Biography for
Common More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

13 March 1972, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Birth Name

Lonnie Rashid Lynn

Height

6' 1½" (1.87 m)

Mini Biography

Chicago-bred rapper who, in recent years, has become one of the more prominent voices in hip-hop's new millennium renaissance. Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn in 1972, Common released his first LP, "Can I Borrow A Dollar?", under the Common Sense moniker. Tracks like "Charm's Alarm" and "Breaker 1-9" established him a lyricist with wit, street-smarts, and love for extended similes, while tracks like "Heidi Hoe" would touch on the misogynism that would surface sparingly on future work. In 1994, he released "Resurrection," notable for the smooth, 'Large Professor' produced title cut, as well as "I Used To Love H.E.R.", an ode to hip-hop. This album further increased his underground rep, while giving the hip-hop nation a new solid conscientious voice in a year that was excellent for underground artists (Nas, Jeru Tha Damaja, Digable Planet, et al.) After a name change brought on by a lawsuit, Common reemerged in 1997 with "One Day It'll All Make Sense". With guests ranging from Erykah Badu to Canibus to De La Soul and production help from mainstays No I.D. and Dug Infinite, the album was had a distinctly underground flair. His big mainstream breakthrough album, however, was yet to come... After an appearance on The Roots smash 1999 album, "Things Fall Apart," Common moved to MCA Records. He soon was in the studio collaborating with the Okayplayer collective, and with help from the forward-thinking production troupe 'Soulquarians' (Ahmir-Khalib Thompson(aka ?uestlove), 'James 'Jay Dee' Yancey' , James Poyser, et al) released his fourth album, "Like Water For Chocolate" in the spring of 2000. With its varied sonic plateau (Afrobeat, funk, and old-school soul), it was much different from previous outings. But on the strength of tracks like the 'DJ Premier' produced banger "The 6th Sense", the album was a success, becoming a worthy addition to "The Next Movement." In 2003, Common released "Electric Circus", which ups the ante even further. The album, a hip-hop/funk/soul/rock/psychedelia hybrid, polarizes hip-hop fans like no other album has in recent memory. Common has also chosen to redefine himself, swearing off the alcohol, marijuana, and fornication that he had once indulged in. Now in his early 30s, Common strives to remain a relevant voice in an art form that is on life support.

IMDb Mini Biography By: N. Cognito

Trivia

Had a public feud with Ice Cube in the late 90s, epitomized in the song "The Bitch In Yoo.".

Was known as Common Sense prior to 1995, when a ska band with that name sued him, forcing him to shorten his name.

Is a vegetarian.

He was engaged to singer Erykah Badu.

Is signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label.

Has a daughter.

Personal Quotes

[Talking about Britney Spears comeback concert performance]: I think it didn't seem like she wanted to be there. There wasn't any spark, it didn't feel like life was there.

Where Are They Now

(March 2006) Working on 7th album 'Finding Forever' which is due for release in 2007.

(September 2006) Filming American Gangster (2007) with co-stars Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in New York City.

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