On this day in Hip Hop history, Chicago rap icon Common released his fifth studio album Electric Circus. This album may have not been Common’s most commercially successful release, selling under 300,000 copies, but it was one of his most highly anticipated and critically acclaimed albums. Common is quoted saying he “wasn’t feeling Hip Hop” while making this album and such feelings toward the genre are what fueled his new eclectic sound that fused hip hop, pop, rock, electronic, and neo-soul music together to create an electric circus of sound.
The inspiration for this album came from artists like “Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix” according to Common. The production came heavily from a collective of musicians called The Soulquarians. This star-studded group of musicians was created during the recording of Common’s previous release Like Water for Chocolate and consisted of ?uestlove of The Roots, Jay Dee of Slum Village, keyboardist James Poyser, and bassist Pino Palladino. This live instrumentation helped to shape the new sound that was emphasized on this album. This project also featured some production from the late, great J Dilla and The Neptunes. Lyrically, Common stuck to his underground roots and dove into subjects that were previously uncharted in the industry. His subject matter throughout the album pushes social boundaries when touching on topics of sexual abuse, homophobia, and racial injustice much to the same tune as Like Water For Chocolate. Common also worked with an extremely talented and eclectic group of lyricists on this project; Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Cee-Lo Green, and Bilal.
This album came at a time in Hip Hop where there was a rise in neo-soul-influenced projects. Artists like OutKast, The Roots, Most Def, Goodie Mob, and Jay Electronica were the ones at the time pioneering a way for eclectic rappers like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole to be able to be as popular as they are today. Electric Circus was one of those projects that were so outside the box that they allowed breathing room in Hip Hop and separated the genre from the club rocking hits that were coming out of the Dirty South and gangsta rap that was native to the West Coast. It helped make way for a refreshing sound in rap that is now prevalent in countless artists’ sounds.
It seems as if each day, the Hip Hop community is more shaken by allegations, many coming from Jaguar Wright. While the accomplished singer hasn’t had much traction in her career in what seems like decades, she’s still managed to keep the industry captivated. Her tales of times working behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in music have become viral moments that blogs have picked up on. However, things were magnified when Piers Morgan invited her as a guest on his show, and she began spouting her accusations of alleged “evil” behavior from the likes of power moguls, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z.
For years, Wright has appeared on podcasts revealing what she says are the abusive ills of Hollywood’s elite. “For four years, I’ve been screaming not just Diddy, but Diddy and Jay-Z are monsters… And the victim-making machine kept going on,” Wright told Morgan during their chat. Her proclamations have gone unchecked by Combs’ camp—seemingly as they battle bigger issues related to his sex trafficking case. Yet, not everyone has let Wright’s declarations slide as she matter-of-factly makes allegations that accuse fan favorites of being abusers, drug addicts, traffickers, and guilty of sex crimes.
Due to her Hollywood tales’ sensationalized, frequently unbelievable elements, audiences are often split about the validity. Some take the singer at her word and quickly share clips of Wright’s discussions. Others aren’t buying it, waiting for more proof of Wright’s claims. Yet, several celebrities who have found their names wrapped up in Wright’s explosive conversations have clapped back, refusing to stand by as she makes allegations against them. Here are a handful of times when Wright’s peers have accused her of outright lying or bending the truth.
Following Wright’s eyebrow-raising interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, it appeared as though Ray J was upset with her. Initially, he called her out for choosing Morgan’s platform and not opting for an outlet that leaned toward the culture. He stated, “You wanna keep taking these other n*ggas money and not showing love to the community? That sh*t weak as f*ck.” Ray also suggested he would have been a better fit. “You’re hitting all these other motherf*ckers back that’s from all these other countries. Like, you safe over there. You safe with me. Stop acting scary, Jaguar.”
That tune changed not long after because soon, he was calling her an outright liar. In an interview last year with RealLyfe Productions, Wright accused Ray J of being the last person to see Whitney Houston. She alleged the reality star mogul, along with mega-music executive Clive Davis, were involved in Houston’s death. Ray caught wind of the accusations and put his foot down.
“First off, I want to say Whitney Houston was a very special person in my life,” he told The Reality Check. “She has a very special place in my heart. […] I’m not going to talk sh*t about you, Jaguar. But when you are creating these stories and pushing narratives with no real basis, it’s clear that you’re doing some kind of attention-chasing, or you’re doing this sh*t for clout. Or just for negative destruction, right? Is that about seeking the truth? You want to stir up the pot for your own gain?
