Finding Forever. I'm a little disappinted to be disregarding Common albums since he's still recording them.

LOL How dare I? I'm not the one recording albums be they weak or strong. You know damn well Meth hasn't released a slamming album in...drum roll please....20 years.

You kinda proved my point or at least expressed my sentiments. Meth has released nearly 6 albums but you, myself and most people that really know their stuff only care about Tical. Common's been recording since 1992 and the last 2-3 albums have been a waste of time. He's experimented, come back and managed to drop a few classics in the process. It took this new album for me to realize Resurrection is a better album than I thought and one that I feel I need to Be hearing more of now.

It's almost sad for me to come to the conclusion that Common is one of my favorite MCs and I'm at a stage of my life, and his career, when I can say I may have heard all the Common I may have needed to hear.

I think the purpose of this album was for him to cement his place as Chi Town's premier MC considering he's been in the game for over 20 years and still recording albums today. If No ID did all the production I was left disappointed for more than half the album. We DID hear No ID better.....on Resurrection.....

I agree with you Alain. There aren't many golden era hip hop artists relevant today. Jay-Z let me down with that Magna Carta last year. Common dropped a weak one this year.....

I agree with what Brian just said about the Common album. My opinion or comments come from a consumer standpoint. As I stated before, my disappointment in the new Common makes me justify spending double for the Resurrection vinyl reissue than I would for the new album. Just for fun, put aside the fact I'm now willing to pay more for the same MC's 1994 album than his 2014 one.