Common, once perceived as a 40 oz-drinkin’ MC has evolved over the past decade to be one of the most prominent figures of conscious hip-hop. The Chicago native, Common, released The Dreamer, The Believer, on December 16th. The Dreamer, The Believer reveals Rashid “Common” Lynn – the artist, the man in a personal lyrical exploration. Common’s underground roots have returned as he strolls through the streets of his past while always looking to the future. Proving to all his critics who have stereotyped him as “Hollywood Mainstream” over recent years that Common is first and foremost a gritty lyricists’ MC. Calling out Drake and other soft MC’s flooding the industry with Hip-Pop. There is no specific theme throughout the fifty minutes but its evident Common wants his audience to know his dreams, his beliefs are what drive him and everyone should live the life they dream, they believe.
The Dreamer, The Believer reunites Common with longtime producer and fellow Chicagoan No I.D. for the first time since his 1997 release One Day It’ll All Make Sense. It may have been fifteen years but the Chi-Town chemistry is undisputably ILL on Com’s ninth album. No I.D.’s beats and soundscapes flow with Com’s lyrical assault. No I.D. drops cuts from Kenny Loggins to Chi-Town legend Curtis Mayfield, and features a tight soul sound that reigns supreme for the entirety of the LP.
Common, “Chi-Town’s Conscious MC”, and No I.D. “The Godfather of Chicago Hip Hop” have created an instant classic which will undoubtably be hailed as one of Chi-Town’s greatest contribution to Hip-Hop. There styles flow flawlessly throughout the album leaving nothing really to criticize. Whether your more partial to hip-pop, underground, or R&B, The Dreamer, The Believer offers something for everyone. Common’s most cohesive, complete album of his twenty year career has hit the streets. Despite being somewhat partial of the Chi-Town connection, reigning from the South Side myself, this album is the truth. So check it, download it, buy it, or whatever you may do cuz we are all The Dreamer, The Believer.