He also went to bat for Jay-Z and Beyoncé, who are Wright’s regular targets. “Our culture needs more truth and integrity, not chaos and confusion,” said Ray. “People were listening. You got our attention. Is what you’re saying true? Because this sh*t is outrageous. But I came to the conclusion that once I seen a story about me, and what you had to say about me and situations in my past, that is where I started to understand that you are totally fabricating stories and you are a complete liar. So, that means that I have no respect for you and nothing you’re saying. So, now, I’ma go further. How dare you disrespect Jay-Z and Beyoncé? Jay-Z is an OG. Don’t ever disrespect Beyoncé.”
Probably two of the most significant entertainment figures who responded to Wright’s allegations were the Knowles-Carters. Once again, her appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensoreddid not go unnoticed by the uber-famous couple and their teams. “Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, Robert Kelly, Sean Combs have one person in common, professionally and privately: Sean Carter [Jay-Z],” she alleged. “This has been a fist of tyranny punching through our culture for decades. It must stop.”
Meanwhile, Wright’s stories may travel fast through the internet, but Jay and Bey’s attorneys work faster. In the blink of an eye, Morgan was back on his program, issuing a public apology to the power couple. “Their lawyers contacted us to say that those claims were totally false, and have no basis in fact,” he said. Then, Morgan revealed that Wright’s comments would be clipped from the interview. “We apologize to Jay-Z and Beyonce.”
Some have theorized that Wright was never sued or threatened in the past because her stories must be true. However, it has been suggested that suing her wouldn’t do anyone any good because they couldn’t collect on a financial judgment (a la Taska K and Cardi B). Yet, Morgan and the networks he’s affiliated with could certainly be taken to court, which caused the swift apology clip.
Christopher Williams
The height of New Jack Swing icon Christopher William’s career was in the 1990s, but his legacy lives on. You can find him these days performing at festivals and even making a reality TV appearance or two, but his name was engrossed in controversy after Wright spoke about him in one of her many sit-downs. Wright alleged that many years ago, Williams had an oral sexual encounter with Diddy. Later, Williams clapped back, calling her a “crackhead” and said her assertions “ridiculous.”
He told Willie D Live, “Now she’s going on and on and on like she’s sure. But I’m like, ‘Bro, she’s hurting.’ I’m praying for her because we have to make a different stand and a different choice at this time. If I’m really solid, how can what she says affect me?” Moreover, this wasn’t the end of these two going back and forth; Wright would hop on RealLyfe Productions‘ couch again with a response. She vehemently denied taking any drugs and stood by her words.
Back in 2020, Wright was on Live once again and revealed shocking allegations about her former friend, Common. Wright was divulging alleged stories about the Chicago rapper and Philly icons The Roots, claiming that the emcee sexually assaulted her. According to the singer, the two were clothed when they were sharing a bed following a concert, and Common allegedly attempted to put his penis in her mouth. “You was with Serena [Williams], that didn’t work out. You was with whoever, you always got whoever’s hot dating you, but the sh*t don’t last long,” Wright said. “He ain’t been right since Lauryn Hill left him anyway.”
While speaking with Philadelphia’s Rise and Grind Morning Show, Common directly addressed the scathing rumors. “God bless, Jaguar. I really don’t have any negative thoughts towards her,” Common said. “I was for surely disappointed and hurt when she said what she said about me because it wasn’t true, I know people that have experienced sexual assault and that’s not anything to just say if it’s not true. But I also understand that she may be going through some things that I don’t understand.” He added, “In all truth, I went through different emotions. I’m like, oh man, why is she saying this? This is not true. How’s this gon’ affect me?”
DJ Vlad
He’s faced some harsh criticism from Hip Hop culture of his own, but that hasn’t stopped DJ Vlad from speaking up against Jaguar Wright. The VladTV creator also appeared on Piers Morgan’s show—the same episode as Wright. While the two didn’t speak on the program, Morgan did ask Vlad his thoughts on the singer’s outrageous allegations. Vlad made it clear he wasn’t a fan.
“Jaguar Wright is known to be a conspiracy theorist,” he told Morgan. “I don’t really co-sign anything that she says. I’ve never had her on my show, and I don’t have any plans to have her on my show.” Vlad added, “A lot of this stuff is just things she’s heard, things she’s making up. I can’t co-sign anything that Jaguar Wright is saying.” However, Wright later called his bluff, and in her following interview with RealLyfe Productions, she pulled up an email on her phone. She alleged that it came from DJ Vlad’s team, who requested an interview with her on VladTV.
When he caught wind of Wright’s latest update, Vlad was unmoved. He took to X to say, “Like I said in the Piers Morgan panel, Jaguar Wright has never been invited to do an interview, and she never will be. This is someone who seems to be suffering from mental illness. Anyone who interviews her is taking advantage of a mentally disabled person for views.” Famed music writer Touré has also echoed these sentiments about Wright’s mental stability.
It’s all fun and games until you hear your name wrapped up in a wild story, and Joe Budden wasn’t having any of it. The media personality took to his podcast to address Wright’s Piers Morgan interview and shut down rumors that the singer perpetuated. His response made it clear that he didn’t believe much of anything Jaguar Wright said about her knowledge of industry dealings and abuse. Budden also found himself on the receiving end of Wright’s accusations after she reportedly claimed the former rapper had a sexual encounter with Bad Boy producer Stevie J.
“No, she is grabbing the salacious and very obvious headlines and expounding on them with sh*t,” Joe Budden began. “And again, I’m only saying this ’cause I heard her say out of her mouth, that she saw a video of Stevie J and Joe Budden f*cking. So, I know, I know, I can say with 100 percent certainty—oh, that this lady just be saying sh*t to add to the luster of whatever the f*ck she’s saying.” To imprint his point, Budden continued, “I’ve never been in any compromising situation. I’ve never been in any situation where someone tried to overtake – that’s never happened to me.”
Common and Pete Rock have released the visually stunning new video for their song “When The Sun Shines Again,” off their debut full-length collaboration The Auditorium, Vol. 1, which dropped this summer via Loma Vista Recordings. The video features Bilal and De La Soul’s Posdnuos and was produced by Pete Rock. Directed by Marleaux Desire and ILLIMITEWORD, the video brings the song’s themes to life through creative and striking visuals.
Last Friday, the duo wrapped up their 19-stop The Auditorium Tour at Webster Hall in New York City. This performance followed their sold-out, three-night (six-show) residency at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club earlier in the week, where they wowed fans with their genre-blending live sets.
Earlier this month, Common and Pete Rock received four BET Hip Hop Awards nominations, including “Best Duo/Group” and “Impact Track” for their song “Fortunate.” Common also earned a nod for “Lyricist of the Year,” while Pete Rock was nominated for “Producer of the Year.”
HBCU institutions have a rich music culture. Over the last few decades, its various schools across the country have helped boost the careers of numerous artists by providing a space for their music to thrive. The shortlist of artists who have seen this effect include Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Rich Homie Quan, Migos, Young Thug, Young Dolph, and more. Additionally, the importance of music can be seen through HBCU bands that are extremely important to the fabric of school life. It comes to life through big displays like the annual Battle Of The Bands competitions and smaller instances like the infamous Grambling vs. Southern rivalry football games.
With all this being said, it’s no surprise that HBCUs have also produced some of the music’s most famous artists. From legends like Lionel Richie and Common and present day stars like Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, and Metro Boomin, the spirit of HBCUs runs through a number of artists — even if their tenure at the institution was short.
Ahead of homecoming season, we decided to spotlight ten artists who have connections to an HBCU. Scroll down for the list of artists and the institutions they attended.
Megan The Stallion (Texas Southern University)
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In 2021, the same year that she went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for her “Savage” remix with Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion graduated from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration. During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2021, Megan spoke about being in school “for so long” and how she balanced her rap career after deciding to ramp up her semester load to finish sooner. “Every time I had an assignment or something due, one of my managers would just pull me to the side and be like, ‘Hey Megan, you know you got to do this presentation today.’ Or ‘Hey Megan, you know you got to turn this assignment in today,’” she said. “I would have not been successful this semester without my team.”
SZA (Delaware State University)
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SZA attended Delaware Statue University after graduating from high school in 2008. The singer majored in marine biology and earned straight As for her first two semesters before losing interest. In a 2023 interview with Elle, SZA opened up about her experience in college. “I’m like, ‘I told you I was smart and I proved my point. I have to leave now,’” SZA said, recalling a conversation with her mother. A few years later, the singer met TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr., signed to the label, and the rest is history.
