Common was standing at the crossroads following the mixed critical reception and commercial misfire of his fifth album, 2002’s highly-anticipated -- and equally as polarizing -- psychedelic-steeped ...

Close, But No Coronation: Common turns out solid, enjoyable yet over-hyped hip-hop record Fair enough; as I mention above, Common is at home amidst the structured black-music history lessons Dee and ...

Common's "Be" were many new age fans' introduction to the Chicago rap star as it was the first album on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music. The album was a huge commercial success for Common Sense and Kanye ...

On the album's 20th anniversary, it's much easier to recognize Be as a crucial intersection record — not simply for Common, on his way to becoming rap's hokey, well-intentioned uncle, but for hip-hop ...