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.
Little Chicago Boy
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the story of a boy named Lonnie Lynn
As I said it, the spirits here whip me
He was raised in the belly of the city
Chicago
Discovered by du Sable
A Black Frenchman
That I had to mention
47th and Michigan, lackin' a little discipline
Grandma Mable did the best she could
You know how young niggas want a testy hood
Yes he stood, taller than most Black boys
One of the best ballers out of Illinois
College in Ohio, this is like his bio
Talks that we had, man, they was never idle
He talked about readin' the Quran and the Bible
He talked how he smoked dope and sold it for survival
He talked about the ancestors, in our lives they're vital
He said y'all niggas love the bang 'cause you tribal
Spiral of life, Chicago to Denver
Anywhere he went, of attention, he's the center
6'9", big heart, big mind
He he spent his whole life tryin' to be big time
He did in a way, he made to the ABA
And the things he say on my record
When I was a shawty, he bought me "The Message"
It was his messages in life I would step with
Didn't see him much, spirits are connected
Father creates it, the son can reflect it
His perspective: sometimes seemed crazy
His perspective: sometimes seemed brilliant
His perspective: somehow it shaped me
His perspective: undoubted I feel it
He'd walk around in them Air Jordans I gave him
I said, "Pops, them from Mike, man, you better save 'em"
The fight that he had with cancer was a brave one
Took Dr. Sebi's herbs instead of medication
Breathing heavy, he talked reparations
He said, "Son, we live through our generations"
Offspring, coughing, Gene Ammons was playing
In the background, he was talking, I was praying
Our Father, take care of my father
As far as he went, may I go farther
May our dreams and legacies live through our children
Though I can't touch him, I can still feel him
The song "Little Chicago Boy" by Common featuring Tasha Cobbs is a tribute to the late father of Common, Lonnie Lynn Sr. In the first verse, Common begins to narrate the story of his father, who was born and raised in Chicago. Lonnie Lynn Sr. was discovered by Jean Baptiste Point DuSable who was a Black Frenchman. Common emphasizes the importance of mentioning this, as it's important to understand the influence of the Black community in Chicago. Lynn faced a lot of difficulties in life, living in the low-end neighborhood of 47th and Michigan, and lacked discipline. However, his grandmother Mable did the best she could to raise him, and despite his struggles, he became one of the best basketball players out of Illinois.
Throughout the song, Common talks about the conversations he had with his father, who he describes as having a brilliant yet sometimes seemingly crazy perspective on life. Lynn shared stories about reading both the Quran and the Bible, smoking dope, selling it for survival, and the importance of our ancestors. Common reflects on how his father's messages shaped him as a person. He remembers how his father would walk around in the Air Jordans he gave him and the fight he had with cancer, which he faced bravely by taking Dr. Sebi's herbs instead of medication. Common prays for his father and hopes that his dreams and legacies live on through his children.
Line by Line Meaning
How should I begin?
The singer starts off by asking how to begin telling the story of Lonnie Lynn, also known as Little Chicago Boy.
This is the story of a boy named Lonnie Lynn
The singer introduces the main character of the song, Lonnie Lynn, who is also known as Little Chicago Boy.
As I said it, the spirits here whip me
The singer acknowledges the spiritual significance of telling Lonnie Lynn's story and is humbled by the experience.
He was raised in the belly of the city
Lonnie Lynn was raised in the heart of Chicago, which is known as the 'belly' of the city.
Chicago
This line simply refers to Chicago, the city where Lonnie Lynn grew up.
Discovered by du Sable
Lonnie Lynn was discovered by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a Black Frenchman who is often credited with founding Chicago in the late 1700s.
A Black Frenchman
This line simply describes Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who was both Black and French.
That I had to mention
The singer feels that it is important to mention du Sable's role in Lonnie Lynn's story.
Extensions of a young man livin' on a low end
Lonnie Lynn's life and experiences were an extension of many other young men growing up in the tough, impoverished Low End neighborhood of Chicago.
47th and Michigan, lackin' a little discipline
Lonnie Lynn grew up in the 47th and Michigan area of Low End, and as a young man, he lacked a certain amount of discipline.
Grandma Mable did the best she could
Lonnie Lynn's grandmother, Mable, did her best to raise him despite the challenges they faced in Chicago's Low End.
You know how young niggas want a testy hood
The singer acknowledges that young Black men often crave a tough environment in which to prove themselves.
Yes he stood, taller than most Black boys
Despite the challenges Lonnie Lynn faced, he stood out as a tall and talented young man among his peers.
One of the best ballers out of Illinois
Lonnie Lynn was an exceptional basketball player and is considered one of the best to come out of Illinois.
College in Ohio, this is like his bio
Lonnie Lynn attended college in Ohio, and this is a significant part of his life story.
Talks that we had, man, they was never idle
The singer and Lonnie Lynn had meaningful conversations that were never idle or meaningless.
He talked about readin' the Quran and the Bible
Lonnie Lynn had an interest in both the Quran and the Bible and often talked about his readings and interpretations of these texts.
He talked how he smoked dope and sold it for survival
Lonnie Lynn was honest about the challenges he faced growing up in Chicago, including using and selling drugs to survive.
He talked about the ancestors, in our lives they're vital
Lonnie Lynn believed that our ancestors play a vital role in our lives and often talked about their significance.
He said y'all niggas love the bang 'cause you tribal
Lonnie Lynn believed that Black people have a natural tribalism that contributes to their love of violence and gang culture.
Spiral of life, Chicago to Denver
The spiral of life refers to how Lonnie Lynn's life took him from his birthplace in Chicago to Denver and beyond.
Anywhere he went, of attention, he's the center
Lonnie Lynn always stood out as someone who commanded attention no matter where he went.
6'9", big heart, big mind
Lonnie Lynn was a tall man with a big heart and mind, who left a lasting impression on those around him.
He he spent his whole life tryin' to be big time
Lonnie Lynn was always striving to achieve greatness and leave a mark on the world.
He did in a way, he made to the ABA
Lonnie Lynn did achieve a certain level of success when he played professional basketball in the ABA.
And the things he say on my record
Lonnie Lynn's words and perspective are captured on the singer's record, giving his story a wider audience.
When I was a shawty, he bought me "The Message"
When the singer was a child, Lonnie Lynn gave him a copy of the hip hop classic "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
It was his messages in life I would step with
The singer was deeply affected by Lonnie Lynn's life lessons and carried them with him throughout his own life.
Didn't see him much, spirits are connected
Despite not seeing Lonnie Lynn often in person, the singer believes that their spirits are connected and he feels close to him.
Father creates it, the son can reflect it
This line is a reference to God as the ultimate creator and humans as reflections of his divine nature.
His perspective: sometimes seemed crazy
Lonnie Lynn's perspective on life could sometimes seem unconventional or even crazy to others.
His perspective: sometimes seemed brilliant
At other times, Lonnie Lynn's perspective was brilliant and insightful.
His perspective: somehow it shaped me
Despite the ups and downs of his perspective, the singer feels that Lonnie Lynn's worldview played a significant role in shaping his own.
His perspective: undoubted I feel it
The singer has no doubts about the impact that Lonnie Lynn's perspective has had on his life.
He'd walk around in them Air Jordans I gave him
The singer gave Lonnie Lynn a pair of Air Jordans, a popular and expensive brand of sneakers, and he often wore them around proudly.
I said, "Pops, them from Mike, man, you better save 'em"
The singer jokingly reminded Lonnie Lynn that the Air Jordans were expensive and valuable, and he should take care of them.
The fight that he had with cancer was a brave one
Lonnie Lynn battled cancer, and the singer acknowledges his bravery in doing so.
Took Dr. Sebi's herbs instead of medication
Instead of traditional medication, Lonnie Lynn opted to use herbal remedies prescribed by Dr. Sebi to try and treat his cancer.
Breathing heavy, he talked reparations
As Lonnie Lynn's health declined, he remained passionate about social justice issues and talked about the need for reparations for Black people.
He said, "Son, we live through our generations"
Lonnie Lynn believed that the legacy of Black people lives on through future generations and that it is important to leave something behind.
Offspring, coughing, Gene Ammons was playing
As Lonnie Lynn's children were present, the jazz musician Gene Ammons was playing in the background.
In the background, he was talking, I was praying
As Lonnie Lynn spoke passionately about his beliefs, the singer prayed for him and listened intently.
Our Father, take care of my father
The singer prays to God, asking for his Father to take care of Lonnie Lynn.
As far as he went, may I go farther
The singer wants to honor Lonnie Lynn's legacy by achieving even greater things in his own life.
May our dreams and legacies live through our children
The singer hopes that future generations will carry on their dreams and legacies in honor of Lonnie Lynn and himself.
Though I can't touch him, I can still feel him
Despite Lonnie Lynn's passing, the singer feels his presence and is connected to him in a spiritual way.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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