9) Universal Mind Control (2008): C’mon Com. You’ll never own the club – and that’s not a bad thing. Everyone can appreciate an artist trying to ‘branch out’ – but let’s keep it real. U.M.C wasn’t a ‘movement’, save for one or two cuts, it’s what we call a “failure to launch.”
8) Electric Circus (2002): We get it. Erykah was in your life…we understand. “Come Close” with Mary was touching and “Soul Power” was a lyrical assault on the rap game – but the circus was alive and a little too well on this album.
7) Can I Borrow A Dollar (1992): Originally known as Common Sense, the Chicago emcee burst on the scene with this frantically-paced welcome note. It wasn’t as memorable a debut as other notable rap titans, but check out “Breaker 1/9” and “Soul By The Pound” – a star was set to emerge.
6) Finding Forever (2007): It was hard to follow up Be but this was a solid showing. Finding Forever embraced Common’s inner Hollywood that was just starting to emerge with roles in some films. “Southside” won Common his first Grammy award, but “The People” stands out.
5) One Day It’ll Make Sense (1997): Don’t sleep on this album. Great production, and both thoughtful & witty flows from Common makes this one a must have. It also features a heavyweight collaboration with Lauryn Hill, “Retrospect for Life,” which reminds you why Common = storyteller.
4) Like For Water For Chocolate (2000): This is as complete an album as you’ll hear – a perfect blend of gritty rhymes and mainstream appeal. “The Light” charmed us, while DJ Premier’s scratches on “6th Sense” combined with Com’s lyricism made us cheer hip-hop again. Bravo.
3) The Dreamer, The Believer (2011): Common has plenty of reasons to “Celebrate” in 2011-most notably, a soulful and timeless album. “Windows” is a heartfelt ode to his daughter and cuts like “Sweet” and “Raw (How You Like It)” reminds emcees not to get Com’s superstardom twisted.
2) Resurrection (1994): Com’s sophomore album featured one of hip-hop’s greatest tributes and cautionary tales, “I Used To Love H.E.R.” This is classic Common, fit with production from his real producer-in-crime, No I.D. Resurrection belongs in hip-hop’s hall of fame.
1) Be (2005): Some would say this album put Common back on the map – a map he took himself off of with his previous work Electric Circus. If Kanye’s assist on “The Corner” was any indication, Common was ready to box with anyone who dare say he wasn’t on top of his game.
When Common said on 2007’s Finding Forever that he had his “SAG card,” most chuckled. But in 2011, Common’s starring in movies, a cable show and is a successful author.
theGrio: Common says he has ‘no regrets’ on N-word track with Maya Angelou
His latest release, The Dreamer, The Believer, is his ninth, nearly 20 years after his first release Can I Borrow A Dollar?. It features collaborations from Nas, John Legend and production from No I.D., who’s been with Com since the beginning. Common, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., has put Chicago on the map and has built a career known for both its longevity and creativity.
To commemorate the release of Common’s new album today, theGrio set out to rank each of Common’s nine major studio releases. We break down each record and why it stands as a classic or why even Common needed a new direction.
So why did Jay-Z say he wish he could rhyme like Common Sense on 2003’s “Moment of Clarity”? Click through our slideshow to find out…
