Rating: NNNN
In the last few years, Chicago-bred, New York-based rapper Common’s acting career has become his main hustle. His latest – entirely produced by long-time collaborator No I.D. – reveals an enlivened emcee, the same forceful voice who gave us classic albums such as Be and Like Water For Chocolate.
On Nobody’s Smiling, a reference to the Chi’s gang violence epidemic, Common goes out of his way to incorporate that city’s new era of street rappers. The Neighborhood features 20-year-old gravel-voiced emcee Lil Herb going bar for bar with the vet, offering perspective from a fearful young man trapped by his surroundings, while on Hustle Harder, Dreezy’s arrogantly detached flow shines. On No Fear, Common inhabits the voice of an enraged Chicago drug dealer, deftly avoiding overt preachiness.
On the closer, Rewind That, the artist examines the forces that have pulled him away from Chicago. His voice sounds mournful and troubled – like a man still trying to reconcile the choices that brought him away from a home he so fiercely wants to protect.
Top track: The Neighborhood
