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
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 the song Announcement, Common announces his presence in the hip-hop scene and declares that he is going to take his listeners to the "tip-top." The song features Pharrell Williams and together, they produce a high-energy track that is both catchy and engaging. The first verse talks about Common's roots in Chicago and how he represents his hometown. He also references his sexual exploits and boasts about his success in the industry.
Pharrell Williams dominates the second verse, where he brags about his wealth and success. He mentions how quickly he replaced his crashed car, reminisces about the golden days of hip-hop with Puff Daddy and Biggie Smalls, and compares his penis to a blow-pop. The song ends with Common rapping about his love for Chicago and his willingness to climb up the ranks of the industry.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the hip-hop lifestyle, with references to money, sex, and success. Both Common and Pharrell Williams showcase their lyrical ability and create a high-energy track that is sure to get listeners hyped up.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm finna take you to the tip-top, baby
I'm going to take you to the top, baby.
Everybody, I'd like to announce
Listen up everyone, I have an announcement to make.
Throw your hands up when we in the house
Raise your hands in the air when we're in the building.
Yeah, this is hip hop, baby
This is the genre of music we're making, baby.
And tell your girl that the tickets is out
Let your girl know that the tickets are available.
And we gonna do this 'til they kickin' us out
We're going to keep doing this until we're forced to leave.
Live from the south side, this one, hide your gun
I'm broadcasting from the south side, where you need to hide your weapons.
Representing Chi Town to the fullest, raps are bullets
I'm representing Chicago to the fullest and my rhymes are like bullets.
Lady, them jeans is as slim as Shady
Hey lady, your jeans are as slim as Eminem's.
I still love her, she be needin' the dick
I still love rapping and people still want to hear me.
Baby, you're like, "What the-- fuck? There is no other"
Baby, you're like, "What the... there's no one else like us."
Valet crashed my Rolls so quickly I bought another
My Rolls Royce was crashed by a valet, but I bought another one quickly.
Sorry, Mr. Williams moved out the building
Pharrell Williams is no longer here.
As I sit back, relax with Chicago on my back
I'm sitting back and relaxing while representing Chicago.
I probably go to jail but naw, that ain't me
I might end up in jail, but that's not who I am.
The black Kojak "I get money" and want more stacks
I'm the black version of Kojak, making money and wanting more.
Broads say, "Are you a philosopher?"
Women ask if I'm a philosopher.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID(COMMON) LYNN, PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind