Yesterday I was talking to a friend about the new Common LP. We compared our preconceptions of what it would sound like, we both agreed that Com has shown tremendous growth from album to album, however we disagreed on the production aspect of the album. I thought that he should have stuck with No I.D., Doug Infinite and Y-Not, instead of going with Jay Dee, Primo and the Roots. But he thought that the outside producers would help him develop more on the new album instead of falling into "monotony" (relatively speaking), however on his first three albums he stuck with the same crew and grew each time. And no disrespect to Primo (my all time favorite prodcucer), The Roots, and Jay Dee, I think that if it isn't broke then don't fix it. In my opinion, No I.D. (along with Ski, but I'm not gonna get into that) is by far the most underrated producer in Hip Hop and it's a shame that he's not gonna be on the new album after helping make the first three classics. It's even more of a shame because he rarely works with artists outide of Com. Maybe I'm just afraid of change but after the beautiful beats on the other albums, I don't see why the winning formula should be changed. Does anyone know why Com decided to change his production crew? Has No I.D. been doing any other producing lately? (His album was real cool and the instrumental LP he put out "Invisible Beats" is nice as well) Also is Mista Sinista still gonna be Com's DJ?

Collect all 9 at www.djlowkey.com->

MIA #1 w/Median
MIA #2 w/Tanya Morgan
The Fixtape w/Che Grand
Relief In The Making w/Median & 9th Wonder
Beat Thieves 2 w/Ilwil
Ketchup w/TiRon
Die Jerm Die w/Jermiside
De La Extras #2
The Solution Tape #1 w/U-N-I & Ro

whenever someone becomes a cult figure, people in an attempt to be ahead of the pack before others jump on the bandwagon start to claim love and admiration for products of said artist. but the truth is. common always had a beautiful ability to use words. but i'm sorry. none of common's albums hold classic status to me. (although ressurection had stellar moments). when i say classic i mean all the way no fast forward material. look, can you at least hear this record? i'm tired and i gotta stop this 3am defending my art shit.<P><P><P><P><P><P><P>>Yesterday I was talking to a friend <BR>>about the new Common LP. We <BR>>compared our preconceptions of what it <BR>>would sound like, we both agreed <BR>>that Com has shown tremendous growth <BR>>from album to album, however we <BR>>disagreed on the production aspect of <BR>>the album. I thought that he <BR>>should have stuck with No I.D., <BR>>Doug Infinite and Y-Not, instead of <BR>>going with Jay Dee, Primo and <BR>>the Roots. But he thought that <BR>>the outside producers would help him <BR>>develop more on the new album <BR>>instead of falling into "monotony" (relatively <BR>>speaking), however on his first three <BR>>albums he stuck with the same <BR>>crew and grew each time. And <BR>>no disrespect to Primo (my all <BR>>time favorite prodcucer), The Roots, and <BR>>Jay Dee, I think that if <BR>>it isn't broke then don't fix <BR>>it. In my opinion, No I.D. <BR>>(along with Ski, but I'm not <BR>>gonna get into that) is by <BR>>far the most underrated producer in <BR>>Hip Hop and it's a shame <BR>>that he's not gonna be on <BR>>the new album after helping make <BR>>the first three classics. It's even <BR>>more of a shame because he <BR>>rarely works with artists outide of <BR>>Com. Maybe I'm just afraid of <BR>>change but after the beautiful beats <BR>>on the other albums, I don't <BR>>see why the winning formula should <BR>>be changed. Does anyone know why <BR>>Com decided to change his production <BR>>crew? Has No I.D. been doing <BR>>any other producing lately? (His album <BR>>was real cool and the instrumental <BR>>LP he put out "Invisible Beats" <BR>>is nice as well) Also is <BR>>Mista Sinista still gonna be Com's <BR>>DJ? <P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

check the resume

organix-93
(from the ground up)-94
do you want more?!!???!-95
illadelph halflife-96
things fall apart-99
(the legendary)-99
the roots come alive-99
phrenology-2002
the tipping point-2004
(the roots present...) 2004
homegrown: the beginne

but i'm sorry. <BR>>none of common's albums hold classic <BR>>status to me. (although ressurection had <BR>>stellar moments). when i say classic <BR>>i mean all the way no <BR>>fast forward material. <P>I don't fast forward Ressurection OR One Day It'll All Make Sense.<P>look, can you <BR>>at least hear this record? i'm <BR>>tired and i gotta stop this <BR>>3am defending my art shit. <P>I think you're taking this post as a direct stab at you when it really shouldn't be. I will most definitely listen, hear, breathe and digest this album simply because I know it won't be anything but dope. I however have never heard anything by NoI.D. that can be considered less than dope (outside of his experimentation on the Imfamous Syndicate's album). Even Com said it himself, "he's one of the top 5 producers out right now". I personally have no problem with Com seeking other production for his new album, but he shouldn't totally abandon the beatmaker that helped make him into the best MC around right now. Now you might say that being a dope MC has nothing to do with beats but if that's the case, how do you explain Canibus, Chino XL, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, Kurupt, and a large amount of KRS, Rakim and Kane's recent work? Going back, I can understand Com having different producers, but he should have at least two beats by NoI.D. I think that it would go along perfectly with Jay, Prim and your production. But that's just my opinion.<P>"I'm coming after U, like the letter V"---Lo of Binary Star<P>"I'm deadlier than having cyanide in your pores"---Juice<P>"Put 'em on the glass, girl!!!"---Sir Mix A Lot <BR>

i'm back...?

apparently illwill is really hoping the "four horsemen" get some good beats.<P><BR>"A&R's had me feeling like Moss in the draft" -- Jay-Z

a couple months back Quest said that the producers on Com's album would be:<BR>JayDee<BR>Organized Noise<BR>Primo<BR>Roots<BR>NoID<P>either my memory sux or NoID will still do a track or two(or more) but no matter what, this album will be bangin.

"I buttfuck MC's" Pharoahe Monch

I can truly say there ain't a song on that album that I skip. That = a classic for me.<P>"One Day" has a couple I could do without.

"Time is just memory mixed with desire" - Tom Waits

"Silence is the loudest parting word..you never say" -Ben Harper

I couldn't disagree with you anymore on that post. Most folks that I know who REALLY feel Com believe that "Resurrection" is a hip-hop masterpiece. While I liked "One Day...", I don't think it touched "Resurrection". Actually, I think the wannabe talent-pickers to whom you're referring are the ones who point to "One Day..." and Com's various singles post-1995 as a sign of greatness to come, moreso than the "old school" (whatever that means) fans who have thought he was nice since "Take it EZ".<P>"Resurrection" STILL has no fast-forward material, and I can only say that about a handful of other albums released in the past ten years. No ID and Y-Not are a significant part of that.

