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.
Ghetto Heaven Part 2
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[D'Angelo]
hmmmmm..., doo doooo, doo doooo, yeah..., yeah..., oooh
Know I love my baby, My baby loves me
Layin in some heaven, need a little company
Let's go into a heaven, time to get some Geto Heaven
Geto...
[Verse 1]
Searchin for a love, throughout the ghetto
Young girls is thick, righteousness is narrow
I got my third, I want the sparrow
Want my peoples straight and rock sweet apparrel
The mother of my child, we not together
Baby it's your back, I got forever
As the weather, talks to us
Him rockin the Holy Spirit walks through us
The blunted eyes of the youth search for a guide
A thug is a lost man in disguise
The rise and fall, of a nation, even when the buildings tumble
I still stand tall, I walk through the valley, wit a life preserver
Feelin at times, that I might just murder
Yo but that aint what I was sent for
I want folks to say his life it meant more
Than ?any ca, any ba ca? any broad
He found Geto Heaven in himself and God
[D'Angelo]
Geto Heaven...
Standin in some Geto Heaven
Geto Heaven...
Standin in some Geto Heaven
Geto...
[Verse 2]
Love, your happiness don't begin wit a man
Strong woman, why should you depend on a man
I understand you want a man that's resourceful
If he pay your bills, he feel like he bought you
Talkin to a friend, about what love is
Her man didn't love her, cuz he didn't love his
Hugged her from afar, said what I felt
You never find a man, till you find yourself
Time helps mistakes, you can learn from
Cuz one man fucked up men you shouldn't turn from
You want a certain type of guy, gotta reach a certain point too
At the destination, a king will annoint you
Goin through the storm, many bodies stay warm
That relationship died, for you to be born, you worth more
Than anything you could cop in a store
For you to grow he had to go so what you stoppin him for
Not even I could ignore bein alone it's hard
Find heaven in yourself and God
[D'Angelo]
I know I love my baby
My baby loves me
I'm layin in some heaven, need a little company, yeah
It's twenty four seven, time to get some Geto Heaven
Time to get some Geto Heaven
Geto Heaven, Geto Heaven
It's time to get some Geto Heaven
Time to get some Geto Heaven, ohhhhhh...
[Verse 3]
This music is so much bigger than me
As far as happy, yo it's like a trigger to me
Dealin with crab rappers, and groupie broads
Record execs, at times it do be hard
But to choose words, and be heard across waters
Doin something you like to support daughters
Keepin your guys who collectin court orders
Conveyin messages that the ancestors brought us
Thought of things to say to become the end thing for the day
Somehow, that didn't seem the way for me to make it
Music is a gift that is sacred
I hope you didn't use it hopin you could grow to it
Whether servin or a surgeon, you gon go through it
Can't imagine goin through it, without soul music
It's like Donnie Hath' helped me see Lonnie's path
On my behalf, let's take whole steps to Imhotep
And show depth, as we make people nod
Find heaven in this music and God
Find heaven in this music and God
Find heaven in this music and God
[D'Angelo]
Geto Heaven
Geto Heaven
Geto Heaven, yeah, yeah
Geto Heaven, my baby
Geto Heaven, my baby
Geto Heaven, my baby
Geto Heaven, my baby
Geto Heaven, my baby...
In Common’s song Geto Heaven Part Two, the lyrics paint a picture of the struggles of people living in the ghetto as they strive to find love and happiness in life. The first verse touches on the challenges faced by the youth in the ghetto, with many looking for a guide to help them navigate through difficult times. It also highlights the issue of young men turning to thug life as a disguise for their lost and struggling identities. However, the verse ends on a positive note, indicating that, with the Holy Spirit guiding them, the inhabitants of the ghetto can still stand tall amidst the rubble of fallen buildings.
The second verse contains an empowering message to women, specifically focused on self-love and empowerment. The lyrics suggest that happiness does not depend on finding and satisfying a man, but rather on a woman’s own strength and resourcefulness. In particular, the song urges women to become self-sufficient and wait for a man who will support them rather than depend on them financially. The verse also encourages women to learn from past experiences with men and use them to grow into better versions of themselves.
Overall, the song sends a message of hope to those enduring difficult circumstances in the ghetto, urging them to find happiness within themselves and their faith in God.
