After cranking out six albums in just over a decade, including his most recent release, Be, which earned him four Grammy nods, an MTV Video Music Award, a corral of other prestigious accolades and nominations, and -- oh yeah -- a gold record, you'd think Common might feel like looking into a comfortable retirement someplace sunny and chill. You'd think, right? But, the mega-watt star is nowhere near ready to hang up his hat -- in fact, he recently launched a line of handmade Italian hats, and he kicked off an acting career to boot. But, somewhere between highlighting his lines inside the scripts of Hollywood blockbusters and his haberdashery hobby, wedged into his schedule next to reppin' The Gap and Converse sneaks plus PETA and Project (RED), Common managed to create his seventh album in 15 fruitful years.
Finding Forever, produced by hip-hop heavyweight and fellow Chi-town emcee Kanye West, is an epic embrace of Common's signature soulful side. The album, particularly the tracks "So Far To Go" and "The Game," is also a tribute to the late J. Dilla, a rapper, record producer and Common's close companion who died in 2006 of complications caused by lupus.
Common also mixes it up, bringing in British pop star Lily Allen on the track "Driving Me Wild." He samples the legendary Nina Simone, and the always-soulful D'Angelo even pops up on a track. Common's characteristic spitfire delivery and bold musical exploration is still very much present on Finding Forever, but after years spent establishing his place amongst often thugged-out competition, Common, who says the album's title "really means to find a place in music where you can exist forever," has carved out his spiritual niche and isn't scared to express it. Seven albums strong, and Common's got nothing else to prove and nothing left to do but send out his message loud and clear: "I write love songs, point blank, and I ain't ashamed of it," Common stated. Spoken like a man who isn't afraid to express himself and who isn't showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.
Listen to the entire album on mtv.com:
http://www.mtv.com/music/the_leak/common/finding_forever/index.jhtml#
Make sure to cop it 8)
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