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.
Blak Majik
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh that boy he radical
Talk that money talk empathetical
Who in the game had the baddest hoes
Niggas seen Badu's ass and said "I seen what you was on"
Home grown with no home phone
From the city of wind nigga, win or go home
Make a dome from a brick and a pocket full of stones
Hit them cones, clips and crones
I don't play away games, I got hitters at home
I'm a don like six in the morn'
Me and Muhammad speak in similar tones
Go hard like pyramid stones
Stand the test of time cross the burning sands
With aggressive rhymes, I'm blessed to rhyme
I invest in time
Like Superman, stick out my chest and shine, I'm
Blak Majik
Yeah yeah, I'm black, I'm magical
I ride fun facts that's actual
Keep it one hunnid that's natural
To get them new blue hunnid niggas strapped with flow
Shout out to black and DC make it capital
I done made enough, I don't have to rap no more
Tell the truth, that ain't what I'm rapping fo'
Got a whole lot so we can have some mo'
So rosey go to red diamond make 'em clap some more
Clap clap, home of the original gang bangers
Gun clappers, no lackers, rack stackers
Movie, we are black actors
Makin' somethin' out of nothin' blak majik
What I do, I own like magic
Status of the livest and established
Girl with the fattest, I'm givin' you the gladdest
Like you ever had this magic
Neewteb ni tsixe I ereh ton ma I
Maerd ruoy ni evah uoy suoicsnoc eht ma I
I am the matter that cannot be seen
I am the conscious you have in your dream
Do not be scared of my dark energy
I am not here I exist in between
Yeah that's me I'm magical
I'm black I'm strapped with magic bro
I'm nothing you have had before
I'm everything but nothing more
Blak Majik
The song "Blak Majik" by Common is a representation of his own greatness and the power of his black heritage. Common reflects on his journey from a young boy growing up in Chicago to an established artist. He ponders on his status as a successful black man in a predominantly white industry and how this "Black magic" has helped him transcend stereotypes and become the successful rapper he is today.
The opening lyrics, "Ooh that boy he radical, Talk that money talk empathetical," points to the rapper's confidence, flamboyance, and sharp business sense. Common continues to detail his upbringing and the challenges he faced in his early life. He reveals that he is from the "city of wind," a reference to Chicago, and that growing up, he had to be tough to make it in that environment. He talks about making a home out of nothing and hustling to get where he is now.
Common then explains that he has made enough money to retire from the rap game, but he is not doing it any time soon. He acknowledges that he is a black artist and representative of his people in a predominantly white industry. Common uses "Blak Majik" to show that his success as a black man in the Hip-hop world is an act of magic that requires him to speak for his community and elevate those around him.
Overall, "Blak Majik" is a celebration of blackness, black excellence, and a reminder that the culture that created Hip-hop is magical and deserves respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh that boy he radical
This boy is different and stands out from others
Talk that money talk empathetical
He speaks about money in a way that people can feel
Who in the game had the baddest hoes
Who in this industry had the best women?
Niggas seen Badu's ass and said "I seen what you was on"
People saw what he was doing with Erykah Badu
Home grown with no home phone
He comes from Chicago but never had a home phone
From the city of wind nigga, win or go home
Chicago is a city that can be hard to survive in
It's the Chi bullshit I'm on
He's talking about Chicago's problems
Make a dome from a brick and a pocket full of stones
He can build something great with very little
Hit them cones, clips and crones
He's going hard and using everything he's got
I don't play away games, I got hitters at home
He doesn't leave his city and has people to back him up
I'm a don like six in the morn'
He's a boss, the same as at 6am
Me and Muhammad speak in similar tones
He's like Muhammad Ali in the way he talks
Go hard like pyramid stones
He's tough and will stay strong despite struggles
Stand the test of time cross the burning sands
He will survive anything and keep going
With aggressive rhymes, I'm blessed to rhyme
His rhymes are powerful and he's thankful for them
I invest in time
He spends a lot of time on his craft
Like Superman, stick out my chest and shine, I'm
He feels like Superman and exudes confidence
Yeah yeah, I'm black, I'm magical
He's black and has a unique quality about him
I ride fun facts that's actual
His rhymes are truthful and educational
Keep it one hunnid that's natural
Being honest is easy for him
To get them new blue hunnid niggas strapped with flow
He wants to help others succeed and reach their potential with his music
Shout out to black and DC make it capital
He acknowledges Washington DC as a place of importance for black people
I done made enough, I don't have to rap no more
He's made a lot of money and doesn't need to rap anymore
Tell the truth, that ain't what I'm rapping fo'
He's not just rapping for money, he's doing it for a deeper reason
Got a whole lot so we can have some mo'
He has a lot and wants to share it
So rosey go to red diamond make 'em clap some more
He wants his music to be so good, people can't help but clap
Clap clap, home of the original gang bangers
Chicago has a history of gang violence
Gun clappers, no lackers, rack stackers
People in Chicago carry guns and stack up money
Movie, we are black actors
Their lives can feel like a movie sometimes because of the danger and drama that comes with their lifestyle
Makin' somethin' out of nothin' blak majik
They are able to make something great out of a tough situation
What I do, I own like magic
He's in control of his life
Status of the livest and established
He's successful and well-respected
Girl with the fattest, I'm givin' you the gladdest
He's happy and excited to be with someone he's attracted to
Like you ever had this magic
He's referring to himself as something special, something someone has never experienced before
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ERNEST WILSON, LONNIE LYNN, JHENE AIKO CHILOMBO, JAMES POYSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind