As well as music, Common has worked as an actor, on films such as 'Smokin' Aces' (as Sir Ivy) 'American Gangster' (as Turner Lucas), 'Wanted', and 'John Wick: Chapter 2'. He may also be seen in cameo roles in films such as 'Brown Sugar'.
His debut was the 1992 album Can I Borrow A Dollar, but he achieved little critical or commercial success until 1994's Resurrection, an instant classic. He produced several more albums, notably Like Water For Chocolate and the highly experimental Electric Circus, before releasing the Kanye West and J Dilla-produced Be in 2005, which was his first album to receive widespread mainstream appeal and radio playtime.
Common is considered a "cred" artist, which has lead him to collaborations with the likes of De La Soul, Jadakiss, T.I, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Kanye West, Lily Allen, Erykah Badu, and Fort Minor.
The 2007 album Finding Forever was produced mainly by long-time collaborator, Kanye West. Common released his eighth album Universal Mind Control in 2008, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album but lost to the Eminem album Relapse. He released his ninth album The Dreamer/The Believer in 2011. Nobody's Smiling, his tenth album, was released in 2014. The concept of the album was inspired by his troubled hometown of Chicago.
Announcement
Common Lyrics
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Everybody, I'd like to announce
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
Live from the south side, this one, hide your gun
Representing Chi Town to the fullest, raps are bullets
See them rappers? They be duckin'
When Comm be buckin' in the kitchen, fuckin'
On the sink, got my momma a mink
Think Common is the link
Thought the game was extinct
Lady, them jeans is as slim as Shady
Brought them back from the 80's
Now, let's make some babies
Freestyle paid off so Lincoln paid me
Now we can push more whips than slavery
Alex Haley of this rap shit, my roots is deep
You heard the bitch in you, yeah I know what's beef
Let it cook and I pop like grease
You thirsty niggas can't shock my feast, ugh
I still love her, she be needin' the dick
When it comes to hip-hop, it's just me and my bitch
Everybody, I'd like to announce
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
Cause, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
Baby, you're like, "What the-- fuck? There is no other"
Valet crashed my Rolls so quickly I bought another
Sorry, Mr. Williams moved out the building
Spot to the top, 50 feet was the ceiling
(Slow down, son, you're killin' 'em) Well funded it was not gangsta
Came to shitty deals, reminiscing gives me chills
When Puff was with Biggie, Versace on every niggie
The backpacker copped the Porsche and drove through his city
Now, all the little bitties, from ugly to pretty
I was the magician, mesmerize 'em, made 'em listen
My dick is like a blow-pop baby
And it get stiffer than some Botox baby
But show out baby, and show me you gon' act right
And I'll be pedaling backwards like a track bike
She don't know the Casio cost a hundred
It's been two years since I done it, now all the rappers want it
What?
Everybody, I'd like to announce
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
Cause, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
As I sit back, relax with Chicago on my back
Unzip the backpack, pull out a fifth of 'gnac
I probably go to jail but naw, that ain't me
I style crazy and net like Jay Z
The black Kojak "I get money" and want more stacks
The rap photographer, the way the flow snap
Broads say, "Are you a philosopher?"
Yea yea, I'll philosophize on top of ya
Everybody, I'd like to announce
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
Cause, this is hip hop, baby
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
In "Announcement," Common announces his presence as a force to be reckoned with in hip hop. The hook invites listeners to throw their hands up and revel in the genre, which Common is about to take to the tip-top. His verses are his opportunity to showcase his lyrical skill, and they do not disappoint. He asserts himself as a representative of Chicago and compares his raps to bullets. He brags about his sexual prowess and alludes to his freestyle abilities. He also touches on the materialism and consumerism that have become associated with hip hop, referencing his own purchase of a new car and the desire of others to possess what they see him with. The verses all build toward the idea that hip hop is Common's life, and he will continue to push it to its limits.
The song was produced by Don Cannon and Common himself and appears on Common's 2008 album Universal Mind Control. In addition to being a celebration of hip hop and Common's place within it, it was also intended to challenge the stereotypical idea of what rap should sound like. The album as a whole features a more electronic sound than Common's previous work, with hints of genres like techno and house music. While some fans were disappointed with the departure from Common's more traditional sound, he defended his creative choices and argued that hip hop should be open to experimentation and new sounds.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
I'm going to take you to the top of the game
Everybody, I'd like to announce
I want everyone to know
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Get excited and show some love when we're performing
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
This is the true essence of hip hop
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
Let your girl know that tickets are available for our show
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
We'll keep performing until they make us leave
Live from the south side, this one, hide your gun
I'm representing the south side and advocating for non-violence
Lady, them jeans is as slim as Shady
Your jeans are as tight as Eminem's
Freestyle paid off so Lincoln paid me
I got paid for my freestyle and can now afford a Lincoln car
Now we can push more whips than slavery
We can afford more cars than slaves used to work in the fields
My roots is deep
I have a strong connection to my heritage
You heard the bitch in you, yeah I know what's beef
I'm aware of the conflict and aggression in the rap industry
My dick is like a blow-pop baby
My penis is very pleasurable for women
I probably go to jail but naw, that ain't me
Although I live a wild lifestyle, I'm not destined for jail
The rap photographer, the way the flow snap
My rap style is like a photo capturing a moment, snapping into place
Yea yea, I'll philosophize on top of ya
I can get deep and introspective while performing
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LONNIE RASHID(COMMON) LYNN, PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind