Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. (born March 13, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. (born March 13, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Common (previously Common Sense), is a Grammy award winning rapper, author and actor known for lyrics that focus on love and spirituality. Signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music, many people describe him as being a conscious hip hop artist who makes songs that send a message. He debuted in 1992 with the album Can I Borrow a Dollar? and maintained a significant underground following into the late 90s, after which he gained notable mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians.

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 Pt. III
Common Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Q-Tip)

Q-Tip:
Hey , hey, hey, hey,
Hey, who dat? Hey, who dat?
Hey, who dat? Check it, what
Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are(x2)
Hey sucka nigga, hey sucka nigga

Whoever you are, whoever you are

Common:
Fuck waitin under my skin, the situation is scrapin
Somewhat like the girl X-ratin
It's hard to be patient with no VCR or PlayStation
Knowing your Rockports, somebody may be lacin
Make me wanna leave the city when I can't take a vacation
Without somebody breakin in my demonstration
For some South side information, I search the Nigga-net
It certain things about this I ain't figure yet
Dirt, the guy who stayed with me and had a set of keys
Because his job had been stopped smokin weed
Thursdays is off days, he usually watch his seed
For him to have done it, a babysitter and a car he would need
The stripper broad, my TV and couch, she couldn't carry it
Unless some nigga helped and that's who she'll get buried with
She was vegeterian and she wouldn't have cooked chicken
I confronted her with it, to her story, she was stickin
The plot thickens, as we drove in search of this hype
Who I ain't know by name, but I knew by bike
Chances of him breakin in, chillin and eatin
Are about as slim as he is though I knew where he lived
In his house with three kids, one I was cool with
As we roll, I told the guy, turn on the music
Just as I thought I closed in on one suspect
The nigga who did it popped the tape in the deck

(Excerpt from a movie)
Just tell me why. Don't lie to me man, just tell me why
It's the money, alright?
Just tell me why
It's the fuckin money, alright?
(fighting)
Reynoldo, shoot that piece of shit

Q-Tip:

Know what I'm sayin. Word up
It ain't sweet when you do that shit(x7)

Overall Meaning

In Common's song Stolen Moments Pt. III featuring Q-Tip, the two artists address the issue of theft in their neighborhood. Common speaks about his frustration with the constant need to protect his belongings and his desire to leave the city. He questions who might be responsible for stealing his possessions and goes through a list of possible suspects, including his friend Dirt, who had a set of keys to his place. Common also points out that the thief had help in carrying out the robbery, as the stripper he previously encountered could not have done it alone. As they go on a search for the culprit, they come across a situation where a man admits to stealing for the money.

The song is a commentary on the harsh realities of life in the inner city, where theft is commonplace and people resort to criminal activities to make ends meet. Through their lyrics, Common and Q-Tip shed light on the desperation and sense of hopelessness that drives people to engage in these activities. They also highlight the frustration and anger that law-abiding citizens feel when they fall victim to such crimes. Overall, the song serves as a powerful critique of the economic and social conditions that lead to crime and violence in urban areas.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey , hey, hey, hey,
Opening salutation, with an air of excitement and anticipation.

Hey, who dat? Hey, who dat?
Asking who is present, with a sense of curiosity and wonderment.

Hey, who dat? Check it, what
Continuing the previous line, still seeking clarity on who is here and what's happening.

Hey sucka nigga, whoever you are(x2)
Addressing anyone who might be an adversary, reminding them that they are lacking in honor and courage.

Hey sucka nigga, hey sucka nigga
Repeating the previous line for emphasis, adding a layer of scorn and derision to the address.

Whoever you are, whoever you are
Reiterating the opening point, with even more venom and contempt.

Fuck waitin under my skin, the situation is scrapin
Feeling deeply frustrated and irked, unable to keep the annoyance contained within.

Somewhat like the girl X-ratin
Drawing a loose comparison to something that is also irritating, in this case, the censure of a woman's sexuality.

It's hard to be patient with no VCR or PlayStation
Feeling bored and listless, unable to find a suitable distraction or escape from daily life.

Knowing your Rockports, somebody may be lacin
Being aware of one's vulnerability, and potential danger, in situations that would traditionally be considered safe.

Make me wanna leave the city when I can't take a vacation
Feeling overwhelmed and despondent, longing to leave the current surroundings in search of peace and rest.

Without somebody breakin in my demonstration
Feeling besieged and vulnerable in one's own space, unable to feel comfortable and secure.

For some South side information, I search the Nigga-net
Turning to alternative sources of information, outside of the mainstream and the law.

It certain things about this I ain't figure yet
Acknowledging that there are some details that are still unclear, despite the search for information.

Dirt, the guy who stayed with me and had a set of keys
Introducing a character who is known, but may have ulterior motives and connections to the situation.

Because his job had been stopped smokin weed
Offering a potential explanation for why Dirt may have access or knowledge that others may not.

Thursdays is off days, he usually watch his seed
Another piece of information about Dirt, which may or may not be relevant to the current situation.

For him to have done it, a babysitter and a car he would need
Speculating on the likelihood of Dirt being involved, based on the requirements for the crime to occur.

The stripper broad, my TV and couch, she couldn't carry it
Bringing up another possible suspect, based on the missing items and their weight.

Unless some nigga helped and that's who she'll get buried with
Offering a bleak future for the stripper if she was, in fact, involved in the theft.

She was vegeterian and she wouldn't have cooked chicken
Adding a detail about the stripper that may or may not be relevant, but provides a bit of color to the story.

I confronted her with it, to her story, she was stickin
Confronting the stripper about the inconsistency, discovering that she is not budging from her story.

The plot thickens, as we drove in search of this hype
Feeling like the investigation is getting more complex and difficult, with unexpected twists and turns.

Who I ain't know by name, but I knew by bike
Referring to a person who is not known by name, but may have been spotted or identified by a distinct feature.

Chances of him breakin in, chillin and eatin
Using humor to highlight the absurdity of the situation, and how unlikely it would be for someone to break in and simply hang out.

Are about as slim as he is though I knew where he lived
Acknowledging that while the chances may be small, there is still a possibility that he may have been involved.

In his house with three kids, one I was cool with
Providing a bit of background about the suspected thief, including information about his family and relationships with the singer.

As we roll, I told the guy, turn on the music
Adding a bit of levity to the situation, by changing the tone and setting a more relaxed atmosphere.

Just as I thought I closed in on one suspect
Feeling like the investigation is finally coming to a head, and that justice will soon be served.

The nigga who did it popped the tape in the deck
Revealing a surprising twist, that the thief is not who he thought, and that he is still at large.

Know what I'm sayin. Word up
Ending the song with a casual, conversational tone, as if speaking directly to the listener.

It ain't sweet when you do that shit(x7)
Repeating a refrain from earlier, to emphasize the feeling of disgust and frustration with the actions of the thief.

Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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