June 6, 2014 One For The Road

Common, ‘Kingdom’

Common - the man who did more than most to bring flowery, conscious, backpack rap to the mainstream - is starting a new era in his musical career. He has signed to Def Jam's ARTium imprint (also home to several influential voices including 2Chains and Big Sean), which is helmed by his long-time collaborator No ID, with whom Common has been working again on his forthcoming release, "Nobody's Smiling," a concept album by the Chicago rapper entirely focused on his hometown's current epidemic of violence. The newest single, "Kingdom," gives a hint of that story, and features a video by Hype Williams.