Common and Pete Rock share the video for their gratitude-giving jam “Fortunate.” Common shares scenes from his native Chicago hometown to illustrate many of the things he’s so thankful for. The Auditorium Vol. 1 is out now. 

Common and Pete Rock have released their collaboration album, The Auditorium Vol. 1. The Chicago legend and producer king share their admiration for hip-hop and each other’s work on a journey that defies ageist critiques of rap. They open the album with the jazzy “Dreamin,'” and it is quickly apparent that Common’s warm word alchemy still moves spirits and the crowd. Rock’s brilliant sample of Aretha Franklin’s “Daydreaming” glides in its support of Common’s sunlit musings that acknowledge but are not limited to Dr. Maya Angelou, MLK, J.Dilla, Prince, and Gladys Knight. Rock’s hands help tell Common’s stories with chemistry that compliments and never tries to override the MC’s ideas.

The Auditorium Vol. 1 keeps things engaging with rhythmic calm, straight rap, and poetry. “So Many People,” featuring Bilal, describes hope and faith as a woman Common has been entwined with throughout his life. The pro-woman imagery is presented again in “A God (There Is),” with a guest appearance from Jennifer Hudson, who brings her gospel chops to the fold. Rock produces and gets behind the microphone on “All Kinds of Ideas” to brag about his limitless creativity with Common and Rakim’s sampled voice from “Eric B. Is President.” It’s been three years since Common and Pete Rock released their individual albums, and it was long enough for them to have been missed. The Auditorium Vol. 1 is a solid welcome back and further proof that Gen X is far from being done with hip-hop. 

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https://youtu.be/tIDsaJNYib0

Common released his A Beautiful Revolution EP which is free right before the election. Here he is performing “Say Peace” with Black Thought and PJ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.  The new EP is more of Common’s thoughts on Black life in America with a balance between caution and hope. Romance and love is also a part of The Beautiful Revolution. Black Thought, PJ and Lenny Kravitz have contributions to the music that offers a soothing backdrop to all of the current election chaos. 

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Will all the coronavirus quarantine concerts spark a new industry of live-streaming shows? 

U know it’s fucked up when Instagram call u and tell u that u banned ?

— Big ? (@FreddieGibbs) March 19, 2020

Why did Freddie Gibbs get banned from Instagram? 

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Was Mike Tyson serious when he said that Eminem is the only white man to know what it feels like to be a n&**$?