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.
The 6th Sense
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The revolution is here
Yeah, it's Common Sense, with DJ Premier
We gonna help y'all see clear
It's real hip-hop music, from the soul, y'all
Yeah, check it, yo
The perseverance of a rebel I drop heavier levels
Can't knock the hustle, but I've seen street dreams deferred
Dark spots in my mind where the scene occurred
Some say I'm too deep, I'm in too deep to sleep
Through me, Muhammad will forever speak
Greet brothers with handshakes in ghetto landscapes
Where a man is determined by how much a man make
Cop Cognacs and spit old raps with young cats
With cigarettes in their ear, niggerish they appear
Under the Fubu is a guru, that's untapped
Want to be in the rap race but ain't ran one lap
Ran so far from the streets that you can't come back
You tripping with nowhere to unpack, forgot that
In front of two-inch glass and Arabs I order fries
Inspiration when I write, I see my daughter's eyes
I'm the truth, across the table from corporate lies
Immortalized by the realness I bring to it
If revolution had a movie I'd be theme music
My music, you either fight, fuck, or dream to it
My life is one big rhyme, I try to scheme through it
Through my shell, never knew what the divine would bring to it
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want millions
More than money saved, I want to save children
Dealing with alcoholism and afrocentricity
A complex man drawn off of simplicity
Reality is frisking me
This industry will make you lose intensity
The Common Sense in me remembers the basement
I'm Morpheus in this hip-hop Matrix, exposing fake shit
Some days I take the L to gel with the real world
Got on at 87th, stopped by this little girl
She recited raps, I forgot where they was from
In 'em, she was saying how she made brothers cum
I start thinking, how many souls hip-hop has affected
How many dead folks this art resurrected
How many nations this culture connected
Who am I to judge one's perspective?
Though some of that shit y'all pop true it, I ain't relating
If I don't like it, I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hating
I just want to innovate and stimulate minds
Travel the world and penetrate the times
Escape through rhythms in search of peace and wisdom
Raps are smoke signals letting the streets know I'm with 'em
For now I appreciate this moment in time
Ball players and actors be knowing my rhymes, it's like
In “The 6th Sense,” Common, accompanied by DJ Premier, delves into the topic of revolution, hip-hop and its realness, and his own personal journey in the industry. The song begins with a nod to the famous poem by Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” which highlights the idea that true revolution and change cannot be captured by the media or transmitted through screens. Common asserts that the revolution is already here and with his music, he seeks to help his listeners see it clearly.
The lyrics speak to Common’s experience growing up in the ghetto and how he has seen street dreams deferred due to the harsh reality of life in impoverished neighborhoods. He highlights the importance of brotherhood and community in such landscapes, where a man’s worth is determined by how much he makes. The rapper takes aim at the phoniness and superficiality prevalent in the rap industry, likening himself to Morpheus in The Matrix, exposing the fake shit.
Common then reflects on the power and impact of hip-hop on a global scale. He emphasizes how the genre touches the souls of people all around the world and resurrects the dead through its artistry. He further addresses the idea of perspective and personal taste, stating that he doesn’t hate or judge someone who doesn’t like his style - he just seeks to innovate and penetrate minds.
Line by Line Meaning
The revolution will not be televised
The revolution will not be broadcasted on television, but instead, it is taking place right now.
The revolution is here
The revolution is currently happening.
Yeah, it's Common Sense, with DJ Premier
This song is by Common Sense and produced by DJ Premier.
We gonna help y'all see clear
We are going to provide insight and clarity.
It's real hip-hop music, from the soul, y'all
This is genuine hip-hop music that is heartfelt.
Yeah, check it, yo
Listen up, pay attention.
The perseverance of a rebel I drop heavier levels
I am a fighter and I deliver powerful messages.
It's unseen or heard, a king with words
My influence is not seen or heard but felt in the words I speak.
Can't knock the hustle, but I've seen street dreams deferred
I respect hard work, but I have also witnessed people's dreams not coming to fruition due to their circumstances.
Dark spots in my mind where the scene occurred
I have memories that haunt me.
Some say I'm too deep, I'm in too deep to sleep
Some people believe I am too complex, but I am too invested in my art to sleep.
Through me, Muhammad will forever speak
I hope to honor Muhammad Ali's legacy through my music.
Greet brothers with handshakes in ghetto landscapes
I show respect to my peers in difficult situations.
Where a man is determined by how much a man make
In the ghetto, a man's worth is determined by his income.
Cop Cognacs and spit old raps with young cats
I drink expensive alcohol and collaborate with younger artists.
With cigarettes in their ear, niggerish they appear
The young artists I work with sometimes make poor choices that reflect poorly on themselves.
Under the Fubu is a guru, that's untapped
Underneath the fashionable brand Fubu, there is great potential.
Want to be in the rap race but ain't ran one lap
Some people aspire to be successful rappers but are not willing to put in the work.
Ran so far from the streets that you can't come back
Some people have moved away from their origins and are too far removed to return.
You tripping with nowhere to unpack, forgot that
You are lost and have nowhere to go because you forgot your roots.
In front of two-inch glass and Arabs I order fries
I work menial jobs to make ends meet.
Inspiration when I write, I see my daughter's eyes
My daughter inspires me when I write music.
I'm the truth, across the table from corporate lies
I represent honesty in the face of corporate deceit.
Immortalized by the realness I bring to it
My authenticity has made me unforgettable.
