And exactly because of that is why I think he will not be forgotten. Pure consumer mainstream music is the one that gets easily forgotten with time, Common's legacy doesn't come from that. I don't think he will be remembered as one of the bigs but he'll be respected and taken as reference.
This. I can't say I know much about Hip Hop, but it doesn't get much better than Black Star and Common in Respiration, that's just a classic, and Common has his share of those.
People didn't know that Common was a rapper before an actor? I never heard Drake's music nor do I care only know him from the Sprite commercial.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Yh3PBlFLvQ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Don't act like you don't dig on Hammer... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yF1QRLFa_TQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Modern rap = Tween Wave... I won't disgrace the name of hip hop, by calling any of this stuff hip hop.
I gotta disagree totally. I made the same conclusion and I'm not one dissapointed with rap today. I'm one of those that believe the majority of people that say rap today is terrible are people who only listen to what's on the radio and are too lazy to source for good rap. I listen to some Drake, but I'm not as "all in" as you are. I listen to the other new cats out there-Wale, Currensy, Kenrick, Krit but I also listened to Common and as someone that has actually listened to Common's albums and Drake's albums, my take might be slightly more valid than that of one that just ignored Common and never listened to an album.
Probably already mentioned. but still, this song defines this 'Beef' Spoiler <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C99iG4HoO1c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Common forgotten? You do realize that his song "I Used to Love H.E.R" is to some one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time right? Drake is the one that will be forgotten. The 'Hot' thing hardly stands the test of time. Common to many is a legend, even listen to Drake's diss he refers to him as one. I don't even hate on Drake though, but these guys are usually forgotten 5-10 years from now. It's the hip-hop fans that will keep Common alive, the Drake fans will move onto the next hot pop rapper or sound.
Common will not be forgotten, he is a Hip Hop great, just because he isn't mainstream doesen't mean people won't remember him. There's a lot of people who are satisfied with Nicki Minaj esque radio music... but there's still a lot people that know and listen to real Hip Hop. Jay vs Nas is a bad comparison. They're both proven legends. Drake is a great entertainer, he knows what the people like. However, Common is someone you don't want to rap beef with, cause he'll kill all your cred as an MC. Ask Cube.
Kids these days don't know Cube was a rapper? Even I knew that and I started listening to rap/hiphop in high school (early 2000). I was talking to a nephew's friend, who is in college now, about MC Hammer and the kid was totally clueless. Then I'm like what about Vanilla Ice? same result. smh. I guess I was too busy listening to crap like firehouse and bon jovi and some other stuff I don't dare to admit to notice rap.
Since when is going mainstream a negative??.. The dude didn't have to put in "work" like most artists because his "mixtape" was good enough to go mainstream.. The problem I have with "hip hop purists" is they penalize these youngstas for having success in a short time... Theres's only a few artists that would rather keep it "underground" than go mainstream... Very few... But that's there choice..They then look down on these youngstas for "getting money"(which is the focus) and dumbing it down. That's why I respect and a big fan of Bun B and Jay Z... They know people such as Drake are talented and are taking hip hop to a different place... I do agree that "being hot" doesn't make you a respected artist..Look at 50 Cent... No one would argue he was near the best during his time but he had it on lock... His stupidity is what irked fans more than his lack of quality music... When you take something that is "said to be only this way" to the next level and be successful, it rubs "veterans" the wrong way.. Folks that think that makes me a "new school" cat are clueless... I'm 34 and have 3 older brothers that constantly played rap that I quoted on my book covers..lol.. I consider myself an old school fan that appreciates good music... It just so happens I consider Drake good music.. Again it's all opinions so I consider this an informative debate...No matter how 1-sided, I see it...Cause Im right regardless...lmao
As someone who's been on the inside and seen both sides, a few thoughts: Common > Drake in any sort of lyrical warfare. Please stop any and all discussion about this. Now beyond this, commercially, yes of course Drake music will make more money than Common music. Drake music is manufactured, built in a factory to produce $$. Common doesn't need to manufacture his stuff from a factory in hip hop china with the same producers, tempos, slang, etc. Common can afford to be original and stay truer to hip hop roots because of his long career, various movie deals outside of hip hop, etc. Common is as much a "hip hop legend" as others such as Talib, Mos Def and others who still stick to the "social conscious rap" of the 80s/early 90s. Just read the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_(entertainer) and stop the nonsense with talking about Common not being influential or being less known than Drake. Maybe if you're 15 and listen to the radio. Anybody who knows hip hop will give Common his due; it's impossible not too. Another thing that may possibly also tilt the perspective, is the choices that the MD/PD (Music Directors/Programming Directors) make at the radio stations in the south. Having worked with radio, djs, and artists in all parts of the nation, there is definitely a strong component of regional interest displayed on local radio that does filter out the national perspective sometimes. This may be why some who have heard more Drake are giving him more recognition, just because they haven't heard Common. Drake gets southern plays because he's top 40 and affiliated with Wayne. That's all. They both have their respective places in the hip hop hallways. Drake was one of the fastest rises from mediocrity to mainstream (albeit, with some help from Wayne). The mixtapes he put out before signing were refreshing, and brought hip hop and r&b together in a way that had rarely been done before. Similar to J.Cole -- another young, lyrically talented guy who put out great mixtapes before signing. However with both, they face the pressures most hip hop newcomers do -- sell out from what your "roots" are in order to pursue the fame, $$ -- the reality is that the 12-24 age group likes the poppy bubblegum stuff that plays on the radio nowadays. That makes money. That's why you see guys like J.Cole go from intelligent verses to bars like he laid on "Party" with Beyonce. You have to at some point make sacrifices as an artist in order to pursue the almighty dollar. Drake has had to do the same. He has talent, I respect his talent, but its his repeated use of the same formula that bores me. However this isn't all his fault; he needs to incrementally stack paper of his own until he can branch out using the typical hip hop industry power scheme: 1) put out mixtapes --> get attention 2) get attention --> get signed 3) get signed --> make pennies off your songs 4) make pennies off your songs --> make dollars off your concerts 5) make dollars off your concerts --> start your own smaller label/imprint underneath your parent label/imprint and/or sign your own artists 6) make money off your new artist (who starts back at step 1 again) 7) with your new money, branch off into other industies (film, vodka, clothing) 8) $$$$$ Profit $$$$$ Find any hip hop artist who has been successful in the last 20 years and maintained his success and you'll find that formula. Right now Drizzy is in step 5 of that, and "The Weeknd" is his pet project that he's attempting to turn into step 6. As far as "hip hop" is concerned, this battle will hurt Drake if he doesn't play it correctly. He should've just stepped away, not replied, and treated Common like an older brother and shown respect. His reply was arrogant and foolish. It's going to make him look bad in the history books of hip hop. Common's reply was less of a reply and more of a tease. He's putting out the bait to see if Drake bites and comes out from behind features and puts out a direct hit rather than subliminals. When/If that time comes, Common will ether him. That is not a prediction, it's a guarantee. Edit: Also should add that my sources do confirm what pretty much is out now on every hip hop blog -- it's a Serena inspired beef.
Common could have done better than her except for the career success department. Anyone care to elaborate on Drake's comments about her?
you guys who think common is better is better because of substance just don't get it. common may rap about better subjects but his lyricism is no where what it used to be. Drake's lyrics are better as far as right now and he's just the next level. common is old. sorry
