Common (rapper)

Common (rapper)
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Name	Common
Caption	Common performing in 2019
Birth name	Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.
Birth date	13 March 1972
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, actor, writer, activist
Years active	1991–present
Associated acts	A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Kanye West, J Dilla, Erykah Badu
Website	thinkcommon.com

Common (rapper). Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., known professionally as Common, is an American rapper, actor, and activist from Chicago. Emerging in the early 1990s, he is celebrated for his introspective, socially conscious lyrics and has become a pivotal figure in alternative hip hop music. His career spans acclaimed albums, award-winning acting roles in film and television, and significant philanthropic work focused on youth empowerment and social justice.

Early life and education

Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. was born on March 13, 1972, on the city's South Side. His father, Lonnie Lynn Sr., was a former ABA basketball player for the Denver Nuggets and youth counselor, while his mother, Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines, was an educator. He was raised in the Calumet Heights neighborhood and attended Luther High School South before receiving a scholarship to Florida A&M University. He initially studied business administration but left after two years to fully pursue a career in music, returning to Chicago.

Music career

Common first gained attention under the name Common Sense, releasing his debut album, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, in 1992. His breakthrough came with the influential sophomore album Resurrection (1994), featuring the seminal single "I Used to Love H.E.R.". After a legal dispute with the band Common Sense, he shortened his name. He achieved mainstream success and critical acclaim in the 2000s through collaborations with producer Kanye West on albums like Be (2005) and Finding Forever (2007), both of which won Grammy Awards. His work, often featuring collaborations with artists like J Dilla, Erykah Badu, and John Legend, is noted for its jazz-inflected production and lyrical depth. He has won three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("Glory" from the film ''Selma"), and an Emmy Award.

Acting career

Common has built a parallel and successful career as an actor, appearing in a wide range of film and television projects. His early film roles included parts in Smokin' Aces (2006) and American Gangster (2007). He gained further recognition for his performance as a civil rights leader in Selma (2014) and as a slick criminal in John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017). On television, he had a starring role in the Fox series Empire and led the HBO film The Wizard of Lies (2017). He also starred in and produced the Showtime series The Chi, which is set in his hometown of Chicago.

Activism and philanthropy

Deeply committed to social change, Common founded the Common Ground Foundation in the early 2000s, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering high school students from underserved communities through mentorship, creative arts, and educational programs. He has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, partnering with organizations like the Innocence Project and #Cut50. His activism is integral to his art, as evidenced by his work on the soundtrack for Selma and his advocacy for Black Lives Matter. He has also served as an ambassador for Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign.

Personal life

Common has been linked romantically to several high-profile figures, including singer Erykah Badu and tennis champion Serena Williams. He is a practicing Buddhist and has spoken extensively about the importance of meditation and spirituality in his life. A lifelong resident of Chicago, he maintains strong ties to the city's cultural and civic life. He is also an author, having published a memoir, One Day It'll All Make Sense (2011), and a collection of personal reflections.

Discography

* Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992) * Resurrection (1994) * One Day It'll All Make Sense (1997) * Like Water for Chocolate (2000) * Electric Circus (2002) * Be (2005) * Finding Forever (2007) * Universal Mind Control (2008) * The Dreamer/The Believer (2011) * Nobody's Smiling (2014) * Black America Again (2016) * Let Love (2019) * A Beautiful Revolution (Pt. 1) (2020) * A Beautiful Revolution (Pt. 2) (2021)

Category:American rappers Category:American male actors Category:Musicians from Chicago