Is Be a good place to start with Common?

Yes, Be is recommended as a starting point for new Common listeners. A vibrant blend of conscious lyrics and soulful instrumentation that captures the essence of urban life and personal introspection. Released on May 23, 2005, Be marked a significant moment in Common's career as his sixth studio album. Following the commercial success of Like Water for Chocolate, this record reinforced his status as a leading voice in conscious hip-hop while also showcasing a more mature sound influenced by collaborations with producers Kanye West and J Dilla.

Be works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, gradual builds and payoffs and introspective listening sessions.

How many songs are on Be?

Be has 11 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Be

Common · 2005

42 min · 11 tracks · contemporary R&B

A vibrant blend of conscious lyrics and soulful instrumentation that captures the essence of urban life and personal introspection.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Corner Start here — This track brilliantly encapsulates the struggles and resilience of urban life, featuring vivid storytelling backed by a hauntingly soulful beat.
→
GO! — An energetic anthem celebrating ambition and self-assertion, 'GO!' stands out for its infectious hook and upbeat production, making it a fan favorite.
→
Love Is… — Offering a reflective take on love and relationships, this track showcases Common's lyrical prowess intertwined with lush instrumentation that elevates its emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends conscious lyrics with soulful production, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

What we noticed

The first track serves as a brief intro, setting a reflective tone before the album transitions into more upbeat tracks like 'The Corner' and 'GO!'.
Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, blending live instrumentation with samples to create a rich sonic landscape.
The album includes interludes that connect themes of urban life and personal introspection, enhancing the narrative flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
gradual builds and payoffs
introspective listening sessions
thoughtful, reflective moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Reinforced Common's status and received significant acclaim, broadening his audience.
Moods: Introspective· Uplifting
Career context: Released on May 23, 2005, Be marked a significant moment in Common's career as his sixth studio album. Following the commercial success of Like Water for Chocolate, this record reinforced his status as a leading voice in conscious hip-hop while also showcasing a more mature sound influenced by collaborations with producers Kanye West and J Dilla.
Stylistic neighbors: Q-Tip· Anderson .Paak· Erykah Badu

New to Common? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

They Say

The narrative shifts from personal reflection to social commentary, addressing perceptions of identity and success in a nuanced way.

By weaving personal experiences into broader societal issues, this moment highlights Common's ability to connect individual stories to larger themes of race and culture.