>whenever someone becomes a cult figure, people <BR>>in an attempt to be ahead <BR>>of the pack before others jump <BR>>on the bandwagon start to claim <BR>>love and admiration for products of <BR>>said artist. but the truth is. <BR>>common always had a beautiful ability <BR>>to use words. but i'm sorry. <BR>>none of common's albums hold classic <BR>>status to me. (although ressurection had <BR>>stellar moments). when i say classic <BR>>i mean all the way no <BR>>fast forward material. look, can you <BR>>at least hear this record? i'm <BR>>tired and i gotta stop this <BR>>3am defending my art shit.<P>I don't think it's a ?uestion of NO I.D. vs The Roots, it's just that, when Common's main collaborator for the past 7 years goes from producing 90% of his work to 0%, people are gonna wonder. No one's saying that the new LP is not gonna be dope (yet <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif">), but NO I.D. and Common made an incredible team, and two classic LP's, IMHO (aiight, I still love Can I Borrow A Dollar?, but you know...). Like with anything else in this world, it's just hard to accept change sometimes. But like Angieee says, 'change is good'. Right?<P>________________________________________<BR>Dr. Squeegee ~ Boycotting happiness until God decides to dead the sub-zero tempratures and daily "how many inches can we rack up today?" snow marathons.

3 points.<P>1- Resurrection does hold classic status for me. i admit being from chi i might have some bias, but i think it'd be classic if i was from omaha, or if Com was representing nyc. the intricate lyricism is the main strngth of the album, but to me the production is butter as well.<P>2- dissapointed no chicago connections (noid, ynot, sean lett, etc.) on the new album. not trying to hold com back, but i don't see the need to completely change his collaborators. i hope he still keeps chi in his subject matter though. i wonder if the shift away from working w/ other chi artists was a result of his move to BK, or the other way around.<P>3- without doubt, i believe the new album will be uncontrollably dope, and i know the Roots and Jay Dee will hook up some lovely beats, but i still stick by point #2.<P>"everybody and their momma knows that you came quick, quicker than a pizza, from Domino's" - Common Sense

** Sign up for the LA okayplayer mailing list, click and subscribe **

I live and die for a just cause, not just 'cause - J-Live

>none of common's albums hold classic <BR>>status to me. (although ressurection had <BR>>stellar moments).<P>Well, that's your opinion. Why you gotta downplay someone else's production to make your shit look good ("he didn't have any classic albums till I came along")? Man, stop playing. "Resurrection" is generally considered a classic. I almost busted this kid's head in who said the beats on "resurrection" weren't that good, now here you go saying you fast forward through the joint...<P>For real, I like No I.D.'s production. I thought Com's stage show was better when it was just Com and Sinista (sp?) rather than Com and the band. But I guess everybody has to go through those changes (Hendrix reference, every post needs one). <P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

To me no i.d. eff'd up messin with the syndicate.They changed their whole style to the toodamnfast4metodigest type shit.Now his local stuff dont sound like quality material. Despite what ?uest said about Com's first 3 joints, resurrection is a classic to me cuz everything common talked about is shit I also used to do:example:"troop down to jew town,talk a cat down on some gear, have enough left for a polish and carfare."Honestly, the first 3 joints I feel are for Chicagoans only. He makes too many references to things that are native to chicago. another example:"Whitney Young and Kenwood was said to have the best chicks but mostly Hyde Park and V hoes who I messed wit"These are chi high schools, I went to what he referred to as the "V"(C.V.S). And the sentiments he made are all too true. Now how in the world would anyone from outside my fare cityunderstand that!!!!!!!

sorry but as executive producer i felt along with com and derrick (manager) that NO ID just didn't copme with it. trust me. we worked on this shit for a year. you will not be dissapointed.<P><P><P><P><P>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

check the resume

organix-93
(from the ground up)-94
do you want more?!!???!-95
illadelph halflife-96
things fall apart-99
(the legendary)-99
the roots come alive-99
phrenology-2002
the tipping point-2004
(the roots present...) 2004
homegrown: the beginne

No doubt with yall behind Com this shit is bound to be tight . I'm just sayin, the first three apparently put you all on to Rasheed but no.i.d taking that george benson guitar loop was effin ingenious, the way he even put I used to love her together. But he dont do that shit no more, he fell the fuck off.not to mention twilite tone dungeon room ,commercial remix but really aint remixed ass.Yall need to let me hook some tracks<BR>Ill have that shit bangin.<P><P><BR>"Rappers,get on the mic talkin bout cars and clothes, soundin like hoes...where I'm from we got moes and disciples, I'm from a state that is Ill." ~Common-UNIverse at war~ <P>pro`found' ,adj.~ 2.Intellectually deep;thorough.<P>lyr'ic ,adj~ 1.composition in stanzas,and expressive of the poet's feeling rather than outward events and may take special form,as ode, sonnet, hymn, or any number of verse schemes

Curiosity...I'm from the Chi but I ain't there no more...I'm always on the look...<P>But back to the issue....I like NO ID...but I didn't like Infamous Syndicate's album despite (which I bought because No ID produced it) No ID's "The Black Album" is in my CD changer as we speak...and I dare any of you to say that the beat for "Prayer for the Sinners" is not insane. I had hoped that No ID would gain the notoriety he deserves...but he may not. Ah well.<P>?uest...it ain't a matter of us doubting your skills...you are proven. But No ID is from the Chi, I wanted to see him shine.<P>And "Resurrection" will always be a classic for Chicago peeps like myself. "AIGHT NOW RONNIEEEEE!"<P>The Infamous DVSJ<P>

*************************
MY VERY OWN HIPPIDY-HOP! I'M GOING TO LOVE YOU AND PLAY WITH YOU FOR EVER AND EVER!!!

Elmyra....the choice of a new generation

a track. we can work out arrangements later. just let me know what flavor you are looking for.Do you have a gifted mouthpiece(lyrics)?<P><P><P><P>"Rappers,get on the mic talkin bout cars and clothes, soundin like hoes...where I'm from we got moes and disciples, I'm from a state that is Ill." ~Common-UNIverse at war~ <P>pro`found' ,adj.~ 2.Intellectually deep;thorough.<P>lyr'ic ,adj~ 1.composition in stanzas,and expressive of the poet's feeling rather than outward events and may take special form,as ode, sonnet, hymn, or any number of verse schemes

ha! he dissed tone! i heard a few of those remixes & was like "why". i heard he wwas supposed to be getting with puffy.<P>didnt no id lose his deal for taking the infamous syndicate $$$ & pocketing it? something about spending half of the money fronted on making the album & keeping the rest.<P>of course this is all rumor. all i know is im sitting in a lil tagged up room in the basement of the double door & some dude is telling me more than i wanted to know about anybody & everybody in the industry.<P>i started calling him "the source" & he didnt didnt understand that the joke was on him.<P>im babbling<BR>"im harder than me tryin to park a dodge" eminem

