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After years of being a free agent, Common has found a new label home owned by a dear friend. The Chicago rhymer has inked a deal with No I.D.‘s imprint Artium Records via Def Jam Records.
This partnership marks a collaborative reunion between Common and No I.D., who have previously worked together on Com’s four stellar albums: ‘Can I Borrow a Dollar’ (1992), ‘Resurrection’ (1994), ‘One Day It’ll All Make Sense’ (1997) and ‘The Dreamer/The Believer’ (2011).
The dynamic duo will now work closely together to release ‘Nobody’s Smiling,’ Common’s 10th solo album. The set’s first single is the powerful sociopolitical track ‘Kingdom‘ featuring Vince Staples. On the song, Com and Staples rap about the violence that’s crippling Chicago and the citizen’s spiritual well-being.
“Common and I have a long history of making great music together,” said No I.D. “His rich legacy and robust talent are perfect additions to the Def Jam family. It’s particularly significant that he’s coming under our roof for his 10th album as a matured artist and cultural ambassador. It’s a tremendous boost for the spirit of Def Jam as well as the world of hip-hop.”
True indeed.
For Common, signing with Atrium/Def Jam has become his full-circle moment in hip-hop.
“I’m honored to team up with No I.D. and be a part of the Artium and Def Jam family,” he said. “Creating this album and signing to Def Jam feels like a new beginning for me. I feel like a new artist because I created this album with the purpose to give back to my city and to the culture of hip hop. Def Jam is part of the foundation of hip hop and being able to work with No I.D. was returning to my foundation now with new energy and new hunger.”
Congratulations to Common. We can’t wait to hear his new album, ‘Nobody’s Smiling.’
