Common

Photo: Steven Pisano - Feast of Music from New York City, United States · CC BY 2.0

Common

Common’s music pulses with a steady groove, employing rhythmic cadences and layered textures that create an immersive listening experience.

alternative hip-hop · contemporary R&B · hip-hop · rapping

United States
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The song

“I Used to Love H.E.R.”

Immediate hook with a narrative style that introduces Common's lyrical depth and storytelling approach effectively.

About Common

Common matters as a transformative figure in the landscape of hip-hop and R&B, championing lyrical depth and social consciousness.
His work has reshaped expectations around what it means to be a mainstream artist, merging personal storytelling with broader societal themes, encouraging listeners to engage with both their own narratives and the world at large. His approach...
His work has reshaped expectations around what it means to be a mainstream artist, merging personal storytelling with broader societal themes, encouraging listeners to engage with both their own narratives and the world at large. His approach combines introspection with a sense of urgency, often using rich, soulful instrumentation that complements his thoughtful lyrics. By collaborating with a diverse array of producers and musicians, Common creates soundscapes that elevate his messages while remaining accessible. This innovative blend allows him to inhabit multiple sonic realms without sacrificing the authenticity of his voice. Common’s songwriting frequently explores themes of identity, love, and social justice, delivered through a lens of sincerity that invites reflection. His tone balances poignant storytelling with moments of vulnerability, often employing a conversational style that makes his messages resonate deeply. This fusion of honesty and artistry embodies both personal experience and collective struggle.

16 studio albums· 29 total releases· 2 decades· United States

Full discography

Common's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

29 releases • 16 albums • 1992–2021
Type:

Singles ()

Glory album by Common

Glory

2014

Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now album by Common

Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now

2007

The People album by Common

The People

2007

Testify album by Common

Testify

2005

While I'm Dancin' album by Common

While I'm Dancin'

2002

The Light album by Common

The Light

2000

The Bitch in Yoo album by Common

The Bitch in Yoo

1996

Resurrection album by Common

Resurrection

1995

I Used to Love H.E.R. album by Common

I Used to Love H.E.R.

1994

Soul by the Pound album by Common

Soul by the Pound

1993

Breaker 1/9 album by Common

Breaker 1/9

1993

Take It EZ album by Common

Take It EZ

1992

Panthers album by Common

Panthers

No releases match the current filters.

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

  1. 1

    "A Penny for My Thoughts" — from Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  2. 2

    "Time Travelin’ (A Tribute to Fela)" — from Like Water for Chocolate (2000)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  3. 3

    "Ferris Wheel" — from Electric Circus (2002)

    establishes the sonic palette early

  4. 4

    "The Corner" — from Be (2005)

    accessible entry with immediate hook

Continue your journey

If you liked Common, start with Erykah Badu

A guided entry point we think you'll like.