"Rappers,get on the mic talkin bout cars and clothes, soundin like hoes...ain't been exposed to the foes of most disciples, I'm from a state that is Ill." ~Common-UNIverse at war~ <P>pro`found' ,adj.~ 2.Intellectually deep;thorough.<P>lyr'ic ,adj~ 1.composition in stanzas,and expressive of the poet's feeling rather than outward events and may take special form,as ode, sonnet, hymn, or any number of verse schemes

I am also a huge fan of NO ID. He rarely comes wack and his beats suit Common perfectly. Maybe what questlove is trying to say is that the beats No ID was bringing to the table were just not up to par with the one's Premo, Jaydee and The Roots had to offer. This does not surprise me. For instance, everyone knows Marley Marl was one of the best producers back in the day but honestly when was the last time he made a beat that moved you?<BR>As hard as it might be too imagine, maybe NO ID just isn't coming with it. As for my feelings on the album, just check my signature.<BR>ONE LOVE<BR>-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-<BR>March 28th seems such a long wait.<BR>You know how albums get pushed back? Can they also be pushed "forward"?<BR>-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_<BR>

RIP JDILLA
THE ILLEST THAT EVER DID IT

I wasn't questioning or knocking your ability to produce an excellent album. The work that you a Jay Dee did on Voodoo helped create what I consider to be one of the best albums that has ever blessed my ears. And the two songs that you've done with Com (three including the remix of Reminding Me) have been amazing. "Act Too" is one of the best songs I've heard in the last few years. However, I feel that No I.D.'s production on Com's previous LPs fit the lyrics perfectly and the age old saying "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it" applies to this situation in my opinion. When I said that all of Com's albums were classics, I was exagerating a bit. But, I do feel that Resurrection is an undeniable hip hop classic. In my opinion not only is a classic an album that doesn't need a fast forward button but also one can be listened to repeatedly without ever becoming "boring" to the listener, and for me Resurrection is that. Just curious but what tracks do you fast forward through on Resurrection? Sorry if you thought I was attacking your ability, but I was just curious as to what the deal was with the new LP and No I.D.

Collect all 9 at www.djlowkey.com->

MIA #1 w/Median
MIA #2 w/Tanya Morgan
The Fixtape w/Che Grand
Relief In The Making w/Median & 9th Wonder
Beat Thieves 2 w/Ilwil
Ketchup w/TiRon
Die Jerm Die w/Jermiside
De La Extras #2
The Solution Tape #1 w/U-N-I & Ro

You gotta remember that Ahmir is a musician and is talking in terms of production. Just cause you got caught up Common's words and vibes on those albums dont mean they are "Perfect Albums", great hiphop, not perfect (maybe Classic to you as a listener). I love his last two albums, but i know that Common is a great "artist" of a caliber that he would be able to come off on any production and still make that shit grow on his followers. You may feel that No ID's beats accented Commons words perfectly cause you got that whole shit memmorized, just think! Look at "Love Of My Life" thats common on some higher caliber production.<P>He's a great MC, wack production wouldnt stop Common at this point in his carrer, he's versatile and has built a great following. My point is, isolate Common from the Beats on these too albums and listen, then maybe you can see the production standpoint Ahmir is addressing.<P>I personally, cant wait to hear some more great minds work on Common's Music to see what they bring out of the man's music.<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<BR>

oh well

Yo, for real I have come to expect the combination of common and NO ID on a common album, but I think that common has made so many new friends over the years and that his views are similar to those of the roots and jay dee that he wants to include them and see what kind of creations the vibes between others would produce compared to that of No ID or Doug Infinite. Now don't get me wrong I would really be disappointed if they didn't do at least three four songs on the album, but I think common wanted to grow into his new family a bit and try to have a more diverse lp this time around and that he felt that this would just be another evolution in his music career and to also give his core a new sound and also bring in new people by assoication of the new callobations. But then again this is just what I think is common's intentions from what I seen from 93 to two double zero plus one more O. One. Daddy Warbuckz<P><BR>I'm out with my crew ain't nothing to do/ niggas be rolling/ain't no where to go so I hooked up with a ho/ (you know my) niggas be rolling........Common Sense

each one, teach one and lets get our black families to be family again. one

<BR>>but I think common wanted to <BR>>grow into his new family a <BR>>bit and try to have a <BR>>more diverse lp this time around <BR>>and that he felt that this <BR>>would just be another evolution in <BR>>his music career <P>yeah, change is good and evolution is also, but you don't completely diss the people who helped make you what you are today. If it werent' for NoI.D., Dug Inf, and Ynot, Com would be known as "that cat from Chicago with the lyrics but wack ass beats" <P>"I'm coming after U, like the letter V"---Lo of Binary Star<P>"I'm deadlier than having cyanide in your pores"---Juice<P>"Put 'em on the glass, girl!!!"---Sir Mix A Lot <BR>

i'm back...?

You said it perfectly. And now that Common has the national spotlite more than ever before in his career he should use that to help is brothers shine too. I understand that as an artist/lyricist you want to have the best possible production under your words, but you can't tell me No ID or Doug Inf didn't have some tight shit he could have used. This kinda goes back to him moving to NY, I kinda feel like he abandoned us here in the Chi and now that he's at the top of the game, where we always hoped he'd be, he's not supporting the people that put him there.<P>There are millions of stars, but there's only one Sun.<P>J-Sun - Professional Weed Smoker<BR>T.O.P.A. Chief Kneecap Shatterer<P>"Still pull the hoes most likely to succeed. Where that ni&&a J-(Sun)? Most likely smokin weed" - Tash<P>"Individuals who are never satisfied with the static standards set by the masses. The masses have always been lethargic. They have always opposed greatness for it is beyond them to even comprehend greatness" - 3rd Bass

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sometimes I contemplate moving to a warmer place, then the lake and skyline give me a warm embrace" © Common

