Common... known for his lyric-ology, American Gangster, Peace-Love-and-GAP, political and social consciousness, Def Poetry floetry, and other marks of talent that have encompassed the success of his ever evolving career, recently released Universal Mind Control towards the end of '08. Now... For those of us who have been a witness to the growth of Common as an artist, we know that this album is definitely different, and even in some cases hard to grasp and accept. Common has always been a renaissance man of sorts by taking the road less traveled in terms of his music, yet this album seemed to almost cater to the mainstream culture in more ways than one. For those of you that don't know Common, he is an all-around uber-threat of raw talent from acting, to commercials, poetry, hip hop artistry, book writing, and MORE. I had MIXED EMOTIONS about this album at first. It was definitely a risky album that stands out from the rest of his discography. His usual LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE lyrics and tones make him different than the usual AMERICAN GANGSTER hip hop that flood the radio waves, yet UNIVERSAL MIND CONTROL moves you in an ELECTRIC CIRCUS sort of way. I was so afraid that he was selling out to the mainstream that I couldn't get into liking the album no matter how hard I tried, until I read his article in the January 2009 issue of SKINNIE MAGAZINE. GENIUS!!!!
During his interview, Common mentioned that he wanted to use this album to aid in his growth. He talks about how he was at a club in the UK and that his DJ went up to spin, and that he wouldn't even spin his music! He took up the challenge to make UNIVERSAL music, yet still have his message BE understood by THE PEOPLE. GENIUS!!!
I now have a new appreciation and respect for the album and I can now see it for its purpose. Once again, Common made yet another successful RESURRECTION by bestowing upon us another piece of GETO HEAVEN for our ears! COME CLOSE, check... out his new album on iTunes, as well as some of my favorite tracks by COMMON! Spread the word, and lets hear your thoughts and opinions!
Check out his CHARITY foundation as well!!!!
UNIVERSAL MIND CONTROL!!!
THE LIGHT!!!
COME CLOSE!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment