Released 10 years ago
Black America Again
Common · 2016
56 min · 15 tracks · contemporary R&B
A contemplative blend of jazz-infused hip-hop and soulful melodies addressing social issues and personal narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black America Again — The title track serves as a powerful manifesto, weaving together themes of resilience, activism, and hope amidst systemic oppression, encapsulating the album's core message.
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Letter to the Free — This track features poignant reflections on incarceration and freedom, underpinned by a moving vocal performance from Bilal, representing the emotional weight of the album.
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Joy and Peace Start here — Opening the album with an uplifting vibe, this song juxtaposes joy against struggle, setting the tone for a complex exploration of Black identity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines thoughtful lyrics with jazz-infused production, making it a significant entry in contemporary R&B.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation, blending jazz elements with hip-hop beats, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Lyrically, the album addresses social issues through personal narratives, often shifting perspectives between introspection and broader commentary.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- reflective moments of social awareness
- dynamic journey with interludes
- soulful exploration of identity
- thought-provoking lyrical depth
- engaging narratives for contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — This album showcases continued artistic vitality and addresses relevant social issues.
- Career context
- By the time 'Black America Again' was released in 2016, Common had established himself as a prominent figure in hip-hop with a career spanning over two decades. This album followed his critically acclaimed project 'Nobody's Smiling' from 2014, showcasing a deeper engagement with contemporary sociopolitical themes, particularly those affecting the Black community.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Q-Tip· Anderson .Paak· Erykah Badu
Tracklist
- 1 Joy and Peace Start here 2:40
- 2 Home 3:31
- 3 Word From Moe Luv (interlude) 0:40
- 4 Black America Again 6:09
- 5 Love Star 5:09
- 6 On a Whim (interlude) 0:41
- 7 Red Wine 4:35
- 8 Pyramids 3:30
- 9 A Moment in the Sun (interlude) 0:51
- 10 Unfamiliar 3:58
- 11 A Bigger Picture Called Free 4:38
- 12 The Day Women Took Over 5:16
- 13 Rain 4:08
- 14 Little Chicago Boy 6:37
- 15 Letter to the Free 4:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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