VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

Here's another track that I discovered using the shuffler.fm app for the iPad.

Of course I gravitated to the track because it's Common: I've always like his flow ... and though I put him in the category of the conscious rapper, I'm not happy about how he sometimes disrespects woman (see "Make Her Say" by Kid Cudi).

Enough of my mini-rant ... As per usual for Common, "Blue Sky" has cool music: laidback and upbeat and you can get your dance on to this one. The hook has a female vocalist and though it's not my fav part of the song, it does add another dimension to the track.

The lyrics have a feel-good, inspirational feeling; the video has an artsy kind of vibe, you know the way that Common flows.

So go ahead hip hoppers and get some of the inspirational artsy ish, it's yours for the takin ... kfox.

VIDEO: Common "Blue Sky"

John Legend & The Roots "Wake Up Everybody"

Some folks will be surprised to know that The Roots will have their second project of the year released in September. It's a collabo w/John Legend. To me, they could have chilled a bit after the recent acclaim for "How I Got Over". I mean, it was just released late last month.

At any rate, the first single from the "Wake Up Everybody" project is out. The title track also features Common and Melanie Fiona. It's a remake of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' classic. I only listened to the new version once and it's just okay. With the star power involved, it should have and could have been better. It just seems to lack as much fire as the original; but then again, maybe it's that Teddy Pendergrass factor.

You listen and let me know what you think hip hoppers. kfox.

From Okayplayer:

"Wake Up Everybody" by John Legend and The Roots featuring Common and Melanie Fiona

I'm actually diggin this studio session for "Hard Times" more than the 'official' first single.

Dillanthology

Wow, the timing of this awesome project ... not so good for me. I just found out about this one ... but, I also can't remember the last time that I bought a cd. Thing is, I was saving up to splurge on the new project from The Roots in June.

To go bring this to my attention now is just wrong. It's wrong because I'm lootless. That's right I bust my ass working five days a week and I still don't have enough disposable cash to buy an $12 cd. Whatever ... and don't judge me.

Dillanthology gives the appearance of something magnanimous. Any why not? We're talking another tribute to J. Dilla. As I see it, the tributes for Dilla will never end. Just like there's a new Madden game annually, why not a Dilla tribute? Btw, Dillanthology is volume 1.

Mucially, Dilla touched a lot of people. This anthology shows some of that. 13 tracks w/some high profile artists like Common and Slum Village. Those are a given, right? Throw in The Pharcyde, The Roots (also a given), A. G. f/Aloe Blacc and several others. Good stuff.

So, hip hoppers, if you're not down w/Dilla, Dillanthology is like 'Dilla 101' ... let's get schooled. kfox.

Rock the Bells 2009 Line-up Announced

The Rock the Bells Festival line-up has been announced. It's a wowser. Now, before you get super duper hyped, please know that not all of the artists will appear at each and every tour stop. Yeah slow ya roll, son ...

But the line-up is bangin. If you even get a third of who's listed, it will be all good.

So here's how it's lookin:
Nas
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
The Roots
Common
Big Boi
KRS-One
House of Pain
Tech N9ne
K'Naan
RZA
Raekwon
Sage Francis
M.O.P.
Slaughterhouse
Eyedea & Abilities
Necro
Slum Village
+ more + surprise performances

Hip hoppers, you need to get your hustle on and start tucking away parts of your unemployment check ... oh, and you should have a 'plan b' too. kfox.

Common's "Universal Mind Control"

I do like Common. I'd say I'm a fan, and I am, but I am not the biggest fan. I know there are some stalwarts out there who can outdo me in the fan category. But I would stand in line in the cold for an hour and wait for a FREE ticket to a show. How's that for a little schutzpah?

But nevermind, we all like good music and that's the point.

I wanted to focus particularly on the music and video for the single "Universal Mind Control" which comes from Common's newly released disk of the same name.

Before I got a chance to listen to the track, it was mentioned that the tune has the vibe of Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock". Now, what you don't know about me is that if I were stranded on an island and could only have one song, "Planet Rock" would be that joint! I only wish I had heard that comment after I'd listened to the song.



I can feel just a twinge of "Planet Rock" in "UMC". But I sort of hear more of Common's "Go". Maybe it's the uptempo pace. But unlike "Go," whose lyrics I did not like, I am feeling "UMC". It also shows some growth in Common as an artist. He could go w/more of the same. But it seems he's building on his career nicely. That seems to be the case for all of the G.O.O.D. Music guys: Kanye and John Legend among them.

So now I need to go and cop the full "UMC" disk. Keep it legal hip hoppers. kfox.

The Message is in the Movies

One of my fav hip hoppers is showing up more and more on the big screen. That would be Common. "Finding Forever" is a pretty good project, but in addition to droppin knowledge, Common is expanding his creative base.

Check out this interview on HipHopDx.com

I like the foray into acting for Common. He does what he does and he does it nicely - at least lyrically. But you know, people have to grow and challenge themselves. And what I really don't want to see is a rapper rappin at 65 years of age; no, they should not be doing that as a way of life, but acting ... yes, that is a respectable thing to be doing at 65,

Do you feel me hip hoppers? kfox

I told you so

A few weeks back, I checked out Common's latest after nabbing it at the local Wal-Mart (so you know what that means ... ).

Anyway, I thought that the disk was strong, but I was crazy feeling "I Want You" - yeeeeaaaah!

So peep this:

Common's "Finding Forever"

I'm a little behind the eight ball on this one. Yeah, it's been on the shelves for nearly two weeks and I am just now getting around to giving it to ya. Don't be mad. And if you couldn't wait for my blessing (or curses), I ain't mad ... shoot, you should have given me a heads up, right ... ?


If you are a Common diehard, you are only reading this to see if I feel the same way that you feel. The good news, is this release came out the box @ #1 on the charts! That's good stuff for an artist who's not as mainstream as say, Kanye West (though this project was produced by West). "Finding Forever" is a nice joint. I don't know that I like it as much as I like "Be", but it's good stuff. The beats are nice; they fit his personality - kinda mellow; something you can chill out with.


And this is mainly a Common project; not like a lot of other artists who have so many guests artists that they get buried in their own projects. No, Common does his thing, but when he enlists assistance, he goes for the jungular - Will.I.Am. and DeAngelo! There's also, Bilal, Lily Allen and of course, Kanye.


The first single "The People" was a good starter to get some attention. Heck, I think he is already on the third single. I believe "The Game" was next followed by "Drivin' Me Wild". But the track that gets me is "Forever Begins" and it is similar to a track on "Be". I have not researched this yet, but the track has what seems to be the Last Poets; the same guys that were on the tracks "It's Your World, Pt." and "The Corner" on "Be". Oh, and then there is "I Want You" - I just like this one because it has a smooth vibe, not mellow because mellow to me means slow and this one is not slow, just smooth.

I could go on ... but you know the deal hip hoppper, pick up the disc and be about it! kfox

The new joint from Common

Okay, so I got the single in the mail from Common. It is called "The People" and it is produced by Kanye West. The full disk is titled "Finding Forever". I think the full release is set for July, but I could be wrong. Meanwhile, "The People" is just okay. It is a very safe single and I did not find much uniqueness in the song. The song is still so much better than most of the mainstream hip hop that is played on the radio.



There does, however, seem to be some hype behind the next single. "The Game" will allegedly saturate the universe within the next week. But, of course, you can find it on YouTube along with this interview.

I really like Common's music. I am certain that I am not his biggest fan because there are some folks who are just more fanatical about him than I am. But I do enjoy his music and what he stands for. I listen to "Be" quite a bit. "The Corner" is my jam. "It's Your World" is also a fav. And though a lot people like "Go!," I do not like it, rather I don't like the lyrical content, but I really like the uptempo beats.

So my anticipation for "Finding Forever" is high. I don't like to have expectations before hearing a project. That way I'm not as let down if it's not so good. But Common will come through ... I am certain of that.

Hip hoppers, find some good music and share the love ... kfox!