Common shared “Lovestar” the single a few days ago and today he premiered his Love Star documentary at Essence Magazine’s site. A variety of Black women and Common talk about their experiences with love. Common explains the meaning behind the song and film: “So, the theme, Love Star, came up just because I thought it was a cool nickname to call somebody that you’re close to. You know how people say, ‘oh, that’s my bae’ or my ‘boo’ or ‘my girl,’ like we used to say. Love Star is

“So, the theme, Love Star, came up just because I thought it was a cool nickname to call somebody that you’re close to. You know how people say, ‘oh, that’s my bae’ or my ‘boo’ or ‘my girl,’ like we used to say. Love Star is like a beautiful way of describing somebody important in your life that you care about. Then, when I knew I was a part of the Essence Festival, I was like, what better way that to show that love than expressing that to a Black woman. I know the Essence Fest as a whole is all about honoring Black women but, I also wanted to honor Black women myself, as a Black man. I wanted to show that we revere and hold you high, Black woman. We love you and care for you and honor you.”

[youtube id=”c8EOlLb_4ho”] Common has collaborated with Marsha Ambrosius on the romantic “Lovestar.” It’s been two years since his last album, Nobody’s Smiling, and  he’s been very busy with movies most recently appearing in Suicide Squad. No I.D. exclusively produced Nobody’s Smiling and they are working together again on Common’s upcoming Little Chicago Boy. The producer shared the single “Home” earlier this summer on the Soulection radio show. “Lovestar” is the second leak from the album that will be released before the end of 2016.

Jesse Williams, Common, Chris Rock and John Legend are some of the performers scheduled for the ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ Social Justice Music and Arts Festival. Harry Belafonte’s Sankofa organization is presenting the event they describe as “the biggest music and arts festival dedicated to social justice.” The festival takes place October 1st & 2nd in Chattahoochee, Georgia and tickets will go on sale July 29th on the Sankofa.org site.

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John Legend and Common perform “Glory” from the Selma soundtrack at the Oscars and they take home the little gold man for Best Original Song.