Common's "The People" Revives the True Essence of Hip-Hop

One of my favorite songs out right now is Common's "The People" the first single off his Finding Forever CD scheduled to be released July 31st, 2007. I'm really anticipating Finding Forever, Common's 7th album, because I believe that Common as a MC, represents the best that Hip-Hop has to offer. If "The People" is any indication, I expect Finding Forever to be a classic.

I've watched the video for "The People" probably over 20 times. What struck me about the video is how simple but powerful it is. The video follows Common, rapping while walking the streets of Chicago giving and receiving much love from everyday people, many who undoubtedly consider Common a hometown kid who made good. Music videos like "The People" are rarely made anymore. Now artists either have big budgets in which to make over-the-top circuses filmed in exotic places or they create backyard/on-the-corner type music videos that too often portray their 'hood and its people (especially the half-naked, booty shaking females) in stereotypical fashion.

Now, I'm an honest guy and I'll say straight up that I don't always mind watching attractive, thick, big-bodied females doing what they do. What can I say, I'm a man. But that same ol', same ol' display lacks creativity and originality. And we know that in most cases it lacks good taste. The music video for "The People" isn't an artistic masterpiece but it's real; it's authentic. Common does in the video what I'm sure he does in real life; walk the streets of Chicago, his city, the place where he was born and bred; the place that shaped him into what he is today. I'm willing to bet that there are many rappers (some who claim to be tough and hard) that can't walk the streets of their 'hood cameras or no cameras.

Common has positive energy and spirit. Common receives respect and shown much love as he walks the streets of Chicago shooting the music video for "The People". I believe that the level of respect and love would have the same intensity if the cameras were not there and it was just another day in the Windy City. Common's new song is quite fitting because he is indeed a man of the people. He seems like such an ordinary guy simply blessed with an extraordinary talent. He doesn't come across arrogant and he seems quite humble. He's a leader and an ambassador for true Hip-Hop music and expression.

The music video truly compliments "The People" featuring singer Dwele and produced by Kanye West (who in the song Common calls "the new Primo"), a brilliant song about the "unsung heroes", everyday people living in the struggle trying to survive and find their way in life. In some ways, this song reminds me of Mele Mel's legendary classic, "The Message". To all of the Hip-Hop historians: Don't get all bent out of shape! It may seem that by making the comparison I'm going a little too far but let me make my point.

"The Message", arguably, is Hip-Hop's biggest and most important record because it was one of Hip-Hop's first records and revealed to the world the struggles and frustrations of living in an American ghetto during a time when this country was supposedly prospering under the leadership of President Ronald Regan. Really, that record is Hip-Hop, a culture and its music created out of the everyday struggle. "The Message" is the true essence of Hip-Hop and Common's "The People" is the revival of that true essence.

In verse 2, Common borrows a little from Jay-Z (who by the way, "truthfully wanna rhyme like Common Sense...") when he says:
"Can't leave rap alone, the streets need me
Hunger in they eyes is, what seems to feed me"

He goes on to end that verse by proclaiming:
"I'm keeping my eyes on the people-that's the prize."

This song demonstrates Common's love for the real streets-the kind of people who he sees: "riding in the Regal/trying to stay legal".

What I notice in the music video is how mature Common looks; he's matured not only as a man in terms of age and life experience but also musically as a MC/artist. The experience of life and living is the source from which the growth and maturity in Common's art comes from.

Common's been in the rap game for 15 years! I was in high school in '92 when he dropped his debut album "Can I Borrow a Dollar?". He has consistently grown as an artist from his first album to now with the anticipated release of his 7th album, Finding Forever. Common continues to speak as a voice for everyday people and his music reaches out to touch the lives of life's unsung heroes.

"The People" is a powerful record that proves that Hip-Hop shines the brightest when profound MCs like Common are in the spotlight.