The Land Of The Humble And Proud

Common “Speak My Piece”

I had no idea Common even put out a record this summer until I started doing research for the forthcoming survey mixes. This happens every time, and it’s one of the reasons I do this sort of thing – for whatever reason, Common’s record wasn’t on my radar, and I don’t remember PR pushing it to me, and I don’t remember anyone I know ever talking about it. And yet, it’s excellent, maybe the best thing he’s ever done. No I.D. produced the entire record, and his often dissonant and glitchy tracks bring out something interesting in Common. The more abrasive sound contrasts nicely with Common’s polished style and warm voice, and the abrasive qualities in the music suits the darker tone of his lyrics, which are mostly concerned with the extreme gang violence in Chicago over the past several years. Common isn’t preachy on the record, but his sorrow is real, and even permeates a relatively cheery and boastful track like “Speak My Piece.” It makes sense that a dark, singular record by an aging rapper might not be the sexiest topic in hip-hop in 2014, but it’s an album that’s worthy of some attention.

Buy it from Amazon.