VIDEO: Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell

It feels like actually came out about a month ago, but it didn't. Pharrell takes Common into Michael/Janet future land. It's doper than I'd think it would be on paper.

VIDEO: Rhymefest - Stolen

Rhymefest delivers some powerfully conscious lyrics over the No ID produced 'Stolen', which lingers until it ends in a tensed unexpected trail-off. Off of El Che. Can we get a remix with Common please?



Update: posted official youtube version per director's request.

LISTEN: Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell

DOWNLOAD Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell (MP3)

Common does a 180 from his work with Kanye West yet still knows how to alienate the streets. Pharrell pays homage to Africa Bambaataa. Off of Invincible Summer, with tags by DJ Skee.

LISTEN: Q-Tip - Midnight '08 (Prod. by Cool & Dre)

DOWNLOAD Q-Tip - Midnight '08 (Prod. by Cool & Dre) (MP3)

Part of the alcoholic remixes and I feel any moment Rick Ross is about to drop a verse right in the middle of this track.


Previously:
KRS One/DJ Premier - 'Criminal Minded '08' (download)
Common/Just Blaze - 'The Light '08 (It's Love)' (download)

LISTEN: Common - The Light '08 (It's Love) (Prod. by Just Blaze)

DOWNLOAD Common - The Light '08 (It's Love) (Prod. by Just Blaze) (MP3)

I am not a fan of corporate alcohol sponsoring our favorite art form but I do enjoy this Just Blaze produced remake of Common's 'The Light'. More 'Why You Hate The Game' than Public Service Anouncement, this goes more towards the soulful tip.

VIDEO: Behind-The-Scenes @ Guru's New Video

Another first on SDSU. Our buddy Neilson sent over this great behind-the-scenes footage from Guru and Solar's video shoot for 'Jazzy Ways' with that excellently employed Slick Rick sample. Off of Guru's Jazzmatazz: The Timebomb/Back To The Future Mixtape which I posted for download here. Well worth the download with features by Common, Damian Marley, Lord Tariq, Common, Zion I, Doo Wop, Tony Touch, Aceyalone, Nature, K-Born, High Power, Mr. Lif, and more.

VIDEO: Will.i.am's Obama Song ft. John Legend, Common etc.

Will.i.am recorded a song for Obama that takes a speech of his and marries it with vocals of tons of people including John Legend, Common, Herbie Hancock, my childhood crush Tanyana Ali, my other favorite Scarlett Johansson, and more. Sure beats Songs About Girls.

Via DailySwarm.

LISTEN: Guru - Knowledge ft. Lord Tariq + Jazzmatazz The Timebomb (Full Mixtape)

DOWNLOAD Guru - Knowledge ft. Lord Tariq (MP3
DOWNLOAD Guru - State of Clarity ft. Common (MP3
DOWNLOAD Guru - The Timebomb (Back To The Future) (Full Mixtape) (MP3)

Guru is about to come back with the fourth volume of his Jazzmatazz series soon (watch the first video for 'I'm Jazzy' featuring Slum Village). In the meantime there's the fantastic The Timebomb (Back To The Future) mixtape to carry you over. Download the whole thing above including stand out tracks 'Knowledge' featuring Lord Tariq and 'State of Clarity' featuring Common. You can listen also to the latter in the new SDSU music player in the column next to this one. You will get a big smile on your face when that bass line rolls in. Tracklist below. Props to Shake for the audio.

Guru's Jazzmatazz - The Timebomb (Back to the Future)
01 Intro (Don Gurizzy)
02 Knowledge ft. Lord Tariq
03 7 Grand Ya'll ft. Solar
04 For Ya Mind ft. Zion I
05 Peace! ft. K-Born, Highpower & Solar
06 State of Clarity ft. Common (Solar Remix)
07 Who Got It On Lock ft. Doo Wop
08 B-Boy Kamikaze ft. Tony Touch & Doo Wop (Diaz Brothers)
09 Too Slice ft. Yungun
10 So What It Do Now ft. Aceyalone
11 We Got That ft. Nature & Solar
12 Jazzy Wayz (7 Grand Exclusive)
13 Stand Up (Some Things'll Never Change) (Reggae Mix) ft. Damian Marley
14 Hot Like That ft. Medinah
15 No Need for Stress
16 Back to the Future ft. Caron Wheeler & C.Knowledge (Digable)
17 Assasino ft. Young Pablo
18 The Game Needs Me ft. Blue Scholars & Common Market
19 Feed the Hungry (Solar Remix)
20 Can't Stop the Movement (7 Grand) ft. Ms. Camille

VIDEO: Common Rapping In Church

I had written about this before, Common rapping during the New Year's mass in a Chicago, and now there's video footage that was unearthed.

Via Eskay, via YBF.

NEWS: Common Rapped In Church For New Years Eve

The Chicagoist reports that Common gave an impromptu performance at the Trinity United Church of Christ during a mass. Sounds pretty amazing.

[...]So now we have a multi generational mass of Black people in front of the altar, all doing the Electric Slide (in perfect formation, may I add; some stereotypes are true). Pastor Wright in the meantime is addressing someone off to the right of the dais; we hear him say,"You wanna come up and freestyle?" Then in his best cool Don Cornelius mack, Pastor Wright says, "Now let's hear from our member…COMMON!" You heard me. Every congregant under the age of 30 simultaneously hollered at the top of their lungs, and bum-rushed the altar. Common, yes THE Common, also a Trinity member (what did I tell you?) takes the mike from Wright, and launches into a 3-5 minute freestyle rap, blending in themes from the sermon Wright had just delivered, plus a bonus plug for fellow parishioner Barack Obama (which of course prompted a huge cheer from the congregation). Okay, picture it, y'all: Common is in the pulpit rapping; the choir and musicians are still jamming; Pastor Otis Moss and Associate Pastor Rev. Reggie Williams are on the dais jumping around in a circle with their legs hooked a la Kid & Play; the area in front of the altar and pulpit is packed with kids, teens and adults dancing and pumping their fists in time to the music like it's a rap show at the Riviera or something. (I was still in my pew, but on my feet, pumping my fist, yelling YO! YO! YO!) When I finally checked my watch, it was 12:30, but the party was still going when I gathered my coat and finally eased out. (Source)

VIDEO: Common - Testify

This was a short 9 minute movie to accompany Common's 2005 album BE. Courtesy of Street Knowledge Media.

LISTEN: Cause - The People (Remix)

DOWNLOAD Cause - The People RMX (MP3)


A SitDownStandUp exclusive! First Cause killed the 50 Cent Ayo Technology instrumental, then the Kanye West Stronger instrumental, and now he takes down Common's 'The People'. Perhaps a good reminder to purchase those tickets for the December 6th Stand Up! show in the Lower East Side of New York curated by OhWord.com and SitDownStandUp.com that will feature the kid Cause.

VIDEO: Common - I Want You

Alicia Keys and Kanye West co-star in the new Common video for 'I Want You'. That scene at the end of Ms. Keys walking off...dreamy.

LISTEN: Royce 5'9" - Promise Land (Prod. by Nottz)

DOWNLOAD Royce 5'9" - Promise Land (Prod. by Nottz) (MP3)


Royce 5'9" interpolates a Common lyric, preceded by the surgically precise line "Com found a new Primo, I've got the real Primo." At the end he loops back and makes sure no one misunderstood with: "This time I hope a n*gga don't think I'm trying to diss Com."

LISTEN: Common vs. Kanye West Battle (1996)

DOWNLOAD Common vs. Kanye West Battle (1996) (MP3)


Kanye West just shared with the world this 1996 battle with Common. I can't believe 1996 is 11 years ago now.

VIDEO: Common Vs. Papoose

Watch the difference btween..

A focused MC using every word with purpose...


..and an unfocused MC warbling.

NEWS: Q-Tip Speaks On New Album

DOWNLOAD Q-Tip - Work It Out (MP3)

Q-Tip is set to release The Renaissance on Universal February 12th. Lead single, he criticizes ring tones, above.


"On the new album, it's got more of a band feel," says the 37-year-old rapper. "In hip-hop, the most important thing is the drums, and my drummer got the chops. So sonically, it's all there, man. It kinda sounds like a dusty, like the music could be a sample." Full interview at BaltimoreSun.

Related: Q-Tip is also planning a collaborative album with Common. They are also playing a show together October 10th at Nokia Theatre in NYC.

VIDEO: Common Performing In Poland

Check out Common's travel journal all the way from Poland. Hip Hop seems to be getting stronger in other parts of the world even as it's contracting at home.

VIDEO: Common Drivin' Me Wild ft Lily Allen

The.....internet...is..one.....big..echoooooo...chamberrrrr

Great video, great song, great many hipster and pop culture references.
Update: replace with newer version with extra special effects.

Common - Drivin' Me Wild ft Lily Allen

Common & Lily Allen Photos

Common's video for 'Driving Me Wild' features Lily Allen. Eskay already had a few screencaps a few days ago. Here's a few more. The video premieres on MTV (they play music videos??!?) August 27th.