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.
No Fear
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jordan Airs, he got at least seven pairs
His voice rare, talk with a mumble
Chicago bear hat, quarterback the huddle
Called a audible of trouble came
His name Chris, black as his hustle name
Reaction to his chains, it's like a basketball game
Watch him winning, hope your team do the same
Wish a nigga would go against his grain
Used to stain but moved up in the game
Takin' niggas spots, takin' niggas fame
The fortune of a 'caine, long live his reign
He do it for his son, he do it with a gun
Whatever he do, yo, he do it till it's done
A team full of hitters, so they hit and run
The prestone even want none
Walk with the G's cause the G's never run
Something to be from the slum and be the one
This is where he at, this is where he from
Where I'm from
Living life with no fear
Putting that truth in my baby girl's ear
Told her that dudes gon' want some ass
And whatever you do, do it with class
She wanna E, but to me, you gotta earn it
You can't circumvent life, you gotta earn it
It's the circle of life, that's why we're turning
Yo, I hit a choir and the sermon, our messiah is returning
With the towel around my neck, I style around respect
Know the smell of good shit, the sound of a TEC
They fire, drill, stop dropping roll
I popped out the Cole hip-hop, that was gold
The way of the road is our ode to the legacy
Come on dog, you know my pedigree
Find it forever be, the sun never set on me
Many reign, but the game never weather me
If I'm in the building it mean I got equity
Where articles are black like Ebony
Since I was a shorty I was thinking longevity
No fear, I say that with levity
Where I'm from
In the first verse of Common's song No Fear, he paints a picture of a man named Chris, who is a hustler from the streets of Chicago. Chris is pictured sitting on stairs, with at least seven pairs of Jordan Airs. He has a rare voice and talks with a mumble, wearing a Chicago bear hat, quarterbacking the huddle. Chris has a reputation of being a menace, and his reaction to his chains is like a basketball game, with him winning and hoping his team does the same. He has moved up in the game, taking niggas' spots and fame. Chris does everything with a gun, and he does it till it's done, with a team full of hitters who hit and run. He does it all for his son and takes no nonsense from anyone.
In the chorus of the song, Common talks about living life with no fear and telling his baby girl the truth. He advises her on how to carry herself, with class, and earn her way towards an E. He reminds her that life's a circle, and you must turn with it. He talks about his legacy and how he has faced many reigns, but the game never weathered him. He asserts his position as an equity holder, where articles are black like Ebony, and he has thought about longevity since he was a shorty.
Overall, the song No Fear talks about the importance of living life with no fear and doing what's necessary to take control of your life. The song highlights the challenges in life, especially for those from the slums, and the drive to succeed against all odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting on stairs, in street affairs
Common is sitting on stairs, observing street life and interactions.
Jordan Airs, he got at least seven pairs
A person nearby has multiple pairs of Jordan shoes.
His voice rare, talk with a mumble
The person speaking has a unique voice and speaks quietly.
Chicago bear hat, quarterback the huddle
The person is wearing a Chicago Bears hat and appears to be leading a group.
Called a audible of trouble came
The person identified a problem and took action to address it.
His name Chris, black as his hustle name
The person's name is Chris and he is known for his hard work.
Reaction to his chains, it's like a basketball game
People are amazed by the person's jewelry, like they would be at a basketball game.
Watch him winning, hope your team do the same
Others are inspired by the person's success and hope to achieve the same level of success.
A menace, he owed dog kane
The person is perceived as dangerous and owes someone named Dog Kane.
Wish a nigga would go against his grain
Others know not to mess with him or oppose him.
Used to stain but moved up in the game
The person used to be involved in illegal activity but has since progressed to a higher level of success.
Takin' niggas spots, takin' niggas fame
The person is taking the place and fame of others.
The fortune of a caine, long live his reign
The person has gained significant fortune and success and will continue to reign.
He do it for his son, he do it with a gun
The person is motivated by his love for his son and is unafraid to use violence if necessary.
Whatever he do, yo, he do it till it's done
The person is determined to see his endeavors through to the end.
A team full of hitters, so they hit and run
The person surrounds himself with others who are willing to engage in violence and then flee the scene.
The prestone even want none
Even the police don't want to get involved with the person and his associates.
Walk with the G's cause the G's never run
The person walks with gangsters because they are never afraid or intimidated.
Something to be from the slum and be the one
The person is proud to come from a poor area and achieve success.
This is where he at, this is where he from
The person is grounded in his roots and proud of where he comes from.
Living life with no fear
Common lives his life without fear, unafraid to take risks or face challenges.
Putting that truth in my baby girl's ear
Common is teaching his daughter to be honest and true to herself.
Told her that dudes gon' want some ass
Common warned his daughter that men will be sexually attracted to her.
And whatever you do, do it with class
Common wants his daughter to conduct herself with grace and dignity in all situations.
She wanna E, but to me, you gotta earn it
Common's daughter wants the easy life, but he teaches her that she has to work hard to earn what she wants.
You can't circumvent life, you gotta earn it
Common believes that it is impossible to cheat or skip ahead in life - one must put in the necessary effort and earn their success.
It's the circle of life, that's why we're turning
Life is cyclical and ever-changing, and Common is teaching his daughter to adapt and persevere through the ups and downs.
Yo, I hit a choir and the sermon, our messiah is returning
Common experienced a powerful moment in church and believes that a savior or leader is coming back.
With the towel around my neck, I style around respect
Common has a towel around his neck, indicating that he just worked out or played a sport, and values respect in all areas of life.
Know the smell of good shit, the sound of a tec
Common is familiar with both luxury and violence, indicating that he has experienced both extreme wealth and danger in his lifetime.
They fire, drill, stop dropping roll
In the face of danger, Common knows the procedure for keeping oneself safe.
I popped out the cole hip-hop, that was gold
Common was a pioneer in the hip-hop genre and created something valuable and timeless.
The way of the road is our ode to the legacy
The legacy of those before us has paved the way for our actions and decisions.
Come on dog, you know my pedigree
Common has a distinguished background and reputation that precedes him.
Find it forever be, the sun never set on me
Common believes that his influence and impact will live on forever, and his success will never diminish.
Many reign, but the game never weather me
Others may come and go in the music industry, but Common remains strong and resilient.
If I'm in the building it mean I got equity
Common has worked hard to build up his reputation and status, and his presence in a building indicates a level of power and ownership.
Where articles are black like Ebony
In the areas Common frequents, the people and surroundings are predominantly black.
Since I was a shorty I was thinking longevity
Even from a young age, Common was focused on building a successful and sustainable future for himself.
No fear, I say that with levity
Common may live without fear, but he doesn't take his confidence and achievements too seriously - he retains a sense of humor and humility.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Ernest Dion Wilson, Lonnie Rashid Lynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind