About the artist

Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. in Chicago, Illinois, is one of hip-hop's most respected lyricists, known for blending intricate wordplay, jazz-inflected production, and socially conscious themes. Emerging in the early 1990s as Common Sense, he shortened his name after a legal dispute and built a reputation as a leading voice of conscious rap, standing apart from the more commercially dominant gangsta rap of the era.

His 1994 album Resurrection, featuring the classic «I Used to Love H.E.R.», established him as a serious lyrical talent, while Like Water for Chocolate (2000), produced largely by J Dilla and the Soulquarians collective, marked a creative high point that fused hip-hop with soul and jazz sensibilities. He continued to evolve across the 2000s and 2010s, working with producers like Kanye West and No I.D., and released Be and Finding Forever to widespread critical acclaim.

Beyond music, Common has built a parallel career as an actor and activist, and won an Academy Award for the song «Glory», recorded with John Legend for the film Selma, a track that reflected his long-standing engagement with civil rights and social justice themes. Across three decades, Common has remained a bridge between hip-hop's lyrical tradition and broader cultural conversations about race, identity, and community.

Born1972
OriginChicago, Illinois, USA
Active since1992
LabelsRelativity Records, MCA Records, Def Jam Recordings, Aftermath Entertainment

Popular tracks

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Track

Frequently asked questions

Where is Common from?+
Common is from Chicago, Illinois, USA.
What genre is Common?+
Common is associated with Rap, R&B, Pop.
What are the most popular songs by Common?+
Among the most popular are «The Light», «I Used to Love H.E.R.», «Glory».
How many Common songs are on Lyricser?+
Lyricser features 99 popular Common songs with lyrics and line-by-line translations into five languages.
When did Common start?+
Common has been active since 1992.

Similar artists

Discography

Be (20th Anniversary)

Be (20th Anniversary)

2025

Mo: Season 2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)

Mo: Season 2 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)

2025

The Auditorium, Vol. 1

The Auditorium, Vol. 1

2024

Mo (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)

Mo (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series)

2022

A Beautiful Revolution, Pt. 2

A Beautiful Revolution, Pt. 2

2021

A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1

A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1

2020

The Perfect Sense 2

The Perfect Sense 2

2020

Let Love

Let Love

2019

Live at the Jazz Room

Live at the Jazz Room

2017

Black America Again

Black America Again

2016

Nobody’s Smiling

Nobody’s Smiling

2014

The Dreamer/The Believer

The Dreamer/The Believer

2011

GO! Common Classics

GO! Common Classics

2010

Universal Mind Control

Universal Mind Control

2008

Announcement EP

Announcement EP

2008

The Perfect Sense

The Perfect Sense

2008

Signature Mix Series: Criminal Minded ’08 / The Light ’08 / Midnight ’08

Signature Mix Series: Criminal Minded ’08 / The Light ’08 / Midnight ’08

2008

Thisisme Then: The Best of Common

Thisisme Then: The Best of Common

2007

Finding Forever (Instrumentals)

Finding Forever (Instrumentals)

2007

Finding Forever

Finding Forever

2007

Be

Be

2005

Come Close Remix (Closer)

Come Close Remix (Closer)

2003

Electric Circus

Electric Circus

2002

Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate

2000

The Light (Remix)

The Light (Remix)

2000

Like Water For Chocolate (Instrumental)

Like Water For Chocolate (Instrumental)

2000

One-Nine-Nine-Nine / Like They Used To Say

One-Nine-Nine-Nine / Like They Used To Say

1999

One Day It’ll All Make Sense

One Day It’ll All Make Sense

1997

The Bitch in Yoo

The Bitch in Yoo

1996

Resurrection (12" Single)

Resurrection (12" Single)

1995

Resurrection

Resurrection

1994

Can I Borrow a Dollar?

Can I Borrow a Dollar?

1992

Soul by the Pound (12" Single)

Soul by the Pound (12" Single)

1992