If revolution had a movie I'd be theme music
If there was a movie about revolution, my music would be the theme song.
My music, you either fight, fuck, or dream to it
My music evokes strong emotions, whether it be aggression, passion, or aspiration.
My life is one big rhyme, I try to scheme through it
My life is like a poetic composition, and I try to navigate through it.
Through my shell, never knew what the divine would bring to it
Despite my outward appearance, I am unsure of what fate has in store for me.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want millions
Although I value creative expression over wealth, money is still important to me.
More than money saved, I want to save children
More than accruing wealth, I hope to make a positive impact on children's lives.
Dealing with alcoholism and afrocentricity
I struggle with addiction and incorporate Black culture into my music.
A complex man drawn off of simplicity
I am a multifaceted person that is grounded in basic values.
Reality is frisking me
The harsh realities of life are affecting me.
This industry will make you lose intensity
The music industry can detract from an artist's passion and drive.
The Common Sense in me remembers the basement
I remember my humble beginnings and stay true to my roots.
I'm Morpheus in this hip-hop Matrix, exposing fake shit
I am like Morpheus in The Matrix, revealing and opposing falsehoods in hip-hop.
Some days I take the L to gel with the real world
Sometimes I take public transit as a way to connect with everyday people.
Got on at 87th, stopped by this little girl
I got on the train at 87th street and had a conversation with a young girl.
She recited raps, I forgot where they was from
The girl performed a rap, but I cannot recall where it was from.
In 'em, she was saying how she made brothers cum
In the rap, the girl was bragging about her sexual exploits.
I start thinking, how many souls hip-hop has affected
The encounter with the girl makes me contemplate how many people hip-hop has influenced.
How many dead folks this art resurrected
I also consider how hip-hop has given new life to those who have passed away.
How many nations this culture connected
Hip-hop has also united people across different countries and cultures.
Who am I to judge one's perspective?
I should not criticize anyone's point of view.
Though some of that shit y'all pop true it, I ain't relating
Although some mainstream hip-hop resonates with others, I cannot relate to it.
If I don't like it, I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hating
Just because I dislike something does not mean I am being negative toward it.
I just want to innovate and stimulate minds
I strive to be creative and inspire others.
Travel the world and penetrate the times
I aspire to make a global mark and impact the zeitgeist.
Escape through rhythms in search of peace and wisdom
I find solace in music and seek enlightenment through it.
Raps are smoke signals letting the streets know I'm with 'em
My music is a message to those in the streets, letting them know I am on their side.
For now I appreciate this moment in time
I am grateful for this current moment.
Ball players and actors be knowing my rhymes, it's like
Even famous athletes and actors enjoy my music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN, CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, BILAL S OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taino Tribes
The revolution will not be televised
The revolution is here
Yeah, it's Common Sense, with DJ Premier
We gonna help y'all see clear
It's real hip-hop music, from the soul, y'all
Yeah, check it, yo
The perseverance of a rebel I drop heavier levels
It's unseen or heard, a king with words
Can't knock the hustle, but I've seen street dreams deferred
Dark spots in my mind where the scene occurred
Some say I'm too deep, I'm in too deep to sleep
Through me, Muhammad will forever speak
Greet brothers with handshakes in ghetto landscapes
Where a man is determined by how much a man make
Cop Cognacs and spit old raps with young cats
With cigarettes in their ear, niggerish they appear
Under the Fubu is a guru, that's untapped
Want to be in the rap race but ain't ran one lap
Ran so far from the streets that you can't come back
You tripping with nowhere to unpack, forgot that
In front of two-inch glass and Arabs I order fries
Inspiration when I write, I see my daughter's eyes
I'm the truth, across the table from corporate lies
Immortalized by the realness I bring to it
If revolution had a movie I'd be theme music
My music, you either fight, fuck, or dream to it
My life is one big rhyme, I try to scheme through it
Through my shell, never knew what the divine would bring to it
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want millions
More than money saved, I want to save children
Dealing with alcoholism and afrocentricity
A complex man drawn off of simplicity
Reality is frisking me
This industry will make you lose intensity
The Common Sense in me remembers the basement
I'm Morpheus in this hip-hop Matrix, exposing fake shit
Some days I take the L to gel with the real world
Got on at 87th, stopped by this little girl
She recited raps, I forgot where they was from
In 'em, she was saying how she made brothers cum
I start thinking, how many souls hip-hop has affected
How many dead folks this art resurrected
How many nations this culture connected
Who am I to judge one's perspective?
Though some of that shit y'all pop true it, I ain't relating
If I don't like it, I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hating
I just want to innovate and stimulate minds
Travel the world and penetrate the times
Escape through rhythms in search of peace and wisdom
Raps are smoke signals letting the streets know I'm with 'em
For now I appreciate this moment in time
Ball players and actors be knowing my rhymes, it's like
Uzezi Opreh
You know a DJ Premier classic when you hear one...
x x
always!!!
Me And you
DJ pr pr pr premier
Adam Gordon
Preemo top 3 on the producers list 🔥🔥
Abdul MUHAMMAD
P
Abdul MUHAMMAD
@x x p
palestar55
Common is so underrated!! He can tell a story under a topic that depicted the future. His lyrics are so impactful! He used over 350 different words in 1 song. Top 25 rapper
Latisha Lachelle
Ok then. Name the other 24.😁
OT Santos
My top 10 best Mc
Finally_Rich_
Undoubtedly. Wayne, Jay Z,Eminem caliber 4sho