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.
Two Scoops of Raisons
Common Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey what chu want man? You want some breakfast or somethin'?
I want a lil' lil' somethin' yeah yea milk and cereal or somethin'
Somethin' man! Just a little breakfast food ya know?
Mm I don't know man (ay) let's see what I got in my cabinet
Hold on let me see what I got in my cabinet
Somebody hit me with a little, baseline or groove, knamsayin'?
Yeah, breakfast food, uh
When you wish
When you wish
Upon a star
Upon a star
To follow what?
To follow what?
And where you are!
And where you are!
Party over here, party over there
Where?
Look! I made ya look, ya dirty crook
Then picked your pocket, watch me book
Like Guinness I'm a menace, so call me hip-hop's Dennis
So open wide, and say (ah)
And I'ma slide my yolk, in your throat, and watch ya choke
On the uh the ah the uh the daddy long-stroke
Stroke Long Daddy Money, if my name was Sunny
I'd share a scoop, runnin' shit like Rebels
You can call me Barney, cause I took your Fruity Pebbles
Dibble like an office on Top Cat, top that, I'm fat troop
Drop the loop, then a scooper hoop ya like a hula
To school a fool I present, a church to repent
I get you Guess'n like jeans, you're just a hill of beans
I'm all that jazz, and I kick, kick, kick, kick
The razzmatazz oh please oh please just give me just one more blast
I get off like Prince, but I don't have to show my ass
Pass the rest, like a test, if you slip then you'll get ripped
With your handicapped pass route, and "Tales From the Crypt"
I whip on that ass like base ba-bay
The Sense is good-goobley-goo, ask Gravy
Or LaMont, or Rollo, down at the, Apollo
Come follow me now (BO! Where's Sue?) I don't know
Even En Vogue, be tellin' me ya don't go
When it's time for show (yea) everyone says
Ho (ho) ho (ho) couldn't be a slider
Cause I never slip, kick it like a Damme Van flip
So don't come with your judo, cause you're just a Menudo
Emcee gettin' chewed like vegetables
Ah cabbage is a cabbage, a lettuce is a lettuce
I'ma tear this whole joint into scraps
I bust raps, perhaps caps, and trap the wack tracks
Givin' the max, for the minimum, not the minimum for the max
Get more sex than Wilt the Stilt so you can call me the Stiltest
You're takin' shorts like Arnold, so what chu talkin bout, Willis?
Bout Willis?
Yeah Willis
Willis ain't talkin' about nothin'!
It's Different Strokes
Let's get back to um, breakfast foods
Because it's, early in the mornin'
Well you can have your Wheaties
You can have your Flakes
You can have your Kix
And you can have your Trix
You can have your Pound cakes
You can have your Loops
But you still gotta get your Two Scoops!
To keep the hot raw, I'm rollin', rollin'
Bowlin' spare me! Fuss ya hushed mouth mush
Lush alcohol's excessive like a Jefferson
Movin' on up, progressive
One time for your brain, cell
And when I get through, you say, aw hell man!
Styles that I free won't, stop til the end
Paper I go on and go on with the pen
Get a max of funk, attack or sunk *huff, huff*
One blow, and emcees are gone with the wind
Kickin' the dumber rhyme, I'm not a print
But I'm fresh, heatin' up like the summertime, summer rhyme
I'm a dime a dozen, but I keep you buzzin'
Like a bee, a dozen attempts is in the toilet
Cause I flush the dime and I'm not a Leader
Cause I Busta Rhyme, a rhyme
If I kick with Rakim, you +Run For Cover+ brother
But I kick it with Petey cause I'm just another mother (sucker)
Blo' Pop time (it's Blo' Pop time)
It's Blo Pop time (it's Blo' Pop time)
In the mix, the dimension, J.B., and Chico
It's seven, not six, my shirt extra-large
But I wear, I wear I wear it well like DeBarge
To the finish, makin' ya eye pop, like you ain't spinach
Then it's, time to let you know
We count it up, one two three and fo'
Uh! Count it up
Nah we gon' count it down
Nah man, we're gonna count it up
Mm, let's get back to that umm, food tip though, the breakfast tip
Food tip? Well you just check
Cause you know what we need
What can I have?
You can have your Life
You can have your Bran
You can have your Puffs
You can have your Pebbles
You can have your Krunch
And you can have your Loops
But you still gotta get your Two Scoops!
Around and round and upside down and upside down we go
Whoa! I'ma sneak in the front row
Not Jethro, I'm not a Jethro, on skid row
I don't wear Monie's hat, but I was a monkey in the middle
Hey diddle diddle, you can Kibble a Bit
I take a squat, and booty M-C's be sayin' oh shit!
Yo, I turn Bucktown into Fucktown
You're just a field goal kid, and I'm a touchdown
With the next point to the next joint, so tell Spike about it
I'm all that, that your bitch be writin' home about it
Shout it out, praise the Lord, hallelujah!
This could be love, but um, don't let em fool ya
Cause when I do ya, come down come down after me come
Yeah sorry Sugar Plums but um, I gotta run
Run Jesse Run, keep hope alive
I'm down with the B-boys, fuck the Jackson 5
You jive-ass turkey, a-pit-apitta-a-aperk be
You can get ill, but don't, hurt me, hurt me
Or urk me, cause see I'll outsmart you like the Urkel
B-boys at the school of hard knocks, in a circle
Pass the sess blunt, yeah stud, you ain't know?
I want to go bang, I said, bang-o, bang-oh bang-oh
Or bojangle jingle jangle on the jaw
Hip-hip, hooray, oh now you want to be all lovable?
Don't push or pull, or you'll see, I'ma wreck it out
MC's be checkin' in but they don't be checkin' out
I leave em out on the canvas
So click your heels twice and take your ass back to Kansas
The beginning of Common Sense's song Two Scoops of Raisins portrays a conversation between two individuals trying to decide what to eat for breakfast. The song features various references to breakfast foods such as milk, cereal, wheaties, flakes, kix, trix, pound cakes, and loops, emphasizing the importance of a well-balanced breakfast to start the day. Common Sense goes on to use figurative language and wordplay in his rap verses, incorporating elements of humor and satire into his lyrics. He also references pop culture and societal issues such as the TV show Different Strokes, the Jeffersons, Menudo, handicapped parking, and even feminist group En Vogue.
The overall message of the song seems to be a celebration of individuality, creativity, and self-expression. The song encourages listeners to embrace their unique identities and not conform to societal norms or standards. Common Sense's rap style is effortless and playful, and his lyrics reflect his distinct personality and artistic vision.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo man, I'm hungry man
I'm feeling hungry and in need of some food.
Hey what chu want man? You want some breakfast or somethin'?
Do you want to have breakfast? What kind of breakfast food would you like?
I want a lil' lil' somethin' yeah yea milk and cereal or somethin'
I just want a small portion of milk and cereal for breakfast.
Somethin' man! Just a little breakfast food ya know?
I'm just looking to have a light breakfast, nothing too heavy.
Mm I don't know man (ay) let's see what I got in my cabinet
I'm not sure, let me check what breakfast food options I have in my kitchen cabinet.
Hold on let me see what I got in my cabinet
Give me a moment to check what breakfast food items I have available.
Somebody hit me with a little, baseline or groove, knamsayin'?
Can someone play some catchy music in the background to set the mood?
Yeah, breakfast food, uh
Yes, I'm still thinking about what type of breakfast food I want.
When you wish
In moments of desire or longing
Upon a star
Looking towards an ideal or aspiration
To follow what?
To pursue or chase after something
And where you are!
And to reach your current state or position
Party over here, party over there
There's a fun and lively atmosphere here and there
Where?
Where is the party happening?
Look! I made ya look, ya dirty crook
I successfully caught your attention with a clever trick
Then picked your pocket, watch me book
After diverting your attention, I stole from you and swiftly made my escape
Like Guinness I'm a menace, so call me hip-hop's Dennis
I'm a troublemaker in the hip-hop scene and can be compared to Dennis the Menace
So open wide, and say (ah)
Prepare yourself and make an excited exclamation
And I'ma slide my yolk, in your throat, and watch ya choke
I will dominate the rap scene with my lyrical skills and make others struggle to keep up
Stroke Long Daddy Money, if my name was Sunny
I would create a sense of satisfaction and pleasure with my music, just like money
I'd share a scoop, runnin' shit like Rebels
I would confidently share my success and be in control like a rebel
You can call me Barney, cause I took your Fruity Pebbles
You can refer to me as Barney because I outsmarted and took something valuable from you
Dibble like an office on Top Cat, top that, I'm fat troop
I move and maneuver skillfully like a character from 'Top Cat,' and I'm excellent at what I do
Drop the loop, then a scooper hoop ya like a hula
I will surprise and entertain you with my skills, just like a hula hoop
To school a fool I present, a church to repent
I'm here to educate a foolish person and give them an opportunity for repentance
I get you Guess'n like jeans, you're just a hill of beans
I confuse and perplex you like trying to guess the correct jeans size, and you're of little importance
I'm all that jazz, and I kick, kick, kick, kick
I'm incredibly talented and exceptional, and I express it through my skilled rap delivery
The razzmatazz oh please oh please just give me just one more blast
The excitement and thrill of being in the spotlight, I'm begging for more
I get off like Prince, but I don't have to show my ass
I derive satisfaction and pleasure from my music, just like Prince, but I don't need to be provocative
Pass the rest, like a test, if you slip then you'll get ripped
If you can't handle the challenge and perform poorly, you will face criticism and mocking
With your handicapped pass route, and 'Tales From the Crypt'
Your weak and predictable style is reminiscent of a restricted path, and it's like a scary story
I whip on that ass like base ba-bay
I dominate and overpower my opponents in a similar fashion to excelling in baseball
The Sense is good-goobley-goo, ask Gravy
My rap skills and rhymes are impressive and beyond comprehension, just ask Gravy
Or LaMont, or Rollo, down at the, Apollo
Like great performers such as LaMont and Rollo, I excel at the Apollo theater
Come follow me now (BO! Where's Sue?) I don't know
Join me and follow my lead, but I'm not sure where Sue is at the moment
Even En Vogue, be tellin' me ya don't go
Even the popular group En Vogue advises against missing out on my performances
When it's time for show (yea) everyone says, Ho (ho) ho (ho) couldn't be a slider
During a performance, everyone gets excited and shouts 'ho ho,' indicating that I'm not someone to be underestimated
Cause I never slip, kick it like a Damme Van flip
I never make mistakes and deliver my rap lines flawlessly, just like a kick from Jean-Claude Van Damme
So don't come with your judo, cause you're just a Menudo
Don't try to challenge me with your weak skills and techniques, you're nothing more than a Menudo
Emcee gettin' chewed like vegetables
Other emcees get criticized and broken down, just like chewing on vegetables
Ah cabbage is a cabbage, a lettuce is a lettuce
Let's not confuse things, a cabbage is a cabbage and a lettuce is a lettuce
I'ma tear this whole joint into scraps
I'm going to completely destroy this place, leaving nothing intact
I bust raps, perhaps caps, and trap the wack tracks
I excel at delivering powerful rap lines and capturing the attention of listeners with my music
Givin' the max, for the minimum, not the minimum for the max
I give my best effort and strive for greatness, never settling for less
Get more sex than Wilt the Stilt so you can call me the Stiltest
I have a lot of sexual encounters, similar to the famous basketball player Wilt Chamberlain, earning me the nickname 'the Stiltest'
You're takin' shorts like Arnold, so what chu talkin bout, Willis?
You're settling for less and being easily tricked, just like Arnold from 'Different Strokes', so what are you trying to say, Willis?
Well you can have your Wheaties
You have the option of having Wheaties for breakfast
You can have your Flakes
You have the choice of having flakes cereal for breakfast
You can have your Kix
You can choose to have Kix cereal for breakfast
And you can have your Trix
You can opt to have Trix cereal for breakfast
You can have your Pound cakes
You have the option of having pound cake for breakfast
You can have your Loops
You have the choice of having cereal loops for breakfast
But you still gotta get your Two Scoops!
Regardless of your choice, you cannot forget to have two scoops of something for breakfast
To keep the hot raw, I'm rollin', rollin'
To maintain my edgy and authentic style, I'm constantly moving forward and progressing
Bowlin' spare me! Fuss ya hushed mouth mush
Don't bother me with your pointless complaints and keep your mouth shut
Lush alcohol's excessive like a Jefferson
Excessive consumption of alcohol is comparable to the lavishness associated with Thomas Jefferson
Movin' on up, progressive
Ascending and moving forward in a progressive manner
One time for your brain, cell
I'm delivering an impactful and thought-provoking line for your brain's processing
And when I get through, you say, aw hell man!
After experiencing my performance or hearing my rap, you will be amazed and say 'aw hell'
Styles that I free won't, stop til the end
The unique and improvised styles that I deliver will continue until the very end
Paper I go on and go on with the pen
I continue to write and express myself through music using pen and paper
Get a max of funk, attack or sunk *huff, huff*
Experience the maximum level of funkiness and intensity, attacking and sinking listeners into the music
One blow, and emcees are gone with the wind
With a single blow of my rap skills, other emcees are instantly defeated and blown away
Kickin' the dumber rhyme, I'm not a print
Delivering arrogant and superior lines that outshine the competition, I'm not just an ordinary publication
But I'm fresh, heatin' up like the summertime, summer rhyme
I'm innovative and new, gaining popularity and attention like the hot days of summer
I'm a dime a dozen, but I keep you buzzin'
I might be a common occurrence, but I still manage to captivate and excite you
Like a bee, a dozen attempts is in the toilet
Similar to bees, many attempted imitators fail and end up being flushed down the toilet
Cause I flush the dime and I'm not a Leader
I discard and get rid of any competition without hesitation, and I'm not a follower but a trendsetter
Cause I Busta Rhyme, a rhyme
Just like Busta Rhymes, I deliver powerful and energetic rhymes
If I kick with Rakim, you +Run For Cover+ brother
If I collaborate with Rakim, you better run and take cover because we're a force to be reckoned with
But I kick it with Petey cause I'm just another mother (sucker)
I associate myself with Petey, because like him, I'm just another skilled rapper
Blo' Pop time (it's Blo' Pop time)
It's time to have some fun and enjoy life (referring to a Blow Pop candy)
In the mix, the dimension, J.B., and Chico
In this musical blend, we have different artists like J.B. and Chico
It's seven, not six, my shirt extra-large
I'm setting the record straight, my shirt is extra-large, not the typical large size
But I wear, I wear I wear it well like DeBarge
But I still manage to wear my clothing well, just like the DeBarge family who were known for their style
To the finish, makin' ya eye pop, like you ain't spinach
I'm going all the way, impressing and surprising you, as if you've never seen anything like it
Then it's, time to let you know
After all the buildup, it's finally time to reveal the truth or share important information
We count it up, one two three and fo'
Let's count together, starting from one and continuing to four
Nah we gon' count it down
No, let's count down instead
Nah man, we're gonna count it up
No, we're definitely going to count up
Mm, let's get back to that umm, food tip though, the breakfast tip
Hmm, let's return to our previous topic of discussing breakfast food options
Food tip? Well you just check
Talking about food is a great idea, let's explore this further
Cause you know what we need
Because you have a good understanding of what we require
What can I have?
What options are available for me?
You can have your Life
You can choose to have Life cereal for breakfast
You can have your Bran
You have the choice of having bran cereal for breakfast
You can have your Puffs
You can opt to have puffed cereal for breakfast
You can have your Pebbles
You can choose to have Pebbles cereal for breakfast
You can have your Krunch
You have the option of having crunchy cereal for breakfast
And you can have your Loops
You can opt to have cereal loops for breakfast
But you still gotta get your Two Scoops!
Regardless of your choice, you cannot forget to have two scoops of something for breakfast
Around and round and upside down and upside down we go
We're going in circles and experiencing events that are unpredictable and disorienting
Whoa! I'ma sneak in the front row
Whoa! I'm going to secretly slip into the front row
Not Jethro, I'm not a Jethro, on skid row
I'm not naive or inexperienced, I'm not Jethro from 'The Beverly Hillbillies' living in poverty
I don't wear Monie's hat, but I was a monkey in the middle
I don't copy Monie Love's style, but I've been caught in difficult situations like the game 'Monkey in the Middle'
Hey diddle diddle, you can Kibble a Bit
In a playful rhyme, I'm saying you can have a small snack or nibble
I take a squat, and booty M-C's be sayin' oh shit!
I take a dominant stance and intimidate other emcees, making them panic and say 'oh shit!'
Yo, I turn Bucktown into Fucktown
I have a significant impact on a neighborhood, transforming it into a wild and chaotic place
You're just a field goal kid, and I'm a touchdown
You're only capable of small achievements, but I excel and score big like a touchdown
With the next point to the next joint, so tell Spike about it
Building on my success, I'm moving on to the next endeavor, so make sure to inform Spike Lee
I'm all that, that your bitch be writin' home about it
I possess all the qualities that your partner finds impressive and writes about in correspondence
Shout it out, praise the Lord, hallelujah!
Express your excitement and joy, giving praise to the Lord, hallelujah!
This could be love, but um, don't let em fool ya
This might seem like love, but don't let them deceive or manipulate you
Cause when I do ya, come down come down after me come
When I engage with someone intimately, they often experience a feeling of euphoria and come down from it afterward
Yeah sorry Sugar Plums but um, I gotta run
Apologies, my dear, but I need to leave quickly
Run Jesse Run, keep hope alive
Just like the phrase used during Jesse Jackson's political campaigns, urging him to keep fighting and maintaining hope
I'm down with the B-boys, fuck the Jackson 5
I consider myself a part of the hip-hop culture, dismissing the pop group Jackson 5
You jive-ass turkey, a-pit-apitta-a-aperk be
You deluded and foolish person, trying to imitate and act in a sophisticated manner
You can get ill, but don't, hurt me, hurt me
You may try to challenge or confront me, but be careful not to harm me
Or urk me, cause see I'll outsmart you like the Urkel
Don't annoy or irritate me, because I will outwit you just like the character Urkel from the TV show 'Family Matters'
B-boys at the school of hard knocks, in a circle
Skilled breakdancers who have learned through difficult experiences, forming a circle to showcase their talent
Pass the sess blunt, yeah stud, you ain't know?
Pass me the marijuana joint, my friend, didn't you already know this about me?
I want to go bang, I said, bang-o, bang-oh bang-oh
I'm expressing a desire for energetic and explosive music, saying 'bang' repeatedly
Or bojangle jingle jangle on the jaw
I can make a lot of noise and commotion with my rhythmic movements and actions
Hip-hip, hooray, oh now you want to be all lovable?
After showing excitement and celebration, now you want to act sweet and affectionate?
Don't push or pull, or you'll see, I'ma wreck it out
Don't try to manipulate or control the situation, or I will destroy it completely
MC's be checkin' in but they don't be checkin' out
Other emcees might come and try to compete, but they always end up leaving defeated
I leave em out on the canvas
I leave my opponents knocked out and defeated
So click your heels twice and take your ass back to Kansas
Go away and retreat, just like Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' clicking her heels to return home to Kansas
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, LONNIE RASHID LYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Sun
I remember back when this first came out one of my friend's brothers was friends with No ID and he got a copy of his demo tape. Β They let me hold it but asked that i not make a copy of which I respected. It was dope and now wish i made a copy of it. No I.D. hardly ever gets any respect for his mic skills, only for his production and mentoring of Kanye. But he was nice on the mic.
Clifton Cameron
Love this. I was floating through the halls in 8th grade at Edgewood/West Covina High School. Still have the vinyl. NO ID on a rampage.
Cowboy
I've been into hip hop since I was a kid in the '80s and especially when I hit my teens in the 90s I had a copy of this original CD as well as so many other rare hip hop CDs unfortunately some piece of crap broke into my car and I left my CD cases overnight the one night that my car got broken into and I lost so much music
Keith Witcher
Common Two Scoops Of Raisins song is a classic. I can relate to this song because i love cereal food. My favorite cereals are Captain Crunch All Berries, Franken Berry, Cocoa Rice Krispies, Mister T of The A Team television show. Common lyrics are funny LOL. Can I Borrow A Dollar album is good. I like album pictures. I like Common. Common should've did songs with Redman, KRS One, Gang Starr, Paris, Rakim.
TheJManGames
Love the riff at 2:36
Struk Money
My breakdown is at 4:17π₯π₯π₯π₯πΆπ§
Reece Schrock
My fave off the album
ItsJR516
Raisin Bran going in my favorite cereal.
Patyiv Romani
Funtastic album.
Ian Williams
I had this entire video waiting on him. Saturday morning cereal and cartoons and pajamas etc etc...