Metro Boomin (Morehouse College)
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Multi-platinum producer Metro Boomin spent just one semester at Atlanta’s Morehouse College before dropping out to pursue music. He spoke about the decisions that led to him leaving the school during a 2017 interview with GQ. “As grateful as I was to be there, I didn’t want to be there,” he said. “It was bittersweet, because I knew for a fact that I need to put all of my time into music. School is the same as producing: If you want to make it far, there are a million, trillion people trying to do the same thing. If you’re not in over-grind mode, it’s probably not going to work the way that you want it to.”
Rick Ross (Albany State University)
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Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross attended Albany State University on a football scholarship, but dropped out of school soon after. Ross’ pursuit of a music career kicked into gear at the turn of the century, and in the decades after, Ross’ ties to Albany State University have remained strong. In 2022, he spoke to students at the school for the homecoming convocation ceremony, where he told students that “the greatest job you will ever have is being CEO of your life.”
2 Chainz (Alabama State University)
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Just like Rick Ross, 2 Chainz also attended an HBCU off an athletic scholarship. His, however, was a basketball scholarship to Alabama State University. In a 2017 interview with The Daily Beast, 2 Chainz said that he left ASU after his freshman year after he “got into some trouble.” He later returned to the school to complete his degree. In another conversation, this time with Rolling Stone, 2 Chainz addressed rumors that he graduated with a 4.0 GPA. “Don’t believe anything on Wack-ipedia,” he said. “There’s a lot of false stuff on there, to the point that every time I try to fix one thing, something else comes out.”
Wale (Virginia State University & Bowie State University)
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Our collection of HBCU scholarship athletes continues with Wale. The DMV rapper initially attended Robert Morris University on a football scholarship before transferring to Virginia State University. His football career would come to an end when he transferred to another HBCU, Bowie State University, but Wale would later drop out to pursue a music career. It was at VSU that Wale discovered his musical talents. In a 2021 conversation with The Ringer, Wale recalled spitting freestyles art the school’s Foster Hall. “The guy that was across the hall from me in my dorm was like, ‘Keep going, keep going. You tight,’” he said. “People really started f*cking with me at Virginia State.”
Killer Mike (Morehouse College)
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Earlier this year, Killer Mike won his first Grammys as a lead artist for Best Rap Album with Michael and Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song with “Scientists.” Those awards came more than 20 years after Mike won his first Grammy thanks to a feature on Outkast’s “The Whole World.” That song was the result of Mike and Big Boi’s friendship which came about through Mike’s attendance of Morehouse College in the 1990s. “The deciding factor for me getting into Morehouse was probably my homeroom teacher,” Killer Mike told the Seattle Times. “He was a Morehouse man. His name was Mister Lee-Roy Arnold.”
He added, “I think [Mr. Arnold] saw something in me, because he pushed me and messed with me for five years, to the point where he bet me all my book money for the first year that I would not get into Morehouse.”
Common (Florida A&M University)
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Before Common achieved his dreams of being a successful rapper, the Chicago native was enrolled at Florida A&M University under an academic scholarship as a business administration major. Common would only stay at the school for two years before dropping out to pursue rap. In 2019, nearly 30 years after he attended, Common would be honored with a doctorate degree in fine arts and invited him to speak at that year’s commencement ceremony. In his speech, Common said that his activism, which went on to be ever-present in his music, began right at FAMU where he says his experience was unlike anything he went through in hometown of Chicago.
Erykah Badu (Grambling State University)
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Erykah Badu nearly graduated from Grambling State University with a major in theater, but she left the school in 1993 to focus on her music career. Four years later, she delivered her debut album Baduizm, a masterclass in neo-soul that’s still heralded as a classic today. In an interview with the school’s newspaper The Gramblinite, Badu recalled her time at the university. “I auditioned for several plays while at GSU at the Floyd L. Sandle Theatre,” she said. “I danced with the Orchesis and was involved in a rap group called ‘CP Posse,’ which stands for Cultural Production.”
Lionel Richie (Tuskegee Institute)
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While all the artists on this list did not experience the HBCU life until their adult years, Lionel Richie’s time at an HBCU dates back to his childhood. The legendary singer grew up on Tuskegee Institute’s campus before attending the school and earning a Bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in accounting. “In my world growing up on campus, we were surrounded by gospel music because of the choir,” Richie said of his experience to The Austin Chronicle. “R&B music was the music they played on the college campus.”
Yesterday, hip-hop icons Common and Pete Rock delighted fans at Rough Trade Records in NYC, signing personal copies of their new album, The Auditorium Vol. 1. The vinyl and CD releases of the album are set for Friday, September 27.
In response to overwhelming demand, the duo surprised fans by announcing a newly added show at Webster Hall on the same day to close out their tour. This follows their sold-out residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club from September 23-25, where they performed six shows across three nights. For those unable to attend in person, a Blue Note show will be live-streamed on September 25 at 8 PM ET.
Common and Pete Rock’s recent collaboration has garnered significant attention, earning them four BET Hip Hop Awards nominations, including “Best Duo/Group” and “Impact Track” for their single “Fortunate.” Common is also nominated for “Lyricist of the Year,” while Pete Rock is up for “Producer of the Year.”
Additionally, the pair will participate in an “Up Close and Personal” GRAMMY U event at NYU on September 26, moderated by Dan Charnas. The Auditorium, Vol. 1 marks a landmark collaboration, solidifying its place in hip-hop history.
Questlove recently spoke with Common and Pete Rock on his Questlove Supreme podcast, and the conversation yielded something The Roots fans have been waiting for since the group’s latest album, 2014’s …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin: News of a new album.
During the episode, Questlove said of the upcoming project, “I know the exact date I want to release it, and it’s not 2024, but it’s a seminal 2025 date that will make sense once it comes out.”
Worth noting is that 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of The Roots’ Do You Want More?!!!??! (which was released on January 17, 1995), as well as the 15th anniversaries of How I Got Over (June 22, 2010) and the collaborative John Legend album Wake Up! (September 21, 2010).
Quest also spoke about how Common and Pete Rock’s 2024 joint album The Auditorium Vol. 1 has inspired him and Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) to finish their upcoming album. He said:
“I will say that it’s made Tariq into… the motherf*cker wrote seven songs in one day! We have not done that since our second album. […] I was like, ‘Yo, dog. You ain’t going to believe this, but Rash [Common] and Pete made the perfect summit meeting record. No person’s outshining the other person.’ […] I was just going off about it and I could tell I planted a seed. But then, I think after the Hollywood Bowl performance that we did, […] I think that lit something under Tariq.
I mean, I can say in the last two weeks, he’s knocked off at least 80 percent. […] I mean, back in Do You Want More?!!!??! days, ‘Riq would write, like, six or seven songs in a setting. This album is definitely […] it’s probably what he’s working on right now as I speak. It’s inspiring.”
Hip-hop legends Common and Pete Rock released the highly anticipated music video for their song “Dreamin’.” The video, directed by award-winning filmmaker Raven Jackson, features the duo in New York City and includes a collection of Common’s home videos, offering fans an intimate glimpse into special moments of his life. Produced by Kristian King, Pulse Films, and There We Go Films, the video captures the heartfelt essence of the song, beautifully brought to life through Jackson’s expert direction.
Following the release, Common and Pete Rock are set to hit the stage tomorrow in Del Mar, CA, kicking off their groundbreaking and much-anticipated The Auditorium Tour. This unique show will bring their new album to life in a way fans have never seen before. The tour will also include a performance at The Napa Blue Note Jazz Festival on Friday.
The 18-stop tour will visit major cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, and Boston, culminating in a three-night residency at New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club from September 23-25, with two shows per night.
The Auditorium Tour Routing
Wed Aug 28 – Del Mar, CA – The Sound
Thurs Aug 29 – Los Angeles, CA – United Theatre
Fri Aug 30 – Napa, CA @ Blue Note Jazz Festival
Tues Sept 3 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
Fri Sept 6 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge
Sat Sept 7 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
Mon Sept 9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
Tues Sept 10 – Charlotte, NC – Fillmore
Wed Sept 11 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
Fri Sept 13 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Sat Sept 14 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
Sun Sept 15 – Washington DC – 930 Club
Tue Sept 17 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
Wed Sept 18 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
Fri Sept 20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Mon Sept 23 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
Tues Sept 24 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
Wed Sept 25 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
Fresh off their album release week, where The Auditorium, Vol. 1 debuted at #3 on the Rap Album charts, hip hop legends Common and Pete Rock have released a new video for their song “Fortunate.” The visually captivating short film, directed by Marleaux Desire and ILLIMITEWORD, features Common in his hometown of Chicago, paying homage to the people and experiences that have shaped his life.
