Way Back: Be (2005)
Common released his sixth studio album, Be, on May 24th 2005.
After releasing the critically-panned Electric Circus in 2002, Common was dangerously close to falling off. He’d had about as good of a run as a backpack rapper can ask for, complete with commercials, a Grammy, and a notable beef.
When Common needed to resurrect his sound in the 90’s he sought production from fellow Chicagoan, No I.D. In need of a similar rejuvenation about 10 years later he linked with No I.D.’s most popular mentee, Kanye West. He produced all but two of the eleven tracks and the album would be released on his then-new G.O.O.D. music imprint. Common made the most of Kanye’s soulful samples and budding celebrity to put out one of his best projects to date.
Common’s Be was GOOD Music’s second release, following John Legend’s debut in 2004.
The title of the project is a nod to the present tense, and the introductory title track prepares listeners for that mission statement.
The video doubled as a Jordan Brand ad and had cameos from a young Carmelo Anthony, Terrell Owens, and Quentin Richardson.
“Go!”, “Faithful”, and “Love Is…” continue Common’s dive into his lady’s man persona. In addition to his sensual flow on “Go!”, he explores the difficulty some men have in showing love on the latter tracks. Check out this piece of the John Legend-assisted “Faithful”.
And this was a test that was bigger than him
Some believe its the nature that is given to men
He had a good gig, a wife, a kid, a decent home
One reason or another couldn't find peace at home
Common never forgot his boom bap roots and gave some hard-hitting bars on “The Corner” and “Chi City”. His delivery on “The Corner” is measured and sometimes delayed like a spoken word poet.
It’s probably safe to say that the average Common fan comes to him for the conscious verses, and he delivers that on “The Food”, “Real People, “They Say”, and “It’s Your World”. “They Say” is a fresh take on rumors and how people gossip, Kanye brings one of his better verses too The others address struggle within the community, but also having the perseverance to push through.
They say "life is a game," so I play hard
Writin’ for my life 'cause I'm scared of a day job
They say "Sef kept the hood together"
I tell the young, "We can't play the hood forever"
“Testify” is a detailed foray into the story of a backstabbing lover that executes a master plan to get rich. The lyrics were so cinematic that they fit perfectly into a star-studded music video featuring Wood and Steve Harris, Taraji Henson, and Bill Duke.
The album comes with 3 distinct styles, each one showing the different personas that Com has developed over the years. There’s the b-boy, the lover, and the social activist. Critics noted how this album was much more sonically conservative than his previous efforts, but that helped to create a near flawless project, even if it isn’t often regarded as his best. That’s about as high a compliment as you can pay a rapper. If consistency is what Common was after, then consistently ill is exactly what he managed on Be.