If you read in a couple of past articles, Common stayed waiting on No I.D. who would show up at least six hours late to a recording session, and being one of those short fused artist I can see the frustration. Also I think of Tha Chi as a second home for me, cause D.C. got some kinda soulful link with ya'll, we talk the same and sometimes carry shit the same. When I was there and asking niggaz about Common, they was supporting the Brat MORE than they were SUPPORTING Com Sense. Dare I say it, they even was supporting CRUCIAL CONFLICT more than Rashid. So why should a brother stay around that bullshit when HIS hometown aint even on him like that? Did you get a peep at Rap City's profile on Chicago, NOBODY said a damn thing about Common, and one of them even went as far as to say he sound like them NEW YORK niggaz. Check ya archives.

shutUP...<P>man, yes, there is a particular side of town (westside) that supports muhfuckas like Crucial Conflict, Do Or Die and Twista more, but we already knew that. And if bootleg ass Rap City didn't talk about Com on their Chi show, that's their OWN PERSONAL lack of intellegence in covering my city.<P>"I'm coming after U, like the letter V"---Lo of Binary Star<P>"I'm deadlier than having cyanide in your pores"---Juice<P>"Put 'em on the glass, girl!!!"---Sir Mix A Lot <BR>

i'm back...?

I do what I do. My knowledge of shit is that hometown warriors are often rejected by hometown support. I didn't disrespect anybody, I just made a point. WILL!

Having read a number of the responses in this thread, most of which seem to be from Chicago heads, let me ask this question: Is it possible that we (Com's fans/listenters) really want him to recreate a classic Chicago hip-hop album and moment--full of Chicago references that most east-coast fans would totally miss-- that he feels, by definition, would be too limiting at this stage of his career? In other words, we get a warm feeling listening to Resurrection. But maybe ?uest's take on the album is more representative of other fans from outside of the midwest (i.e. that Resurrection was a good album but not a classic). Does Com possibly feel that he HAS to get with his east coast brethren to create an album with a more "universal" appeal? Not saying I agree, just posing a question. Selfishly, I hope "Like Water..." has references to Stony Island and Hyde Park (sh*t, even Moo and Oink!)-- like he said, "this is me". But maybe Com feels he's past that. I guess we'll wait to see whether this change is one we'll enjoy better than the old days, but I wish he hadn't "abandoned" his artistic ties to the Chi.

You cats are using words like "dissed" and "abandoned" in reference to Common and his old production team. You cats need to stop cause with out inside info to back up statements like that, you shouldnt be speakin with such strong words. All we know is that Common has choosen a new team for his 4th album. I highly doubt Com has cut any of his own fam off or anything of that sort, lets be realistic. This industry is one of Art and of Entertainment, i doubt the move to Ahmir is anything personal. You may not like it but Cash DOES Rule Everything Around.... let them do their thing, i'm sure he has made the right decisions, and i'm SURE he will still represent Chicago to the fullest, aint it obvious?<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<BR>

oh well

I put the word "abandoned" in quotes, my intention being for readers not to take it literally. Merely referring to Com's leaving the city and changing production/guest mcs, etc.<P>Don't get me wrong. Com's music was not ALL about upping Chi, although many liked him for doing so. Additionally, he still mentions his city in almost every single he's dropped or guested on, so those elements probably will exist on "Like Water...". But when an artist is so identifiable with a city and jets, some fans will be like "wtf?". Kind of like if Outkast relocated to L.A.

>But when an <BR>>artist is so identifiable with a <BR>>city and jets, some fans will <BR>>be like "wtf?". Kind of <BR>>like if Outkast relocated to L.A. <BR>Ice Cube was 100% West Coast and working with the best West Coast producer ever when he left to go to New York and work the ultimate NYC producers of the time (Bomb Squad) and the result was AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. Does anyone feel better with that in mind?

May "Like Water..." be similarly blessed with a five-mic rating.

But fuck east coast fans if they don't wanna hear Chicago refrences. I'm not saying Common is going to do that, but if his is disregarding Chicago to become more universal, that's wrong. How many time have you heard NY (or Philly for that matter)refrences by rappers on records. It don't bother me none, and I don't think it should bother any real hip hop heads anywhere if Common mentions "Harold's" or "Jew Town" or any thing like that. I'm not saying Common is dissing Chicago now, we'll have to wait til we hear the record. Personally I don't think he will disregard his hometown. I just feel he's not showing love like he used to (i.e. not using No ID or MOVING).<P>There are millions of stars, but there's only one Sun.<P>J-Sun - Professional Weed Smoker<BR>T.O.P.A. Chief Kneecap Shatterer<P>"Still pull the hoes most likely to succeed. Where that ni&&a J-(Sun)? Most likely smokin weed" - Tash<P>"Individuals who are never satisfied with the static standards set by the masses. The masses have always been lethargic. They have always opposed greatness for it is beyond them to even comprehend greatness" - 3rd Bass

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sometimes I contemplate moving to a warmer place, then the lake and skyline give me a warm embrace" © Common

>Personally <BR>>I don't think he will disregard <BR>>his hometown. I just feel he's <BR>>not showing love like he used <BR>>to (i.e. not using No ID <BR>>or MOVING). <P>But i think you're actin like a kid, are you a pre-teen? Common is a man and an artist, whether or not he decides to throw in hometown referrences is all up to him and his music. Us "listeners" (his audience) should respect his decision to take his music where he wants it as long as he keeps the integrity we love him for. I think his music is as "real" as it allways was so fuck what you think (and what you heard).<P>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<BR>

oh well

>But i think you're actin like a <BR>>kid, are you a pre-teen? <P>I ain't no kid I'm a grown ass man of 26 years.<BR> <BR>>Common is a man and an <BR>>artist, whether or not he decides <BR>>to throw in hometown referrences is <BR>>all up to him and his <BR>>music. Us "listeners" (his audience) <BR>>should respect his decision to take <BR>>his music where he wants it <BR>>as long as he keeps the <BR>>integrity we love him for. <P>See, you not being from Chicago, I would not expect you to understand. See Common is our hometown hero, we feel proud when we see him succed. And when he makes refrences to "The Taste" and shit like that, that people outside of Chicago would not get, it's kinda like an inside joke only you and your friends share. We feel a kinship with him because he's done some of the same things we have ("go to Great America/ me and my lady rocked the same outfit") been to the same places we have. We have more in common with him than we do with other rapppers from different places. Would I still like Common as a rapper if he came from somewhere else? Yeah. Would I like him as much? Probably, but it wouldn't be the same.<BR> <BR>>I think his music is as <BR>>"real" as it allways was so <BR>>fuck what you think (and what <BR>>you heard). <P>No one is quetioning the "reality" of his music. And what I think is what I think and if Common decided to stop talking about his hometown in his music (agian I did say I really don't think he would) then yes it might take a little bit away from me as a listener. Once agian, you're not from Chicago, so I wouldn't expect you to understand.<P>There are millions of stars, but there's only one Sun.<P>J-Sun - Professional Weed Smoker<BR>T.O.P.A. Chief Kneecap Shatterer<P>"Still pull the hoes most likely to succeed. Where that ni&&a J-(Sun)? Most likely smokin weed" - Tash<P>"Individuals who are never satisfied with the static standards set by the masses. The masses have always been lethargic. They have always opposed greatness for it is beyond them to even comprehend greatness" - 3rd Bass

