Common
Common
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMusician
Date of Birth13 March 1972
CountryUnited States of America
freer opened
Doing acting opened up other creative outlets; it made me feel freer as an artist.
align best felt sharpening situation steel throughout work
One thing I have throughout my career, it felt like I did my best to align myself with quality artists, quality work, and it is a situation of steel sharpening steel.
inspired music
I can only speak for myself - there were times when I just wasn't inspired by creating music.
ripples
The impact of a conscious artist is necessary, and it ripples through the world.
divine god knew obviously
Obviously God knew I wasn't going to make it to the NBA as much as I probably believed. This was divine order.
certain describe influence life mom obviously powerful voice
My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life, and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.
came few influence lawyer maybe media movies obama politics since wants
Movies and media really can influence us. A few years ago, my daughter wanted to be a dancer; since Obama came into office, she now wants to be a lawyer and get into politics and maybe even be president.
actress conquer directed featured hill job life name nervous played remember song videos
Technically, my first acting job was in one of my videos for a song called 'Retrospect For Life,' which Lauryn Hill directed and featured an actress by the name of N'bushe Wright, who played my girlfriend who was about to be pregnant. I remember being so nervous about it, but now I feel like I can conquer the world with it.
broad love loving people
This is a broad thought, but loving yourself and having the support so that you can love yourself is the most important thing that young people in Chicago can get.
conscious labeled throughout time
When I started thinking about it, I was like, 'OK, if throughout time I get labeled as a conscious artist, I'll be very much celebrated, in a way, and honored.'
beats incredible
It was incredible to have J Dilla in your dining room making beats - it was one of the greatest experiences I've had.
music types
Me as an artist, I've ventured off into doing all types of music. I'll do a jazz album, you know what I mean.
america build built ourselves
What America was built on was being able to say, 'Hey, we're going to come in and use our resources to build for ourselves and our communities and build around that. We're not going to depend on others.'
artist came chicago rap side south wanting
I came from the South Side of Chicago wanting to be a rap artist and make videos.