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.
Stolen Moments Part II
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
It's a frantic situation
Extra salty 'cause whoever beat me, got me for this 31-inch
And this Alpha Bailey jacket I had just bought me
Out of snapping, my guy tried to talk me
But what could get me half way calm was this Donny Hathaway song
The tape that it was on I had wanted while I was gone
But forgot to pack it, in fact it was in that jacket
This demo, it's time to track it and lay it down
Either it's somebody I know or somebody I stay around
Day before I broke out, niggas was over my crib getting smoked out
No telling who had the place scoped out
Dot had brought over some niggas I didn't know
I'm asking who are you, they said I'm here with the Mo
If it was them, soon I'ma collide with them
And they better not be rocking no new Iversons
Then it could have been this hype that usually shovel my snow
If I'm out of town or not, by my car he would know
Now it might have been this stripper I met at Pinkhouse party
Thick, but my furniture wasn't worth her body
What if it was this nigga I let sleep in my crib?
They had a set of keys, but that I wasn't trying to believe
But I couldn't put it past him or them other bastards
It'd be assed backwards for me to ask if they did it
'Cause whoever did ain't gon' admit it
The blunt and dirty dishes is my only exhibit
Wondering if I should give it a rest and through the wind it might surface
'Cause telling the law, Joe, is worthless
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Wherever you are, whoever you are
Check it out
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Wherever you are, whoever you are, check it out
In these lyrics, Common discusses a theft that he experienced. He is upset because not only did they steal his possessions, but they also took a tape that he had been wanting to listen to - a Donny Hathaway song that he forgot to pack before leaving. Common reflects on different people who may have committed the theft, including his own acquaintances and a stripper he had met at a party. He realizes that it would be useless to try and ask them if they did it, as they would not admit to the crime. He is left with only his "blunt and dirty dishes" as evidence.
The song explores not only the physical loss of possessions but also the emotional impact that the theft has on Common. The theft triggers his anxiety and paranoia as he tries to piece together who could have done it. Ultimately, Common is frustrated by the situation and feels powerless to do anything about it.
Common is known for his socially conscious lyrics and this song is no exception. While on the surface it is about a theft, it also comments on larger issues of crime and distrust in communities. The song is indicative of the larger themes in Common's work of exploring identity, race, and social justice.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a frantic situation
The situation is chaotic and stressful.
Extra salty cause whoever beat me, got me for this 31-inch
I am very angry because whoever stole from me took my 31-inch television.
And this Alpha Bailey jacket I had just bought me
The thief also took the Alpha Bailey jacket I had recently bought for myself.
Out of snapping, my guy tried to talk me
My friend tried to calm me down as I was losing my temper.
But what could get me half way calm was this Donny Hathaway song
Listening to a Donny Hathaway song helped me feel slightly calmer.
The tape that it was on I had wanted while I was gone
I had wanted the tape that the song was on while I was away.
But forgot to pack it, in fact it was in that jacket
I had forgotten to pack the tape, and it was actually in the stolen jacket.
This demo, it's time to track it and lay it down
It's time for me to record this demo and finish it.
Either it's somebody I know or somebody I stay around
The thief is either someone I know or someone who is around me often.
Day before I broke out, niggas was over my crib getting smoked out
The day before the theft, people were at my house smoking marijuana.
No telling who had the place scoped out
It's impossible to know who may have been observing my house and planning to steal from me.
Dot had brought over some niggas I didn't know
Someone named Dot had brought over some people I was not familiar with.
I'm asking who are you, they said I'm here with the Mo
I asked who they were, and they said they were with someone named Mo.
If it was them, soon I'mma collide with them
If they were involved, I will confront them soon.
And they better not be rocking no new Iversons
If they were involved, I hope they are not wearing new Iverson sneakers as I would be angry to see them benefiting from my loss.
Then it could have been this hype that usually shovel my snow
It's possible that the culprit is a person who usually shovels snow for me.
If I'm out of town or not, by my car he would know
This person would know if I was out of town or not based on whether my car was present.
Now it might have been this stripper I met at Pinkhouse party
It's possible that the thief is a stripper I met at a party held in a place called Pinkhouse.
Thick, but my furniture wasn't worth her body
Although she had a nice physique, my furniture was not worth trading her body for.
What if it was this nigga I let sleep in my crib?
It's possible that someone I allowed to sleep in my house may have been involved in the theft.
They had a set of keys, but that I wasn't trying to believe
Although they had a set of keys to my house, I did not want to believe they would steal from me.
But I couldn't put it past him or them other bastards
I couldn't rule them out as suspects.
It'd be assed backwards for me to ask if they did it
It would be pointless for me to ask them if they were responsible.
Cause whoever did ain't gon' admit it
The thief is not likely to admit to their actions.
The blunt and dirty dishes is my only exhibit
The only evidence I have are a used marijuana blunt and some unwashed dishes.
Wondering if I should give it a rest and through the wind it might surface
I wonder if I should stop trying to solve the crime and hope that the stolen items will eventually resurface.
Cause telling the law, Joe, is worthless
I believe telling law enforcement would be useless.
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are
Addressing the thief, calling them a cowardly person.
Wherever you are, whoever you are
No matter where they are or who they are, I am demanding that they return my belongings.
Check it out
Listen up.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ernest Dion Wilson, Lonnie Rashid Lynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind