switchburn

Common was one of my favorite performers at last year’s Austin City Limits Festival- one of the few performers I get the lock-n-stare-you’re-so-awesome look for. At the time I was doing a promotion with those silly Kanye glasses, and bribed every highschool freshman/urban hippie/rich hipster with a pair til I was up front (thank you Mr. West). The show felt more like a sermon than a concert, and Common was the preacher. Before Kanye’s performance this year at Lollapalooza I hadn’t seen an artist deliver with so much emotional connection to his lyrics. Even with some of his flavored party jams- his intensity is refreshing and igniting, even with his debut release Can I Borrow A Dollar being more than 15 years old.

As one of the most influential lyricists out there, he truly defines the word artist, and if you haven’t listened much I suggest you start. Go to the show and you may just realize how many songs of his you didn’t know you knew. Tickets are on sale now for the 9/11 show at Stubb’s, $25-$28. [Buy Tickets]

Common - Drivin’ Me Wild featuring Lily Allen

Common - Southside featuring Kanye West

Common - The Light

Common - I Used to Love H.E.R.

[stream] Common vs. Kanye West Battle 1996 (is that a “10 Crack Commandments” sample?!)

Oh, and did we mention The Toadies drop their new album today?

Tags: common, kanye west, mp3