Lonnie Rashid Lynn is known as an “ordinary person” by the world and is a true idol of American art and culture. He has received significant awards and acclaim as a rapper and actor, and throughout his decades long career, he has demonstrated incredible growth and dedication to art and social causes.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Common’s narrative is one of continuous growth, marked by distinct creative phases and an unwavering pursuit of artistic integrity. From his early days establishing an underground hip-hop following to achieving mainstream success and branching into diverse artistic endeavors, his impact has been profound. This in-depth article aims to meticulously explore the various facets of Common’s career, offering a thorough and objective account of his contributions.
We’re going to explore the key moments and artistic breakthroughs that have defined Common’s incredible journey. By diving into his early life, musical innovations, important collaborations, and impactful projects, you’ll get a deeper appreciation for the vision and hard work behind one of hip-hop’s most respected artists and a notable Hollywood talent.
1. **Early Life and Influences**Lonnie Rashid Lynn was born on March 13, 1972, at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. His lineage includes a distinguished family history, as he shares his first name with his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, a testament to a deep-rooted family identity. To his closest family and friends, he is known by his middle name, Rashid, highlighting a personal connection separate from his public persona.
Common’s parents, Mahalia Ann Hines and Lonnie Lynn, were influential figures in his early life. His mother was an educator and former principal of John Hope College Preparatory High School, while his father was a former ABA basketball player who later became a youth counselor. Notably, his godfather is basketball player Spencer Haywood, who was a teammate of his father on the Denver Rockets, illustrating a connection to the world of sports and public figures from an early age.
Despite his father leaving the family due to drug and alcohol addictions when Common was young, his father remained active in his life. This ongoing relationship proved beneficial, as his father later helped him secure a job with the Chicago Bulls during his teenage years. Lynn was raised in the Calumet Heights neighborhood and pursued higher education at Florida A&M University (FAMU) for two years under a scholarship, majoring in business administration within the School of Business and Industry, laying a foundational understanding of the professional world.
2. **Career Beginnings (1987-1996)**Common’s journey into rapping commenced in the late 1980s while he was a student at Luther High School South in Chicago. During this period, he formed a rap trio named C.D.R. with two friends, gaining early experience by opening for established acts such as N.W.A and Big Daddy Kane. By 1991, C.D.R. dissolved, marking the beginning of Lynn’s solo career under the stage name Common Sense.
Common first stepped onto the music scene in 1992 with his single “Take It EZ,” after being featured in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype column, and soon after released his debut album, *Can I Borrow a Dollar?*, introducing his distinctive lyrical style. These early works truly laid the groundwork for his later acclaimed successes.
In 1994, the Common Sense band released the album “Resurrection”, which greatly expanded his reputation outside the Chicago music scene. This album has received a strong response among alternative hip-hop and underground hip-hop fans and has sold quite well. “Resurrection” also sparked controversy with the West Coast rap band Westside Connection due to the song “I Used to Love HER”, which criticized the development direction of hip-hop music and led to a fierce dispute. Eventually, due to a lawsuit by a reggae band of the same name, His stage name was shortened to Common. He also contributed to the compilation CD “America Is Dying Slowly (AIDS)” by the Red Hot Organization, which aims to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
3. **One Day It’ll All Make Sense Era (1996-1999)**Common’s third album, *One Day It’ll All Make Sense*, initially slated for an October 1996 release, eventually dropped in September 1997. The album was a significant undertaking, requiring two years to complete, and featured an impressive roster of collaborations with artists such as Lauryn Hill, De La Soul, Q-Tip, Canibus, Black Thought, Chantay Savage, and Questlove, who would later become a fellow member of the Soulquarians collective.
This project notably eschewed “any gangsterism,” a conscious artistic decision made in response to questions surrounding his musical integrity. The album received critical acclaim, further solidifying his artistic standing and leading to a major label contract with MCA Records. The period surrounding the album’s release was also personally transformative for Common.
Shortly after the album’s debut, Common’s first child, daughter Omoye Assata Lynn, was born. This event had a profound spiritual and mental effect on him, prompting significant personal growth that also resonated in his musical evolution. The album’s track “Retrospect for Life,” featuring Lauryn Hill, became a pivotal composition reflecting a male perspective on abortion, with Common later stating, “when I listen to the song now, I think about how precious her (Omoye’s) life is.” The album’s sleeve, decorated with old family photos and a quote from 1 Corinthians 13:11, further illustrates his focus on family ethics and the journey to manhood.
4.After his album *One Day It’ll All Make Sense* did well, Common signed with MCA Records and moved to New York City in 1999, kicking off a period of intense collaboration with the Soulquarians, a group led by Questlove, and he even popped up on The Roots’ *Things Fall Apart*.
In 2000, his fourth album, *Like Water for Chocolate*, was released to widespread critical acclaim. Executive produced by Questlove and featuring significant contributions from J Dilla, the album marked a considerable commercial breakthrough for Common, earning him his first gold record. This success greatly expanded his fanbase among both critics and listeners, propelled by tracks exploring themes “uncommon for a hip-hop record,” such as “Time Travelin’ (A Tribute To Fela),” an homage to Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti. The popular single “The Light” also earned a Grammy Award nomination.
Common and J Dilla, both hailing from the Great Lakes region, established a strong creative chemistry early on, collaborating on numerous projects and even placing the song “Thelonius” on both Slum Village’s *Fantastic, Vol. 2* and *Like Water for Chocolate*. The subsequent album, 2002’s *Electric Circus*, was highly anticipated and praised by many critics for its ambitious vision, fusing hip-hop with pop, rock, electronic, and neo-soul elements. However, its experimental nature divided critics and resulted in modest commercial success, selling under 300,000 copies, and marked his final release with MCA before its absorption into Geffen Records. During this time, Common also guest performed on fellow Soulquarian Bilal’s *Love for Sale* album, a collaboration that extended to *Electric Circus*.
5. **GOOD Music Era (2004-2011)**In early 2004, a significant career shift occurred when Common appeared on fellow Chicagoan Kanye West’s multi-platinum debut album, *The College Dropout*, on the track “Get Em High.” This appearance coincided with the announcement of his signing to West’s then-newfound label, GOOD Music, marking a pivotal moment in his career. West, a longtime admirer of Common, became instrumental in shaping his subsequent musical direction.
His collaboration with the Soulquarians continued on his 2005 album *Be*, which was largely produced by Kanye West with J Dilla also contributing, and the album was a huge success, thanks to West’s production and hits like “The Corner” and “Go.” *Be* went gold, selling about 800,000 copies, and received rave reviews, earning four Grammy nominations, though it also sparked controversy over comments about interracial relationships.
His seventh LP, *Finding Forever*, released on July 31, 2007, continued his successful partnership with Kanye West, alongside contributions from other notable producers. The album featured guest artists such as Dwele, Bilal, and D’Angelo, and debuted at No. 1 on the national Billboard 200 charts. While it was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2008 Grammys, Common secured his second Grammy Award for “Southside,” winning Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group. Common articulated that the album’s title, “Finding Forever,” represented his aspiration for an enduring presence in hip-hop and a lifelong career as an artist. This era also included his eighth album, *Universal Mind Control* (2008), which featured Pharrell and received Grammy nominations, and saw him featured prominently as a narrator on Kid Cudi’s debut album.
6.He launched his own label, Think Common Entertainment, after leaving GOOD Music in 2011, partnering with Warner Bros. Records for his 2011 album *The Dreamer/The Believer*, which was mostly produced by No I.D. The album received a lot of attention, including a famous lyrical back-and-forth with Drake that Common later said was resolved and just part of the hip-hop art form, and he also appeared on the GOOD Music compilation *Cruel Summer* in 2012.
After a relatively quiet 2012, Common announced plans for an EP and a mixtape, and later confirmed his tenth solo studio album, *Nobody’s Smiling*, would be released in early 2014. This album, which was entirely produced by No I.D. and featured artists like Vince Staples and James Fauntleroy, was conceptually inspired by his troubled hometown of Chicago. Common explained, “We came up with this concept ‘nobody’s smiling.’ It was really a thought that came about because of all the violence in Chicago… But it’s really a call to action,” reflecting his deep engagement with social issues. In 2014, he officially signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and No I.D.’s Artium Records for the album’s release.
This prolific period continued with his eleventh studio album, *Black America Again* (2016), released under Def Jam Recordings, which received widespread critical acclaim. The album featured an impressive array of guest appearances, including Stevie Wonder, Bilal, and John Legend, with primary production handled by Karriem Riggins alongside other contributors like Robert Glasper. Further demonstrating his collaborative spirit and musical versatility, Common formed the jazz group August Greene with Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper, releasing an album in 2018. Subsequent solo efforts include *Let Love* (2019), *A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1* (2020), and *A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2* (2021), all largely produced by Karriem Riggins, and *The Auditorium Vol. 1* (2024) with Pete Rock, which garnered a Grammy nomination and millions of streams, highlighting his sustained relevance and creative output.
7. **Awards and Accolades**Common’s exceptional talent and dedication across music, film, and television have earned him a remarkable array of industry’s highest honors. He is a recipient of three Grammy Awards, a testament to his musical prowess and innovation within the hip-hop genre. These accolades underscore the critical appreciation for his artistic contributions and lyrical depth.
Beyond music, his ventures into acting have been equally distinguished. Common holds an Academy Award for Best Original Song, which he received for “Glory,” co-written with John Legend, for the critically acclaimed film *Selma* (2014), where he also co-starred as civil rights leader James Bevel. This achievement solidified his standing as a creative force capable of transcending artistic disciplines.
Further demonstrating his multifaceted talent, he has also been honored with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for his song “Letter to the Free,” released for the Ava DuVernay-directed Netflix documentary *13th* (2017). His impressive collection of awards also includes a Golden Globe Award. More recently, he made his Broadway acting debut in *Between Riverside and Crazy* (2023), a play that won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, further illustrating his diverse artistic impact and success across various entertainment platforms. In May 2019, Florida A&M University (FAMU) recognized his contributions by awarding him an honorary DFA degree after he served as their spring commencement speaker.
8. **Acting Career: Film**Common’s artistic journey extends far beyond the microphone, making a significant impact on the silver screen. His cinematic debut arrived in 2002 with a role in *Brown Sugar*, setting the stage for what would become an extensive filmography. A pivotal early appearance was in the 2006 crime film *Smokin’ Aces*, where he portrayed the villainous Mob enforcer Sir Ivy, quickly showcasing his versatile acting chops alongside a stellar cast including Ryan Reynolds and Alicia Keys.
Common’s acting career also took off, as he shared the screen with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in the 2007 crime thriller *American Gangster*, further establishing his presence in Hollywood. The next year, he jumped into action roles in films like *Wanted*, alongside Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, and *Street Kings* with Keanu Reeves, showcasing his impressive ability to portray diverse characters across different genres with authentic flair.
Common’s film career blossomed, leading to leading roles such as Scott McKnight, a basketball player who falls for his physical therapist, in the 2010 romantic comedy *Just Wright* opposite Queen Latifah. He also tackled a more intense character as John Connor’s lieutenant Barnes in the 2009 sci-fi action film *Terminator Salvation*. His appearances continued with a corrupt cop in *Date Night* (2010), a deployed soldier in *New Year’s Eve* (2011), and an FBI agent in *Now You See Me* (2013), each role adding layers to his evolving acting persona.
Perhaps one of his most impactful film roles came in the 2014 critically acclaimed *Selma*, where he co-starred as the civil rights leader James Bevel, a performance that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. Beyond his acting, he also co-wrote the Oscar-winning song “Glory” for the film, a testament to his dual artistic contributions. He later took on a hitman role in *Run All Night* (2015) and appeared as a gangster in the 2016 DC Extended Universe film *Suicide Squad*, showcasing his range from historical drama to blockbuster action.
Further demonstrating his versatility, Common reunited with Keanu Reeves as professional hitman/bodyguard Cassian in *John Wick: Chapter 2* (2017), delivering a memorable performance in the high-octane action sequel. His lead role opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Eva Vives’s debut feature *All About Nina* (2018) garnered significant critical acclaim, with Variety’s Peter Debruge hailing it as “easily the strongest of the half-dozen supporting roles he’s had this year.” Other notable film appearances include *Hunter Killer* (2018), *The Hate U Give* (2018) as a black police officer grappling with racial injustice, and recent projects like *Fool’s Paradise* (2023) and *Breathe* (2024), continually cementing his status as a distinguished and multifaceted actor.
9. **Acting Career: Television**Parallel to his flourishing film career, Common has also made significant strides in television, gracing both sitcoms and dramatic series with his distinctive presence. His early forays into television included guest appearances on popular UPN sitcoms such as *Girlfriends* in 2003, where he played Omar, a slam poet, and *One on One*, portraying a drama class instructor named Darius. He also made a cameo on the ABC show *Scrubs*, allowing audiences to see his lighter, comedic side.
His expressive poetic talents were regularly showcased on *Def Poetry Jam* between 2003 and 2005, where he was a recurring cast member, performing his powerful verses and connecting with a broader audience through spoken word. These early television experiences provided a foundation for his move into more substantial dramatic roles, highlighting his commitment to exploring various narrative platforms and genres within the entertainment industry.
A major highlight in his television career was his role as Elam Ferguson in AMC’s acclaimed western series *Hell on Wheels* from 2011 to 2014, where he powerfully depicted a formerly enslaved man navigating the challenging post-Civil War American landscape and finding his place in a changing society, truly demonstrating his deep dramatic talent and grasp of historical context.
His television work continued to diversify in subsequent years. In December 2015, he appeared in the NBC TV special *The Wiz Live!* as the Bouncer guarding the Emerald City, showcasing his musical and theatrical versatility. Common has also lent his voice to animated series, notably beginning to voice Kiburi the crocodile in Disney Junior’s *The Lion Guard* in August 2017, endearing him to a younger audience. More recently, since 2023, he has taken on a supporting role in the Apple TV+ science fiction series *Silo*, further demonstrating his adaptability across modern and genre-specific television productions.
10. **Film Production**Beyond his roles in front of the camera, Common has proactively stepped into the realm of film production, aiming to exert greater creative influence and foster compelling storytelling. It was a long-held ambition, as he articulated in a February 2012 interview, that one of his significant career goals was to establish his own film production company. This aspiration came to fruition, marking a new chapter in his multifaceted career.
In October 2015, this ambition materialized when Common signed a significant two-year deal with HBO. This partnership enabled him to launch his own film production company, aptly named Freedom Road Productions. This venture provides him with a platform to develop and bring to life projects that align with his artistic vision and commitment to impactful narratives, offering opportunities to shape stories from their inception.
Further demonstrating his engagement behind the scenes, Common has also contributed his talents as an executive producer. In 2016, he collaborated with Amazon Studios and American Girl, serving as an executive producer for the direct-to-video feature *An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win*. This project underscored his commitment to diverse storytelling and his capacity to shepherd compelling narratives from a production standpoint, reflecting his growing influence in the broader entertainment landscape.
11. **Writing (Authorial Work)**Common’s artistic expression isn’t confined to music and acting; he has also distinguished himself as an author, sharing his insights and personal journey through written works. His deep connection to poetry was evident when he was invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to participate in a poetry reading at the White House on May 11, 2011. During this period, his poetry was notably influenced by the works of Maya Angelou, reflecting a profound engagement with lyrical and literary traditions.
However, this invitation sparked considerable controversy, particularly from the New Jersey State Police and their union, who raised concerns about some of Common’s past lyrical content. Specific references were made to his song “A Song For Assata” about Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army, and a line at another poetry reading, “flyers say ‘free Mumia’ on my freezer,” referencing Mumia Abu-Jamal. Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary at the time, clarified that President Obama opposed these particular lyrics but supported Common’s broader message. Common himself responded to the criticism, stating, “I guess Sarah Palin and Fox News doesn’t like me,” and affirming on Facebook, “The one thing that shouldn’t be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day.” He later discussed the matter candidly with Jon Stewart on *The Daily Show*, demonstrating his willingness to address sensitive topics directly.
In September 2011, Common published his first memoir, *One Day It’ll All Make Sense*, through Atria Books. This deeply personal narrative explored how his close relationship with his mother, Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines, profoundly influenced his life. In a unique collaborative touch, the memoir was partially narrated by his mother, adding an intimate and authentic layer to his reflections on growth, family, and purpose, truly bringing his life story to print.
His journey as an author continued with the release of his second memoir, *Let Love Have The Last Word*, in May 2019. This book delved into even more personal aspects of his life, highlighting his relationship with his daughter Omoye, exploring his romantic relationships, and offering further insights into his bond with his parents. Through this work, Common meticulously explored his struggle to solidify his perspective on the concept of love, providing readers with a candid and thought-provoking examination of his emotional and intellectual development.
12.Beyond his professional achievements, Common’s personal life highlights his strong values and connections, especially as a proud father to his daughter, Omoye, from a previous relationship. Her graduation from Howard Law School in 2022 is a source of great pride for him, underscoring the importance of education within his family.
Common has also had notable romantic relationships, including with comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish from mid-2020 to November 2021. In 2022, while collaborating on the film *Breathe*, he met and subsequently began dating singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. These relationships, like his art, are often under public scrutiny, yet he navigates them with a sense of personal integrity and respect.
His personal beliefs and interests further paint a picture of the man behind the public persona. Common adheres to a vegan lifestyle, reflecting his commitment to health and his advocacy for animal rights. He is a lifelong and ardent fan of Chicago sports teams, specifically the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears, demonstrating a strong connection to his hometown roots. Furthermore, he is a Christian, attending Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, underscoring his spiritual foundation and community ties.
In recognition of his extensive contributions and inspiring journey, Common has also received significant academic honors. In May 2019, Florida A&M University (FAMU) bestowed upon him an honorary DFA degree. This prestigious acknowledgment followed his impactful address as the spring commencement speaker at the university, where he shared wisdom and encouragement with the graduating class, marking a full-circle moment for the former FAMU student.
Common’s broad and diverse career truly embodies the diversity and social responsibility of art, providing a complete picture of an artist committed to growth and positive impact. His journey in music, film, television, writing, and radicalism not only showcases his broad talents, but also demonstrates his steadfast commitment to empowering communities and promoting important dialogue, consolidating his position as an influential and enduring figure in today’s culture.
