Common’s got an album coming later this month. And during his New York press run, he yapped it up on Combat Jack’s podcast. Below is a synopsis of their conversation.
90 minutes wasn’t enough time. On the eve of releasing his tenth album ‘Nobody’s Smiling’, Common revisits his days growing up in Chicago, being inspired by Michael Jordan, house music, Chicago mayor Harold Washington, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and how this album addresses the current plight of black on black crime in the windy city. Also, what it means to reunite with No I.D., being haunted by the ghost of Emmett Til and the very real and deep mystical powers of the phenomena known as “Badu Box”. So much wasn’t covered, 90 minutes wasn’t enough, but you won’t hear this type of Common interview anywhere else on the planet.
Listen to Common’s interview where he also talks about his new album, Chicago rappers, and more below.