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"Sometimes I contemplate moving to a warmer place, then the lake and skyline give me a warm embrace" © Common

but I feel you, j_sun. It's like the man represents your city, and it's dope to listen to rhymes about your city...I'd be pissed too for a minute if that changed. <BR>--res-one--><BR>LPP for life (light pockets posse)<BR>peace, okayplayers...<P><BR>"I'm on my own dick, like sleepin on my stomach"- AG<P>knowledge, wisdom, and understanding: with these three elements of life, we must build a better world, teach the young and old, use natural resources to uplift the people, not to make individuals rich, but to put the Human mind back on the right path and get rid of sick racist mentalities.- Afrika Baambaataa<P><BR><a href="http://www.mumia.org" target="_blank">http://www.mumia.org<;/a><BR><a href="http://www.thehungersite.com" target="_blank">http://www.thehungersite.com<;/a>

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...when it comes to production, or even the artists themselves. It's like the scene here is composed of mad talent that does not get heard or respected in other parts of the world. there are many different reasons for this... (lack of organization/dedication on the artists end, lack of top quality recording studios-I can think of only two, and R. Kelly has one of them on lock until 2010- the club scene here is huff as hell, and let's not talk about radio airplay, please. College Radio can do only so much. Chicago is my city and I love it since I was born here 24 years ago, but we have a long way to go to get the respect of other places. I think that Common just did what he felt would lace his product the best way...personally, No I.D. was dope and all, but I kinda like the way Common's path is going now...<P>All personal opinions should be mailed to<BR> rainasays@ireallydontgiveadamn.com<P>one<P>"Rap is outta control...." -EPMD circa 1992<P>"Uphold your Righteous Name<BR>Skip the fame and f*ck the games<BR>Develop and maintain a sense of awareness without being careless...<BR>A nappy-head warrior such as myself is fearless and ready to expose those<BR>who walk around with their spiritual sides all closed..." -me circa 1995

damn. No NO.I.D. While I am looking forward to hearing comm with the roots, primo, & the others I think NO.I.D. should do some of it. He is one of the nicest & I would love to work with him one day as well as dug inf & Y-not.<P>But the Album’s still gon to be bangin!! Do ya thing Com!<P>-incog

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Oh yeah, I forgot. I got mad love for quest but personally I never feel the urge to Fast froward thru Resurrection or One Day.<P>-incog<P>

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That album changed my life. No doubt.<P>As an MC, I realized that I could just be as wity as I could...to be myself...and just come off so uniquely.<P>He was pushing the envelope with that record in a time of ONYX and Gangsta Bitch's...it was a Jazz/Hip-Hop Blend at its finest.<P>Also, he pioneered the 'Slightly off rhythm delivery that's still his trademark today. Now everybody's doing that shit. (Lauryn Hill latched onto that delivery style on "The Score" album.)<P>He broke alot of rules with that record...and it is indeed a classic hip-hop album.<P>AND I'm from Miami. So there.<P>Common is the man. <P>tonedeff<BR>www.tonedeff.com<BR>support innovative music

I thought that he <BR>>should have stuck with No I.D., <BR>>Doug Infinite and Y-Not, instead of <BR>>going with Jay Dee, Primo and <BR>>the Roots. <P>At this point in my career and life, I wanted to try new things. since I became aware of the Roots, JayDee, D'Angelo, Premier, and James Poyser, I've been wanting to work with them. <P>I felt that we were just on the same wavelength with the same destination. It's not like I won't ever work with NO ID again, but damn, I gotta do the same thing every album? The shit get boring if you can predict everything I'm going to do and you could expect to hear a certain sound. It's time for some new soul music and in come the Soulquarians. <P>What ?uestlove was talking about the classic...that's his opinion.<P>And <BR>>no disrespect to Primo (my all <BR>>time favorite prodcucer), The Roots, and <BR>>Jay Dee, I think that if <BR>>it isn't broke then don't fix <BR>>it. <P>But, damn, a nigga can't do something new? Try something new. I love music and I love the musicians I work with.<P>Wait till you hear the album.<P>March 28th.<P>Also is <BR>>Mista Sinista still gonna be Com's <BR>>DJ? <P>Sinista cut on the album. NO ID is working on production for other artists. NO ID and I worked on a song for this album, but we knew if it wasn't top of the line, we couldn't release it.<P>We got some non-believers out there!!!<P>Dot Com<P>

I don't think so. Everyone replying to this thread will be in line the day the album drops. If "Sixth Sense" is representative, we'll all be happy. Some of us (at least I) just hold "Resurrection" in such high regard, it's hard to think of another creative team helping you create a greater work, rightly or wrongly. Then again, that's the artist's call-we damn sure weren't clammoring for No ID and Y-Not in 1993 before we heard the CLASSIC.

a lot of people are afraid of change? people don't like to see or hear new things. and it's kinda sad when people pre-judge new music because they wanna hear what they are used to. a perfect example is qtip's album, everyone wanted to hear another tribe album. so when they heard "amplified" they automatically said to themselves this doesn't sound like tribe...i don't like it. change isn't always bad....give it a chance.<P><P>"fuck this rap shit I listen to classical"---Baatin of Slum Village<P>"cause who i'm talking bout y'all is HIP-HOP"---Common Sense<P>"i'm morpheus in this hip hop matrix, exposing fake shit"---Common Sense

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You are a native son of chicago brother.I have all of the love in the world for you as an artist whom I've never personally met. I feel much of what you say because of the fact that we grew up the same way, doin shit native to chi(i.e. drinking in the parking lot behind C.V.S, no doubt you used to bullshit at the plaza too, chillin at funtown/now a jewels n' shit...). On that note, how are you going to make references about our city being in NY. Yeah its the spot for hiphop but wheres the love?Hell yeah I love the Roots,Primo and whoever else, but all them niggaz hollerin "BROOKLYN", "ILLA5th/ILLADELPH".... Who's gonna represent the true heads here? Not the BRAT(nigga please),Crucial Conflict,Do or Die,Twista? We got mad undaground crews who cant for some reason blow up, you have surpassed that berrier, so now you jet to NY? Dont get me wrong, Business is Business, I understand but realize the niggaz that felt you the most are now the ones feeling left in the cold. I understand about NO I.D, and fuck Y-Not's WGCI wack rhymes over Destiny's child music havin ass.Do what you do best but show a little more love to home!!!<P> ...ONE....<BR> <BR>"Rappers,get on the mic talkin bout cars and clothes, soundin like hoes...ain't been exposed to the foes of most disciples, I'm from a state that is Ill." ~Common-UNIverse at war~ <P>pro`found' ,adj.~ 2.Intellectually deep;thorough.<P>lyr'ic ,adj~ 1.composition in stanzas,and expressive of the poet's feeling rather than outward events and may take special form,as ode, sonnet, hymn, or any number of verse schemes<BR>

I love the fact that Common loves his home city - that is one the great things about him. He holds it down for Chicago ('comin from Chica - but yo, I gotta go go'). I love hearing all the references to Jew City and 'V hoes' etc. and I am from Coventry, England (UK)!! <P>I think Com will continue to hold the name down because he is all about Chicago. And as for the Chi-town underground! Shit! They are the shit! I ain't talkin bout Crucial Conflict or them playas, I mean crews like All Natural (Capital D is THE shit!) and the Writer's Block (now Family Tree). <P>Chicago will always represent for great hip hop regardless of where Common lives. He will always shout out his home, cuz he ain't a bitch. Just because the man wants to grow musically, and albeit without No ID, the so be it. If we hadn't let D'Angelo grow, we never would have waited 5 yrs for his new album, and we never would have appreciated it. D went in a new direction and found perfection. Let Com do the same too!<P>Peace<P>Nij

... mufuggaz like the REC CENTER (which ya gonna be able to hear on okayplayer radio soon), TSP, ang 13, 7seven, rubber room, underground illuminationz, and mah homie Profound (due out with a single off LOUD records soon), chi ill finna blow up on the real. chicago is the next fronteer in hip hop cuz there is so much talent here and it'z basically untouched. mufuggaz from out of town been bitin out shyt. Bone Thugs N Harmony bit our shyt cuz back in 92 a cat named Tung Twista came out but peeps wasn't feelin himcuz he was ahead of his time. 2 years later some catz (bone) came out and blew that style up. point is chicago style was bit off of. it time for a change in all dat N these people i mentioned are gonna change all dat. Chicago gonna be representin right along with COM is the industry. peace yall<P>Da5th "i wasn't hea" Realm<P>where eva ya are baby paw/ realize that ya essence is devine son/ and let it shine son/ as we refine son/ ayo dis shyt'll blow ya mind son/ we royaly... Guru From Gangstarr, Moment of Truth<P>i'm ghost yall<BR>peace

<BR>>Dont get me wrong, Business is <BR>>Business<P><BR>. I understand about <BR>>NO I.D, and fuck Y-Not's WGCI <BR>>wack rhymes over Destiny's child music <BR>>havin ass.<P>You niggaz just don't understand.<P>Oh, y'all love it when the artists respond to your posts or maybe you've even talked to them personally so you think you know 'em.<P>How the fuck can you say 'business is business' and then dis twilight Tone for rappin' on the radio. Now you can say, 'I know what's wack and that shits WACK to me'. But you don't know a muhfuckaz MOTIVATION for doin' that shit. Muhfuckas like Common and Twilight Tone see the BIGGER PICTURE than their fans. And it's about expanding your fan base, period.<P><P>-<BR>'Don't worry 'bout what the fuck I be doin'- Smokey<BR>

... by my statement business is business,I meant that Common changed labels. Mabye there was a clause or something requiring him to move.Ok then, business is business. Most artist in the spot light need to be at the heart of the scene, which happens to be N.Y. As far as the album is concerned, yes he had to grow as an artist. I personally feel the new joint will be on point. Your statement about Twilite Tone, come on now!!!! Are you from Chicago? That shit was the worst. I know niggaz gotta eat, but what does that say about a persons character when he totally sacrifices quality and artistic values for some chump change! WGCI sells and promotes Booloo Master before TT(slap in the face if you ask me).Next, the songs are passed off as remixes. THEY ARE NOT REMIXES!!! He simply looped the break kicked the wackest of rhymes(made puffy look like the old Rakim)and continued the song with his voice in the background.This is wrong,dead wrong. So I'ma leave it there cuz that shit is upsetting me, cuz I can do that shit in my bedroom.<BR> <BR>ONE...........<P><P>"Rappers,get on the mic talkin bout cars and clothes, soundin like hoes...ain't been exposed to the foes of most disciples, I'm from a state that is Ill." ~Common-UNIverse at war~ <P>pro`found' ,adj.~ 2.Intellectually deep;thorough.<P>lyr'ic ,adj~ 1.composition in stanzas,and expressive of the poet's feeling rather than outward events and may take special form,as ode, sonnet, hymn, or any number of verse schemes

Your <BR>>statement about Twilite Tone, come on <BR>>now!!!! Are you from Chicago? <P>maybe you haven't been paying attention, but okayplayer Mike is better known as Mike Love of WGCI's Bad Boyz.<P>"I'm coming after U, like the letter V"---Lo of Binary Star<P>"I'm deadlier than having cyanide in your pores"---Juice<P>"Put 'em on the glass, girl!!!"---Sir Mix A Lot <BR>

i'm back...?

>At this point in my career and <BR>>life, I wanted to try new <BR>>things. since I became aware of <BR>>the Roots, JayDee, D'Angelo, Premier, and <BR>>James Poyser, I've been wanting to <BR>>work with them. <BR>>I felt that we were just on <BR>>the same wavelength with the same <BR>>destination. It's not like I won't <BR>>ever work with NO ID again, <BR>>but damn, I gotta do the <BR>>same thing every album? The shit <BR>>get boring if you can predict <BR>>everything I'm going to do and <BR>>you could expect to hear a <BR>>certain sound. <P>Like I've been telling Ahmir, we all have complete confidence in you and everybody you worked with, that you're going to bring a dope ass album and that the production will be top notch. Change can be a wonderful thing, there's nothing wrong with you trying different things. It's just that your core audience (the cats who remember your young ass in the Soul By The Pound video, riding in that jeep with your voice squeeking and saying shit about the Chi), we are used to hearing you and Dion make dope shit. I personally love Ressurection, and One Day and Can I Borrow A Dollar? is a dope album too, hell I even like Dion's album (the beats were sick). So being that we're so used to this tandem and we actually LOVE this tandem, we're obviously upset that he's not on ANY part of the album. All I know is that as long as you drop the dopest album that you possibly can, then I'll be more than satisfied though as will all the people who are slightly in doubt. Your Chicago peoples still love your shit. We may have been a little perturbed that you moved to NY, but for the most part we understood that for your own musical growth, it was the best move. This is like that, we're perturbed that Dion won't be on the album, however as long as your shit is on point, then we will be happy and continue to support.<P>>Sinista cut on the album. <P>no doubt, that's definitely good to hear.<P>>We got some non-believers out there!!! <BR>>Dot Com <P>not really non-believers, moreso cats who just want your best shit to come out of this album, or else the shit talkers are gonna come out of nowhere with "I knew that nigga shoulda stayed with NoI.D." But like I said before, as long as you drop another dope ass album and keep growing as an artist, then that will not even be an issue.<P>"I'm coming after U, like the letter V"---Lo of Binary Star<P>"I'm deadlier than having cyanide in your pores"---Juice<P>"Put 'em on the glass, girl!!!"---Sir Mix A Lot <BR>

i'm back...?

this whole notion of Comm not reppin Chi-town is absurd! i cannot imagine an artist be so emphatically open and direct about their hometown as Comm. you know how some cats you learn later on about where they're from?...well can you imagine some blind listener possibly not knowing where Comm is from and finding out 2 or 3 years later?? impossible right? what does that tell you? i mean this cat has been paying his homage to his home from day one. you couldn't hear a line without some windy city reference or connotation. just because he moved to brooklyn ya'll are gonna try to say he sold or that he isn't hometown love no more? that is wack ass greedy bullish. saying Comm is not Chicago is like saying MOs or Biggie isn't Brooklyn, it doesn't matter where they are on the map, everybody knows...fuck that everybody FEELS the love that these cats have for their hometowns. and just because he isn't going to be spittin shouts to local highschools and what not does not mean that he has no love anyomore or that he is not repping. what you want him to do, verbalize the same shit forever...like he said he is expanding. no matter what Comm does or what he says or doesn't say, you will ALWAYS feel that chicago flavor from him cause that shit is IN him, cmon yall should feel this shit. you Chi-towners shouldn't take him for granted that he's ALWAYS gonna verbalize shot outs to the local landscape...like i said you should feel that shit in him instead of having to hear him say it. yall dont' hear me (pun intended). i guess its like if you do something for somebody, pretty soon they will take it for granted and expect it from you. caus i'm sayin for real yall better realize and appreciate the blessing of having someone like Comm representing your city because its sad the kind of treatment that yall are giving...but it probably doesn't even matter cause my man probably doesn't give a 2 cents fu@#k!! thats why i love him.<P>p.E.a.C.E,<BR>krisAnu<P>"i drop heavy in spots you scared to put your weight on, theres only so much ice you can skate on." -Common Sense<P>"aint nuthin worse than a wack emcee, unfortunately, thats all that surrounds me." <BR>-Jeru<P>"fuck thought, it leads to naught, simply stated it leads to you tryin' to figure me out." -Saul Williams<P>"speech is my hammer, bang the world into place, now let it fall." - MoSdEf

i feel you about doing new things comm. you know i’m going to get the c.d. the sec it drops. i always dig yo shit & it inspires me to do my thing and always push for that next lev like you.<P>do your thing cuz.<P>PeaCe<BR>incog poetic<P>“2 sides to every coin so i’m flipping loose change tryin’ to change the direction of your deception”<BR>-incog

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I love the tracks ive heard. Ill be first in line to cop this.<P>"Revolutions like pussy Im tryin to stay all up in it."- Common<P>"You couldnt catch me in the street without a ton of reefer/ thats like Malcolm X catchin a jungle feever"- (Nasty) Nas<P>RIP Alex Walsh 1981-2000<BR>

I just wanted to say that what I entered in on this discussion was backed by common's response that he wanted to try something different, so for all those who said "fuck that" and " (I) second that" read and understand that nobody is the same person they were five, three, or one year ago, people change and you can't expect the same thing from a man cause we are forever growing up and changing our views. If you are the same person you were X amount of years ago, then you need to grow the fuck up. One.

each one, teach one and lets get our black families to be family again. one

lets hear the album before we make judgements.........that can be dangerous, some of yall are goin into this album with clouded ideas, based strictly on heresy, more importantly we havent even heard the album yet!!!!!<P>all thing aside...are yall really that fuckin crazy/stupid to think that the Soulquarians and Com wont be the illest shit in a long time in hip-hop, or any other genre of american music...........come on now! shoot....<P><BR>One Love<BR>RamXL<BR>(b-boy advocate)<P>"Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature: external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy -- by one, or more, or all these -- and be free." Swami Vivekanada<P><BR>"I, personally, believe in an art as it exists in the context of the phrase "thou art God". In this phrase, art is the word that connects the individual (thou) to their higher self (God) or to that which is universal. Using such a standard, most emcees might become embarrassed."<P>Saul Williams<P><P><P><P>

"shit, been the same since '86 and kane"

I'm sure the bottom line is No ID or not you'll buy his shit. <P>jihad<BR>out<P>"Now if you got the fort / and you think you can hold it down /<BR> Then you can spark a movement / of the Cross / in your hometown /<BR> And when your finished with this tape and the music /<BR> If the Cross ain't done yet, then neither is the Movement! / /"<P>We allow the devil to influence our actions but.....<BR>"The devil will laugh while you get your butt whoped" My Mamma<P><a href="http://www.crossmovement.com" target="_blank">http://www.crossmovement.com<;/a><P>sn: JohnPhlow AOL & AIM

I cant believe you cats wanna sit here and throw darts at Com about whether he is still Chicago, what will be contained in his rhymes, or who should be on his album. Who the fuck are you? no really, who in the fuck are you?<P>Hiphop is and always has been about expression, and an artist's message always changes with growth, experience, travels, and time. When Com did rhymes full of Chicago references all over the place, that was obviously what was on his mind. That was his boat of thought, what he was feeling. And while all you nostalgia heads want more of that, and are stuck to some kind of "Common" formula, you have to realise you are dealing with a "mind" here. I think this man is a little bit more complex than feeling he has to comform to the past. Sorry to use a wack Nas quote but you can tell from "One Day..." that Com is into "Big Thangs" now. He aint thinkin that way, and I personally think tracks full of Chicago jargon would be limiting on a track where the man could be breaking down the physics of life.<P>And as far as No I.D. or not, does it really matter? What are you a child? Let Com do "his" music. If we think its wack, then point fingers and say "so and so" this and that.... until you hear what the man comes with, Stop stressin him...<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<BR>

oh well

good lookin Quez. i couldn't feel you more...this was the first reasonable post i've finally seen on this discussion!<P>p.E.a.C.E,<BR>krisAnu<P>"i drop heavy in spots you scared to put your weight on, theres only so much ice you can skate on." -Common Sense<P>"aint nuthin worse than a wack emcee, unfortunately, thats all that surrounds me." <BR>-Jeru<P>"fuck thought, it leads to naught, simply stated it leads to you tryin' to figure me out." -Saul Williams<P>"speech is my hammer, bang the world into place, now let it fall." - MoSdEf

i don't think it's a question of anyone's talent. it's actually very simple. common had 3 albums that were dope lyric and production wise (and yes, Ressurection is a classic album). if the production on the albums was whack then it wouldn't be a question as to why he's working with other producers. but being that the production was tight, i can understand why one would question his decision to work with another producer. no one is questioning the talent of his new production team. yeah, yeah, we all know that ?, jay-dee and d are tight but that's irrelevant. he was dope with no i.d and there isn't a doubt in my mind that he will be just as amazing with this other direction. i'm sure that if tariq suddenly decided to form another band or to completely abandon the band format and work with a producer instead. headz would be asking why he left the band or why he would want to work exclusively with timberland when he had a great thing going with the Roots (musicians). i think it's a very good question. i'm sure people are still going to buy the album because the producers are very reputable producers and Common is still one of the top five illest mc's in everyones opinion.<BR>peace,<BR>spacecowgirl

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don't forsake you, you are what you own. when you love you, you'll never be alone

be aware of strangers. many of us have entertained angels unaware

But I have to chime in anyway, cuz I FEEL this shit deeply.<P>My heart goes out to all you Windy City heads that mourn the lack of respect for your city. As a D.C. hip-hop artist, your pain is mine. We have the illest groups on the planet. Check the March issue of the Source for D.C.'s own Rhyme Deferred theatrical collective. But since our radio, retail, and general industry respect level is so miniscule, you can easily write that statement off as hyperbolic bullshit, or simple hometown chest-thumping... cuz y'all simply don't know. But in my heart, I'd put Opus Akoben, Plexus, Hue-man Prophets, Khemystery, Poemcees, In Shallah and Infinite Loop up against any hip-hop act on the planet.<P>My point being is that some of these D.C. cats are contemplating moving elsewhere or have actually gotten up and done it. We're all soldiering along bravely but some of us are weary of putting out records, doing mad shows, battling, trying to get press, and still not getting the legitimacy. None of them have blown up to the point of shining for their city the way Com has, but if any of them finally blew up by leaving D.C., I'd be a little bit sad. But then I'd have to shake myself loose of regionalism and selfishness and rejoice for their fortune.<P>I was born and raised here, and as much as I love my D.C. hip-hop peers, I know that they can't carry the whole Nation's Cap on their backs. They have to be able to grow as artists. Even if they didn't pepper their rhymes with U-Street, South East, and go-go references, they'd be representing D.C. simply by making the best records they possibly can.<P>This is what Common is doing. He has to grow as an artist or else his spirit will stagnate, he has to spread his wings and nurture the maturation of his music. As long as he's making hot shit, y'all Chi heads should be proud, no matter where he lives or how many times he bigs up the 'Go.<P>Now as for No.I.D.? I feel the disappointment you all have in his absence. And even though he's not my hometown hero, I'll simply miss the fact that he brings hot beat to the table.<P>The bottom line is this: Like Water for Chocolate will be hot as fuck, I have no doubt. And then NoID's absence will have to relegated to an afterthought. Gotta shrug it off and keep it moving, and enjoy what will be a great moment in hip-hop, Com's 4th album.<P>Panthro, Cheetarah, and Tygra - <a href="http://members.tripod.com/~djstylus/images/smellmyfinger.jpg" target="_blank">http://members.tripod.com/~djstylus/images/smellmyfinger.jpg<;/a><P>-djstylus2thabeat<BR><a href="http://www.boondocks.net" target="_blank">http://www.boondocks.net<;/a><P>"So please give me the strength to trample these snakes, Allah. If I scuff my Timb's at least it was a worthy cause." - SubZ, Opus Akoben, "Art of War"

.:|djstylus|:.
www.vibeconductor.com

Man, y'all need to quit trippin'. Just hear the album first. I think Resurrection is the only classic album of Common's (i.e. as Ahmir said, "ones that you don't have to fast forward through." As dope as One Day was, there were parts where things started to blend together and usually when that happens, it's due to production. I'm like Com's gonna be dope regardless of who's producing, but will the song as a whole be dope? Maybe he should've had No I.D. do a couple of tracks, for continuity sake, but really, we should just wait until we hear the album before people start getting all crazy. As far as Com moving to NY, well, I just moved to LA. But you see what my user name is, right? Home is in the heart. Ain't ish changed, just a couple more names. Peace."Feels so good inside myself/Don't wanna move/Feels so good inside myself don't need to move/Soon as I go up/I'm comin' down/And when I'm lost/I know I can't be found." -- Sly Stone, 1971

I'm the one man army Jason/I never been tooken out/I keep Hollywood lookin' out

http://www.twitter.com/JGilFeb4
http://www.iepfilm.com
http://vimeo.com/jasongilmore

Rashid even said so . . .but not because he's wack, because he's evolved. The NEW album sounds so different and is so on some other shit . . .completely NOT like any of the other albums. As long as you have regard for Common as a dope lyricist, I think the rest will come together. It's music y'all damn! Not some formula y'all think he needs to adhere to. Because music evolving requires other sounds you haven't heard before, it may very well have to come from different corners of the world, not necessarily Chicago or any where else. Stop trippin'. Love you Common!<BR>Tiny

You cats stay repeatin shit like you got nigga's posts in a tape deck. Can we be authentic? Can we say "Carbon-Copy"?<P>You Ru-Paul ass cats!<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<BR>

oh well