USA Basketball has tapped Common to hype up fans ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. USA Basketball has assembled a stacked team to go for the gold in Paris. The team features the likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and several other superstars. The roster is a strong response to the USA placing third in the FIBA Basketball World Cup last summer. That World Cup team featured mostly young up-and-coming players. Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Halliburton, standouts on the bronze medal team, will also feature on the Olympic Roster.
Common hypes up Team USA in a promo that recalls the dominance that is Team USA Basketball’s history. He recalls The Dream team that set everything off and the Redeem Team that brought the USA back to the top of the mountain. Common introduced the 2024 roster in epic fashion. Building up what will be a must-see event this summer. Getting to see LeBron, Steph, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis on the same team is a basketball dream.
Common introduces the entire stacked USA roster. He gives each player their proper due to explain just how amazing it is they are all going to be on the same team. You have the inside dominance of players like Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. You have the supreme shooting of Steph Curry with the overall dominance of someone like LeBron. It is refreshing to see players of this stature still putting themselves out there and playing for Team USA. Players like KD are looking to make history and break Team USA records.
The NBA Playoffs are starting to kick off. Things can change due to injury and other reasons. Despite the possibility of players changing the roster, it will be one of the strongest in NBA history. Common and the new promo are definitely adding to the occasion. The Paris Olympics won’t be a walk in the park. The USA will have to go up against the likes of Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and rookie Victor Wembanyama, among other international stars. This summer is going to be special for basketball fans.
On this date in 1972, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., the rapper, actor, and poet also known as Common was born in Chicago, Illinois. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist is not only an icon of Windy City’s Hip Hop scene, but he has also helped to blaze a trail for Golden Era rappers into other aspects of entertainment as he has with his roles in blockbuster movies such as American Gangster, John Wick 2 and Glory just to name a few. The newly signed HBO producer has come a long way since he was known as Common Sense asking Can I Borrow A Dollar?
As we salute Common on his born day, let us send him a keen reminder of his first love that brought him into our living rooms, literally making him a household name.
Last month, rapper Common made an intriguing appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, where he danced around questions about his romantic life, leaving fans buzzing with speculation. During the show, Common, 51, coyly described his girlfriend as an EGOT winner, hinting at a high-profile relationship without revealing any names.
However, the mystery deepened when host Jennifer Hudson, 42, joked during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, suggesting she initially thought Common was referring to fellow EGOT-er Whoopi Goldberg as his girlfriend. The playful banter between Hudson and Kimmel added fuel to the rumor mill, with fans eagerly trying to decipher the true nature of Common’s relationship.
For those unfamiliar, achieving EGOT status is considered a prestigious milestone in the entertainment industry, requiring an individual to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award throughout their career. With both Common and Hudson boasting remarkable careers across various entertainment platforms, speculation about their relationship has only intensified.
Despite the playful back-and-forth between Hudson and Common, neither has explicitly confirmed or denied their romantic involvement. Their coy responses and subtle hints have only added to the intrigue surrounding their potential relationship.
Appearing on Ebro In The Morning on New York’s Hot 97 Wednesday morning (January 24), the Chicago rapper shared his take after being asked for his opinion by host Ebro Darden. “I think Drake comes from hip-hop,” he said, in more-or-less direct contradiction to Bey’s viewpoint. “When I first heard him rhyming, I was like, ‘Yo, this dude rhyming.’ And if he goes out and makes songs that are popular, then that’s what it is. He’s still an MC… The dude is an incredible songwriter, he’s an incredible artist… You gotta have some respect and know that this dude is a very talented artist.”
After the host’s joked that Yasiin’s take was “very on-brand for him,” Common was also very complimentary to his rapper-turned-actor, saying, “He has poetry within his rap. He can style on anything. He can do a lot.”
Bey set of days of intense debate within the hip-hop world when he said during an interview, “Drake is pop to me, in the sense like, if I was in Target in Houston and I heard a Drake song… it feels like a lot of his music is compatible with shopping.” While some hip-hop heads (mostly those who likely stopped listening to new rap music sometime in 2005) agreed, others felt that the take was unfair to Drake or idealized hip-hop as an artform, since early rappers were equally as materialistic in their music.
Meanwhile, Drake himself pointed out that he could never NOT be hip-hop, using an old Method Man quote as an example and pointing out the hypocrisy inherent in Bey’s comments as someone who once fought for the expansion of artistic expression in hip-hop. “What umi say again?” he wrote, nodding to Bey’s 1999 single “Umi Says,” in which Bey sings, “My Umi said shine your light on the world / Shine your light for the world to see.”
Of course, there’s also Lil Wayne’s take, which simplified all Drake hate down to one simple reason.
Watch Common’s interview with Ebro In The Morning above.
Common and Jennifer Hudson have lit a fire under the rumors of their relationship. Common appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show and answered a pressing question from the host: “Are you dating anyone?”
Common pulled out his charm in response: “I’m in a relationship that is with one of the most beautiful people I ever met in life. She’s smart, she loves God, she has something real down-to-earth about her, she’s talented.”
You can see the Chicago couple tease their romance below.
As we observe and celebrate the life and acomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the date of his birth, we must recognize the posthumous impact Dr .King on the minds of those generations that succeeded him, including that of the Hip Hop community. His cultural influence, the cohesive force of his voice and his undying love for all of mankind makes Dr. King’s works so attractive to the creatives and aficianados of Hip Hop music.
Some artists may have mimicked his commanding vocal tone, while some have even adopted proactive stance on civil and human rights, but here, we have come up with a list of songs from some of the fans’ favorite artists who have put a piece of the King via his speeches in their music.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – “The King” (Sampled “I Have A Dream” speech)
Boogie Down Productions – “Love’s Gonna Getcha” (Sampled “Been To The Mountaintop” Speech)
Common feat. Will I A.M. – “A Dream” (Sampled “I Have A Dream” Speech)
dead prez – “Malcolm Garvey Huey” (speech reference unknown)
Tyga – “Careless World” (Sampled “Been To The Mountaintop speech)
The world has come to stand and acknowledge the 50-year mark of the assassination of a man who is defined as being the most influential civil rights leader in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Dr. King was fatally struck with a bullet by James Earl Ray, an unlawful racist. The striking assassination of Dr. King follows a sturdy 14-year reign serving as a dominant figure in the civil rights movement fighting for the security of legal rights for African Americans. It was a fight drilled with nonviolence and civil disobedience, being burgeoned by the vile acts of racial segregation, disenfranchisement, and exploitation of all hanging from the centerfold of racism.
The powerfully symphonic voice of Dr. King in his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington sets the tone for emotional empowerment. It is currently the most sampled Dr. King audio recording in hip-hop history. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his sound legacy. Here are nine hip-hop songs sampled by the legendary leader’s voice.
1. Sadat X “Return of the Bang Bang” (2010)
Reigning from the silver-tongued posse who is bound to their divine blackness is Sadat X of Brand Nubian on the solo tip with “Return of the Bang Bang.” The unorthodox emcee takes to the mic to drop insight about his daily journey as a seasoned vet returning to the game. In his signature abstract style, Sadat uses Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” passage to serve rightful diction in his tunnel of bars. “Return of the Bang Bang” is featured on Sadat’s 2010 sequel gem Wild Cowboys II.
2. Heavy D & the Boyz “A Better Land” (1989)
One of the golden era’s finest, the late Heavy D is pouring his soul out in rhyme in “A Better Land” with his boyz about improving the meager conditions of impoverished communities. The telling track starts with a sample of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech that ends with one of his most acquainted quotes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, are created equal.”
3. Edo G feat. Masta Ace “Wishing” (2004)
Donald Trump is not the first President of the United States to be highly scorned by most of his country. Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in office, turning America’s dream into a nightmare with his jest-like measures. Edo G and Masta Ace took to the mic to release their wishes while demanding intrinsic change in the American way. After Masta Ace crops the title of a dreamer, Dr. King’s infamous line about his dream for freedom and justice in Mississippi hoards the track.
4. Cyhi Da Prynce “Ring Bellz” (2010)
Cyhi Da Prynce is honoring his cultural edge through the barrels of black history in “Ring Bellz” a song from his 2010 mixtape Royal Flush. While mixing his braggadocios persona with black excellence, the G.O.O.D. music wordplayer takes it from Fredrick Douglass to Stokely Carmichael, with the profound words from Dr. King’s beloved speech leading the track.
5. Common feat. will.i.am “A Dream” (2006)
Chicago’s renowned poet in rhyme Common teamed up with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas for a true hip-hop measure that reflects on the progression and condition of blacks in a known racist America, the way Dr. King stood sturdy for titled “A Dream.” Owning the same desire for nation zenith, just as King, it was sensible for the abstract collab to start with King’s pacifying “We gonna work it out” saying.
6. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five “The King” (1988)
With Melle Mel being heralded as one of hip-hop’s earliest conscious rappers, the lingering legacy of Dr. King has certainly played a role during hip-hop’s infancy. The hip-hop pioneer rocks the mic with delight honoring the deeds of Dr. King by recognizing the Civil rights icon’s brightest accomplishments while calling for the bells of freedom. “He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak.”
7. Wu-Tang Clan “Never Let Go” (2014)
Known for their supremely motivational rap hymns, the Wu-Tang Clan hit the masses with a dream driven tune in signature fashion. Docking off of their sixth studio album A Better Tomorrow is “Never Let Go” an ode to survival during challenging times. Before Masta Killa leads and after U-God anchors the track, a courteous potent chunk of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is heard where the beloved leader makes one of his most bracing points, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.”
8. Boogie Down Productions “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love)” (1990)
Emphasis is something KRS-One has mastered as a lyricist. Amid the prime of Boogie Down Productions‘ fourth studio album Edutainment comes its top single “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love),” a song that serves as a warning about the detrimental lust that comes with chasing after material things. To throw emphasis on “movin’ on,” the voice of Dr. King chanting the phrase from his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”
9. Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike “Civil War” (2011)
Budding off of the musically factious Immortal Technique‘s 2011 compilation album The Martyr is “Civil War” featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike, an unapologetic effort to audibly express “trying to survive cultural assassination,” the great PE lead makes it clear in the chorus. The track samples a selection of King’s final speech, where the iconic leader encourages the destruction of fear in exchange for glory.
Dr. King’s call for sound justice fused into a faithful dream for African Americans has thrived its way into hip-hop culture out of the purpose of nature. The infancy of hip-hop culture is a result of movements that brewed during Dr. King’s time. Movements that were centered in the fight for justice and art of freedom such as the Black Panther Party and Black Arts Movement, who all commonly owned a desire to climb the path of racial justice. The youth of hip-hop’s beginnings dreamed of topnotch mobility out of the hood, reversing the culture of police brutality, and several cases of discrimination ceased. Now, since the culture has grown into a universal phenomenon, Dr. King’s dreamy element of justice is emblematic in hip-hop whenever he is sampled on a track.
SoundExchange, the premier music tech organization powering the future of music, announced today that award-winning artist, actor, author, and activist Common was honored with the SoundExchange Music Fairness Award for his advocacy with the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA).
“Common is a master lyricist, respected by his peers in the art form, and an outspoken advocate for creators,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “He is also an accomplished actor, poet, and philanthropist, all while advocating for performers’ right to be paid when their music is played on terrestrial radio. We are honored to work alongside Common and to recognize him with the SoundExchange Music Fairness Award.”
Common joins previous SoundExchange Music Fairness award recipients Gloria Estefan and Dionne Warwick. He was presented with the honor by SoundExchange CEO and President Michael Huppe at the company’s 20th anniversary celebration at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
The Roots Picnic has been a staple of the band’s hometown, Philadelphia since 2008, bringing guests from across the spectrum of their collaborators and friends to Penn’s Landing. For those of us on the West Coast, though, the exciting festival has been a little difficult to attend. That all changes next year, when The Roots bring The Roots Picnic to LA, thanks to the Hollywood Bowl. Roots Picnic: Hip-Hop Is The Love Of My Life will take place on Saturday, June 29, along with special guests Arrested Development, Black Sheep, Common, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, and more. Tickets for the event go on sale Thursday, December 14, at 10 AM PT at hollywoodbowl.com. The full Hollywood Bowl 2024 season will be announced in February 2024.
For the most part, The Roots have been busy as the house band of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (who helped keep their friendship tight), but individual members like Questlove and Black Thought have been busy with endeavors ranging from memoirs (see Uproxx’s interview with Black Thought about The Upcycled Selfhere) to planning the Grammys’ Hip-Hop 50 tribute (which he says caused him to lose some teeth). Quest is also set to direct Disney’s live-action remake of The Aristocats.
With Black Friday behind us, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday share the week following Thanksgiving. Giving Tuesday, often described as a global day of giving or a global generosity movement, is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The amount of charities to donate to may seem overwhelming, but we have made a list for hip-hop fans who want to donate to a good cause led by some of their favorite artists.
Nas, Save the Music foundation: For over 25 years, Nas’ organization has been delivering equitable access to music education for millions of students nationwide. Find out more and donate at https://www.savethemusic.org.
Beyoncé, BeyGOOD foundation– BeyGOOD foundation: Founded by Queen Bey, BeyGOOD focuses on economic equity by supporting marginalized and under-resourced programs, committed to serving people through educational scholarships, the advocacy of internships, and access to resources for advancing entrepreneurship and small business sustainability across the country and abroad. In addition to donating, people can volunteer with various affiliated causes. Find out more at https://beygood.org/.
Chance the Rapper, SocialWorks: Since 2016, Chance the Rapper’s Chicago-based organization has been empowering youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement. In addition to making a donation, supporters can also cop some SocialWorks swag on the site at https://www.socialworkschi.org/about-us/
50 Cent,G-Unity: In addition to being a successful rapper, 50 Cent is known to be a savvy businessman and his charity is helping empower youth with a year-long course that equips students in high-need communities with business acumen so they can start their own companies and achieve generational wealth. Find out more and donate at https://gunityfoundation.org
Akon, the Borgen project: Growing up in Senegal, Akon did not always have access to electricity, a problem facing many people still today. In 2014, Akon launched the “Akon Lighting Africa” project to help Africans access low-cost yet sustainable energy through solar power. In addition to donations, fans can also volunteer to be part of the organization’s efforts. More information can be found at https://borgenproject.org/electricity-to-africa/#:~:text=In%202014%2C%20Akon%20launched%20the,to%20more%20communities%20in%20Africa.
Snoop Dogg, Snoop Youth Football League: It’s no secret that Snoop is a many of many talents- rapper, entrepreneur, gamer, and football expert. His Youth Football league, which now includes basketball and football, helps provide youth with a solid foundation through sports. Find out more and donate at https://snoopfootball.com.
Big Sean, Sean Anderson Foundation: Detroit native Big Sean’s nonprofit focuses on providing Detroit-area youth with programs designed to promote economic prosperity, education and training, physical and mental health initiatives, and more. More information can be found at https://seanandersonfoundation.org/about/
Alicia Keys, Keep a Child Alive: Alicia Keys’ charity provides HIV/AIDS service and support for 9 community organizations that serve people throughout Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and India. Find out how you can get involved or donate at https://www.keepachildalive.org
Kanye West,Donda’s House (Common has also donated): Kanye’s mother played an important role in his life and he’s honored her legacy through Donda’s house, which provides programming that combines creative arts such as music and fashion with business development, marketing skills, and event planning to young adults on the south side of Chicago. More information can be found at ) https://www.macfound.org/grantee/dondas-house-10104166/
Rihanna, Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF): the foundation was founded in 2012 by Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF invests in climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean & United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters. To find our more, visit https://claralionelfoundation.org
J Cole, Dreamville Foundation: North Carolina native J Cole’s charitable organization provides programs, events, and charitable donations that empower and inspire youth in his native Fayetteville to achieve success in reaching their dreams. Supporters can donate at https://www.thedreamvillefoundation.org
