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.
Sun God
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, Hi-Tek
Free the rhyme or risk a dig into a deep sound abyss
Unit in the stash the beats and never found the shit
Experience like Hendrix, keep my sound enriched
Cats ask about my stitch, to me they soundin' bitch
I'ma give it, as far as you can take it
Tried to take the safe way, told you there's a gateway to skinny
Many can find it but few can climb it
I'm open-minded like a pothead
Doin' what I gotta do to keep the spot fed
In the climate of locked dreads, corn-rows, torn souls
Worn hoes, who been molested by they uncle
I bundle, amongst you cold motheruckers
The world is bitter, like baby mothers
Look how far El Dorados and wine bottles drug us
Least God and the sun love us, it's the Sun God
Everywhere is broken glass
Nephews smokin' squares, nieces smokin' grass
Try not to say shoot around my daughter, she already know to blast
Catchin' the future, don't know who threw the past
It's the, year of the snake and the hidden dragon
Niggaz is fake like bitches braggin'
Listen to the ocean and the stars, keep my vision in motion
In motion like cars
I'm down to Earth, at times I feel closer to Mars
The world is yours, I'm hopin' it's ours
Some say the Gods is crazy, I see God in our babies
Child of the sun, I allowed it to raise me
From a distance niggaz tried to appraise me
I'm hard to read like graffiti so it don't phase me
My days be spent, behind dream's tent
Through the sun the divine being is sent
It's the Sun God
Letters from prison sayin' we need a better religion
I'm a rebel that listens from a eighty-seven position
I can't crystallize the mission lies within
Born to die even in death we begin
It's heavy jo learnin' what we already know
And carry low swing on a chariot slow
Brothers stick though remindin' me of revolution
If the drama comes I'ma have to, uhh, pop his gun
It's the Sun God, yeah
To the sun
To the sun
To the sun
...
The lyrics to Common feat. Vinia Mojica's song The Sun God are a reflection on the state of the world and its people. The opening lines suggest the risk involved in speaking freely and the danger of falling into the abyss of silence, represented by the "deep sound abyss." Common reflects on his own experience and compares it to that of Hendrix, suggesting that he has enriched his sound with his unique perspective. He also criticizes those who question his authenticity, dismissing them as "cats" who sound "bitch."
The following lines speak to the struggles of the marginalized and oppressed, particularly women who have been molested by their uncles. Common does not shy away from describing the bitter reality of the world, but he also finds hope in the love of God and the sun. The chorus emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power of the sun and its ability to bring light to even the darkest places.
The second verse continues these themes and suggests that the world is broken and in need of better guidance. The line "born to die even in death we begin" speaks to the cyclical nature of life and death, and the importance of continuing to learn and grow even in the face of adversity. Common's hope lies in the potential of future generations, represented by the image of God in our babies.
Overall, The Sun God is a complex reflection on the state of the world and the role of faith and hope in navigating difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Free the rhyme or risk a dig into a deep sound abyss
If I don't let my rhymes flow freely, I'll fall into a musical hole
Unit in the stash the beats and never found the shit
I'm storing away these beats and never losing them
Experience like Hendrix, keep my sound enriched
I have the same kind of skill Jimi Hendrix had, and I keep my music unique
Cats ask about my stitch, to me they soundin' bitch
Other artists ask about my technique, and I think they're acting cowardly
In my sounds the glitch of hatred for cats who ain't make it
I can't help including my frustration towards unsuccessful artists in my music
I'ma give it, as far as you can take it
I'll put my all into my music, and you can enjoy it as much as you want
Tried to take the safe way, told you there's a gateway to skinny
I know some artists choose to play safe, but I believe there's a path to success
Many can find it but few can climb it
A lot of artists might find the path, but very few of them can reach the top
I'm open-minded like a pothead
I'm very receptive to new ideas and experiences
Doin' what I gotta do to keep the spot fed
I'm doing everything I can to stay relevant in the music industry
In the climate of locked dreads, corn-rows, torn souls
In this time of cultural strife and division, I try to find beauty in everything
Worn hoes, who been molested by they uncle
There are many women who have suffered sexual abuse from their own families
I bundle, amongst you cold motheruckers
I'm working with and surrounded by people who are not warm or friendly
The world is bitter, like baby mothers
The world isn't always kind to mothers raising children on their own
Look how far El Dorados and wine bottles drug us
We've been seduced by material possessions like luxury cars and expensive wine
Least God and the sun love us, it's the Sun God
At least we have the love of God and the sun, which we can all appreciate
Everywhere is broken glass
It seems like everything is falling apart, like shattered glass
Nephews smokin' squares, nieces smokin' grass
Young people around me are engaging in harmful activities like smoking cigarettes and weed
Try not to say shoot around my daughter, she already know to blast
I don't want my daughter to hear violent language or be exposed to guns, but she knows how to defend herself
Catchin' the future, don't know who threw the past
We are moving forward to the future, but we don't know or understand the events of the past
It's the, year of the snake and the hidden dragon
This is a time of deceit and secrets, like the snake and dragon in Chinese mythology
Niggaz is fake like bitches braggin'
Some people are pretending to be something they're not, like women who brag
Listen to the ocean and the stars, keep my vision in motion
I'm listening to and respecting nature while staying focused on my goals
In motion like cars
I'm always moving forward, like cars on a highway
I'm down to Earth, at times I feel closer to Mars
I have a very grounding personality, but sometimes I feel like I don't belong here
The world is yours, I'm hopin' it's ours
The world belongs to all of us, and I hope we can all find harmony and peace
Some say the Gods is crazy, I see God in our babies
Some people believe the Gods are insane, but I see the hand of God in our children
Child of the sun, I allowed it to raise me
I feel like I'm a product of the sun, which gave me life and influenced who I am
From a distance niggaz tried to appraise me
People have tried to judge and evaluate me from afar
I'm hard to read like graffiti so it don't phase me
It's difficult to interpret my personality or my art, so other people's opinions don't bother me
My days be spent, behind dream's tent
I spend most of my days chasing after my dreams, but I still have a long way to go
Through the sun the divine being is sent
I believe divinity comes through sunlight and the universe
Letters from prison sayin' we need a better religion
Prisoners have written to me about the need for a better faith or belief system
I'm a rebel that listens from a eighty-seven position
I'm a nonconformist who listens and tries to understand from a unique perspective
I can't crystallize the mission lies within
I'm not sure what my mission is yet, but I know it's somewhere inside of me
Born to die even in death we begin
We are all born with a certain fate, but even after death, there is a new beginning
It's heavy jo learnin' what we already know
It's difficult to accept or understand things we already know, but it's a necessary process
And carry low swing on a chariot slow
I'm carrying a heavy burden and moving slowly towards my goals, like a chariot ride
Brothers stick though remindin' me of revolution
My brothers and companions remind me of the importance of change and rebellion
If the drama comes I'ma have to, uhh, pop his gun
If there's any kind of conflict or danger, I'll have to use force or defend myself
To the sun
This line is a repetition and emphasis of my respect for the sun, which represents life and divinity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, TONY L. COTTRELL, VINIA MOJICA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind