Common talks about his new album entitled BE. (from http://www.mosdefinitely....;t=000948)

Common calls his new album "a good section for all hip-hop in this new century, time and space." With Kanye West and J Dilla at the controls, we believe him.

Here's a track-by-track preivew, in his own words.
"Smooth": I love the beat and Kanye said I could have it. It's about what people have to do to eat, like in the situations of inner city youth and what we got to do to survive. You know there are different ways to survive, it ain't just selling dope, it's about the hustle of working side jobs and having responsibility and working hard.

"So Cool": I styled it in a different way, like I was styling an old-school hip-hop feel: The beat is very fast, something I'm not used to. I just kinda showed a different style with a feel-good song with an up tempo. I wouldn't say futuristic, but there's a progressive style to it.

"Faith": Kanye produced this song and it's asking, "Where is the faith?" The last verse is really a discussion in what we as men go through, staying faithful to a girl and jobs that we deal with, and society -- keeping faithful to the people you care about most of all.

"Chi-City": It feels like something that was created in '93-'94, but it just sounds a lot better. It's just soulful and I am just really rapping on it, just MCing it.

"Love is": It's about being in love, just talking about how love can be so many things. I discuss loving yourself or loving somebody in a relationship. It really ain't all about relationships. I talk about people. "Funny, we love them more wehn they're relaxed in the grave. I wonder if a thug is raw or is he acting afraid. If everybod loves sun, why do I attract shade?" I just talk about love in different ways.


I am thrilled that he is working w/ J Dilla again. In my opinion, he is THE BEST hip hop producer on earth. I cant wait!

Thanks for the post. Im really looking forward to this. I'm not a big hip-hop fan by any means but Common has got alot more to offer than most. His last 2 albums have been classic. Let's hope the influence of Kanye West isn't on too many tracks.

Yeah. I hope he doesnt rely so heavily on Kanye. I want J Dilla to really come through on this one. J Dilla did alot of work on Like Water For Chocolate. It should be a great album. He has really taken his time on this project. Electric Circus dropped in late 2002.

dreamfactory313 said:

Damn, the time has gone quick. I still play Electric Circus alot & dont tire of it as it still sounds fresh & Im always finding new things within it to grasp a hold of. Thats the sign of a top album .

Yeah, time flies when youre having fun and I had fun woth that album. I think it was very underrated. I think it was definitly hi smost ambitious. I mean, he worked with Prince on that one. He also worked with Erykah Badu, Pharrell, Jill Scott and a whole menagerie of talent.

By the way, u can view the new "Knowing Is Beautiful" public service announcements that feature Common at this address:http://www.kff.org/entpar...m_psas.cfmJust click bunch that says HIV Testing.
[Edited 1/15/05 11:12am]

Yeah I think you're spot on saying that it's underrated but I remember the reviews being universally excellent. Theres no real weak tracks on there for me but it just seemed to go over so many heads. No fluke though surely that Common (& Andre 3000 of course) produced absolute top work after being romantically invlolved with the genius that is E.Badu. Mamas Gun is still my favourite album of the decade - I doubt if it will be touched

Absolutely! And what do Common and Erykah Badu have in common?

Answer J Dilla. J Dilla aka Jay Dee (formerly of Slum Village) wrote and produced much of Mama's Gun.
[Edited 1/15/05 11:21am]

dreamfactory313 said:

Yeah you got it, everything that man touches usually knocks my head off ! D'Angelo especially owes him a huge debt I feel. You got his BBE album 'Welcome 2 Detroit' QUALITY !

funkymf said:

Soon, they will be folks on this thread dissing this masterpiece.

dreamfactory313 said:

I'm really hoping J shines on this one too. I dig most of the stuff he's produced, it's a shame he's not more recognized.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Oh, And I hope him and common are still headed in the same direction as Electric Circus but from interviews I've read with Common it sounds like he wants to drop an album to sustain his street cred.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Cosign. We need more diversity of subject matter and musicality in hip hop these days and Common has the potential to bring it. I hope that he still brings that whole Afro-centrism vibe that weve been feeling on his more recent releases. I have a feeling that he will be using John Legend for a hook or two, perhaps Dwele as well. I guess we will find out soon enough.

dreamfactory313 said:

you mean the Soulquarians(?uesto, James P, Dilla), who were a BIG part of both projects

Scrapluv said:

Of course, but I was speaking of Dilla in particular. I suppose I could have talked about Wajeed and the rest as well, but I was just shouting out Dilla cause he is my favorite.

The first single from BE is called Corners.

damn i can't wait for common to come out with another. I still got "like water for chocolate" in my disc changer in my car, maybe i can replace it with "be"...that is if it adds up, and i got a feeling it will. I don't think it'll be another disaster album like his last one. (at least i hope not)