Enlightened rapper Common knows his way around Houston
It’s not the most absurd of things that Common, the acclaimed rapper and actor from the South Side of Chicago, knows all about Mattress Mack, the Houston furniture mogul.
Common, 50, knows a lot about the world, even Houston.
He has been performing here since 1995, has played with the Geto Boys and has worked with Houston natives Robert Glasper and bassist Burniss “Boom” Travis II, both products of the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Then there’s comedian Mohammed “Mo” Amer, an immigrant who grew up in Alief who has several hit comedy specials, including “Mo Amer Mohammed in Texas,” on Netflix.
Common did the show’s musical score.
“I didn’t grow up in Houston, but I know about Mattress Mack from Mo’s show,” Common said. “The show is phenomenal, and it’s got so much heart. It made me recognize that Houston is more diverse than I thought.”
Like Houston, Common might surprise people, especially those with a cliché impression of rappers — or Hollywood movie stars.
He gives thanks to God for everything, he strives to inspire people with his craft and he truly believes life is good.
“I always remember I’m purposed to do something in the will of God and seek the most high,” he said. “I also recognize, man, if you choose, life can be happy. Life can be joyful. Life can be fun. So I have to constantly make those choices, even on those days when I wake up and feel like something doesn’t feel good.”
Those days are few, it seems. Common recently performed with the Houston Symphony for the second time (the first was in 2019). Even with accolades as the first rapper to win Emmy, Grammy and Oscar awards, performing in front of a live audience is his place of comfort.
“I love performing because I get to really express myself musically with all these incredible musicians. I can see the joy, the fun and the good times that people are having,” he said.
“Music is one of those things. It really is like a true gift from God that allows us to connect all across the world. I think you get people from different walks of life connected through the (Houston Symphony) orchestra, and then people connect to my music. It’s a meeting of two worlds in a great way.”
You get the feeling that Common is that morning person who wakes up smiling, feeling blessed to start another day and grateful for another chance to stretch his creative wings.
It’s not uncommon for a rapper to move beyond the mic to star on the big screen. Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Will Smith and 50
Cent expanded their focus to become successful in Hollywood. Common first made a cameo in 2002’s “Brown Sugar” and later starred as Queen Latifah’s beau in “Just Wright” in 2010. He also starred in “Selma” in 2014, and he and singer John Legend won the Oscar for best original song for “Glory.”
“When I first started acting, I felt a divine expression — like I did with music,” he said. “To be honest, my goal was to win an Oscar for acting. I never thought it would be for music, but I love the plan that God had because winning for ‘Glory’ was probably one of the greatest moments in my life.”
Another great moment was meeting his idol, actor and civil-rights activist Harry Belafonte, in 2007. Common’s barber ended up giving Belafonte a haircut. That meeting sparked a deep friendship between the two men. They collaborated on projects, and Belafonte later narrated one of Common’s live performances.
In June, Common received the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The award, which was presented to him by actor Robert De Niro, is given to people who use storytelling and the arts to bring change in their communities. Common was honored for his work through his Common Ground Foundation, which empowers high school students in underserved communities, and Imagine Justice, which advocates for social change.
“You see what Harry Belafonte has done in history and who he’s connected with. He’s known Dr. King, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Sidney Poitier. He’s a walking legend. Harry Belafonte is what you aim to be. You aim to be as impactful and sincere and committed as he is. So that award meant a lot.”
Of Common’s 14 studio albums, “Like Water for Chocolate,” which earned him his first gold record in 2000, is still his favorite. The album’s cover featured Gordon Parks’ photo “1956 Alabama,” of a young Black woman dressed for church, drinking from a “colored only” fountain. The album, which was named for his favorite 1992 movie, closes with spoken word recited by Common’s father, Lonnie “Pops” Lynn. (Common’s real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn.)
The album, he said, came at time when he felt like he was coming into his own. He had recently moved from Chicago to New York and was surrounded by creatives, absorbing the energy that swirls in such circles.
“I was starting to take care of myself more, eating healthier and learning more about life,” he said. “You get to a point sometimes where it’s like, ‘OK, your parents have given you this. You’ve discovered these things, too, in your youth and high school days,’ but you get to the point in adulthood where you’re like, ‘Who am I? What do I want to be?’ ”
Those questions are still part of his evolution.
He recently finished shooting Apple’s dystopian drama “Wool,” a series starring Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Robbins, on location in London. The synergy of the cast was beautiful, he said, and getting a break away from the United States was the icing.
“You get to breathe a little more just from being away from the tension and conflict we’ve been experiencing here with gun violence and fighting over everything. It was a good breather.”
It was also a break from the tabloids, who find fodder in Common’s love life, as with many celebrities. He’s been linked to many well-known Black stars, from Serena Williams to Tiffany Haddish. Now there are rumors that he’s dating singer and actress Jennifer Hudson.
But Common’s business is his business. His focus is on his craft, he said.
“When I face things, like the paparazzi, or if there’s somebody gossiping, or just even with the ups and downs of being in a career, I just remember what I’m purposed to do, and I remember why I’m doing it. I remember the love that I have for it. That allows me to move forward and do it with hunger,” he said.
“We’re human beings. As much as we have conflict and we get into our feelings about things, we are created in the image of God. Mostly everybody wants good. If you don’t, you’re just off balance or something.”