Line by Line Meaning
Searchin for a love, throughout the ghetto
Looking for love in a difficult place and among a diverse group of people
Young girls is thick, righteousness is narrow
There are many physically attractive women in the ghetto but finding someone of good moral character is difficult
I got my third, I want the sparrow
I have achieved some level of success, but I still want more
Want my peoples straight and rock sweet apparrel
I want my community to have better opportunities and more fashionable clothing
The mother of my child, we not together
The mother of my child and I are not currently in a relationship
Baby it's your back, I got forever
I will always support the mother of my child
As the weather, talks to us
Suggesting that the environment/weather can have a profound impact on people’s lives and feelings
Him rockin the Holy Spirit walks through us
The presence of God is felt through a religious figure
The blunted eyes of the youth search for a guide
The young people are misguided due to drug addiction
A thug is a lost man in disguise
A gangster may seem confident and tough but is actually lost
The rise and fall, of a nation, even when the buildings tumble
The nation and its people have suffered through difficulties, such as natural disasters and violence
I still stand tall, I walk through the valley, wit a life preserver
Despite difficulties, I remain strong and optimistic
Feelin at times, that I might just murder
Feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions
Yo but that aint what I was sent for
I was sent for a greater purpose
I want folks to say his life it meant more
I want to be remembered for making a positive impact in the world
Than ?any ca, any ba ca? any broad
Fame or material possessions do not define my worth
He found Geto Heaven in himself and God
Through faith and self-awareness, he found happiness, despite living in the ghetto
Love, your happiness don't begin wit a man
You do not need a man to be happy
Strong woman, why should you depend on a man
Women should be independent and not rely on men for happiness
If he pay your bills, he feel like he bought you
If a man pays your bills, he may feel entitled to control you
Talkin to a friend, about what love is
Discussing the meaning of love with a friend
Goin through the storm, many bodies stay warm
During difficult times, people may come together for comfort and support
That relationship died, for you to be born, you worth more
Ending a toxic relationship can be painful, but it is necessary for personal growth and finding self-worth
Than anything you could cop in a store
Material possessions are not as valuable as self-love and respect
Find heaven in yourself and God
Happiness can be found within oneself and through faith in God
This music is so much bigger than me
The importance of music is greater than the individual artist creating it
As far as happy, yo it's like a trigger to me
Music has a profound effect on the artist's happiness
Dealin with crab rappers, and groupie broads
Dealing with negative people and sensationalized relationships
Record execs, at times it do be hard
Working with record executives can be challenging
But to choose words, and be heard across waters
Using music to communicate a message across the globe
Doin something you like to support daughters
Creating music to provide for one's family
Conveyin messages that the ancestors brought us
Honoring the messages passed down from ancestors through music
Music is a gift that is sacred
Music should be valued and treated respectfully
Whether servin or a surgeon, you gon go through it
Life is difficult no matter what profession one chooses
It's like Donnie Hath' helped me see Lonnie's path
Being inspired by other musicians and their style
On my behalf, let's take whole steps to Imhotep
Working together to honor and preserve cultural history
And show depth, as we make people nod
Creating music that is both meaningful and enjoyable
Find heaven in this music and God
Music can bring a sense of happiness and fulfillment, along with faith in God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL D'ANGELO ARCHER, PETER LORD, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, JAMES JASON POYSER, VERNON SMITH, SANDRA KAY ST. VICTOR, AHMIR K. THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@prettyme8701
Love, your happiness don't begin with a man
Strong woman, why should you depend on a man
I understand you want a man that's resourceful
If he pay your bills, he feel like he bought you
Talking to a friend, about what love is
Her man didn't love her, cause he didn't love his
Hugged her from afar, said what I felt
You never find a man, till you find yourself
Time helps mistakes, you can learn from
Cause one man fucked up men you shouldn't turn from
You want a certain type of guy, gotta reach a certain point too
At the destination, a king will anoint you
Going through the storm, anybody seems warm
That relationship died, for you to be born, you worth more
Than anything you could cop in a store
For you to grow he had to go so what you stopping him for?
Not even I could ignore being alone it's hard
Find heaven in yourself and God
@farrellcityking1
Song has a cleansing factor to it. Something you can feel deep inside your soul.
@purplee333
Any combination of Common & D'Angelo or Common & Dilla is bound to be good vibes. Even better when it's all three of them in one!! They make quite the trio ---- musical bliss.
@CamiloGonzalez81
Let us not forget about Questlove on drums and Pino Palladino on bass -- pure magic.
@xolilemahlangu9344
Don't forget James Poyser on keys !
@mattblacksoul1
I've been with this song on my mind for years and FINALLY I FOUND IT AGAIN!!! I'M SO HAPPY I'M ABOUT TO CRY! HAHAHA
@PORTTOWNREP
Common + Questlove=brilliance. One of the deepest hip hop songs ever.
@antonifobbs
This song got me through a lot of days during my college years. Now a Deacon, it was like my gospel for that time. Common is still teaching, still leading in true hip hop. Can't get enough. Peace and blessings.
@Caeolian87
This is therapy for me. This is timeless beautiful music. I Love this Hip Hop Music man.
@tajmoultrie3045
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG. D'ANGELO ON THE CHORUS AND COMMON SPITTING THEM REAL LYRICS. CLASSIC TRACK NOT RECOGNIZED ENOUGH
@sweetzbaby1
Find heaven in myself and God 👏🏿.What I needed to hear right now 👏🏿👊🏿common and dangelo=🌺🔊