In “Fortunate,” Common returns to The Deck (87th Street) and The Foundation (Chicago), reconnecting with childhood friends and marking a poignant moment in his career. This is a standout track from The Auditorium, Vol. 1, their first full-length collaboration released via Loma Vista Recordings. The album melds Common’s evocative lyricism with Pete Rock’s celebrated production, creating a timeless piece that echoes the past, present, and future of hip hop.
The “Fortunate” short film began its rollout on Monday, July 29, with a BET’s 1st Look Premiere. It received hourly airings across multiple BET/MTV channels, including BET Jams, Yo! MTV, MTV Live, and MTVu. Additionally, it was featured prominently on Paramount’s Times Square billboard throughout the day, showcasing its broad appeal and cultural significance.
The Auditorium Tour
In support of their album, Common and Pete Rock are hitting the road for The Auditorium Tour. The 18-stop tour kicks off on August 28 in Del Mar, California, and includes stops in major cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, Boston, and more, culminating in a three-night residency at New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club from September 23-25.
Tour Dates:
Wed, Aug 28 – Del Mar, CA – The Sound
Thu, Aug 29 – Los Angeles, CA – United Theatre
Fri, Aug 30 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Jazz Festival
Tue, Sep 3 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
Fri, Sep 6 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge
Sat, Sep 7 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
Mon, Sep 9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
Tue, Sep 10 – Charlotte, NC – Fillmore
Wed, Sep 11 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
Fri, Sep 13 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Sat, Sep 14 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
Sun, Sep 15 – Washington DC – 930 Club
Tue, Sep 17 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
Wed, Sep 18 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues
Fri, Sep 20 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Mon-Wed, Sep 23-25 – New York, NY – Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
This tour not only promises to deliver live performances of tracks from their critically acclaimed album but also offers fans a chance to witness the duo’s synergy and creativity on stage. As Common and Pete Rock have solidified their legacies in hip hop, The Auditorium Tour stands as a testament to their enduring influence and dedication to hip hop.
Watch Common and Pete Rock talk about their new project below.
On the heels of their album release, Common and Pete Rock have announced The Auditorium Tour, set to kick off on August 28 in Del Mar, California. This 18-stop tour, with T-Mobile as the official wireless partner, will visit major cities, including Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, and Boston. The tour will conclude with a three-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City from September 23-25.
Fans can purchase tickets starting with an artist presale on Wednesday, July 17, at noon local time through Thursday, July 18, at 10 PM local time. To register for the artist presale, visit Common’s website starting Monday, July 15 at 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT. A Spotify presale will also be available on Thursday, July 18, from 10 AM local time to 10 PM local time. General ticket sales begin on Friday, July 19 at 10 AM local time. Tickets can be purchased at thinkcommon.com.
Don’t miss seeing Common and Pete Rock live on The Auditorium Tour. Prepare for an unforgettable experience with incredible music and live performances from these legendary artists.
Golden Era stalwarts Common and Pete Rock joined forces this year to release a new joint album, The Auditorium, Vol. 1. Featuring the singles “Wise Up” and “All Kind Of Ideas,” the album isn’t quite a “return” to form for either the rapper or producer (because neither ever departed from their respective forms to begin with), but it is a thrilling example of how age gracefully in a genre that tends to discard its pioneers when they grow those grays.
Now, they’re taking the show on the road, announcing their Auditorium tour, which begins in August. The tickets will go on sale Friday, July 19 at 10 AM local time. An artist presale begins Wednesday, July 17 at 12 PM local through Thursday July 18 at 10 PM local. You can register starting today and get more information here. See below for tour dates.
Common & Pete Rock Tour Dates
08/28 — Del Mar, CA @ The Sound
08/29 — Los Angeles, CA @ United Theatre
08/30 — Napa, CA @ Blue Note Jazz Festival
09/03 — Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
09/06 — Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge
09/07 — Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre
09/09 — Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
09/10 — Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
09/11 — Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
09/13 — Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
09/14 — Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
09/15 — Washington, DC @ 930 Club
09/17 — Red Bank, NJ @ The Vogel
09/18 — Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
09/20 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
09/23 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
09/24 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
09/25 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows per night)
