By Music Correspondent, Emmial C. Fields




 

Universal Mind Control Common
Geffen Records

 

 

 
 
Universal Mind Control is the new release from the smooth and stylish rapper with that sophisticated Chicago style. Common is aggressive but not scary with the messages and stories he rhymes for us. There is not a need to prove his masculinity or that he may be hood enough to stand firmly in the Hip Hop world.

There should be a bronze or even stone statue of this man placed where African American men frequent most, so there is a constant reminder of what a real man is supposed to look like. This collaboration with Pharell (N.E.R.D.) overhauls what we know of Hip Hop.

 

 
The recurring 80's rhythms and synthesizers in "Universal Mind Control," work so well with the educational and non-threatening rhymes that they begin to oil the gears of the brain enough to promote considerable thought. Don't think that Common is too stuffy to get down, because Universal Mind Control is designed to move both body and mind as in the duet with Cee-Lo (Goodie Mob and Gnarles Barkley).

Common's food for thought in "Changes," will not leave you bloated or heavy, but lifted and empowered. This mature style of Hip Hop is not new to the scene since we have heard this type of poetic guidance from past leaders of verse like KRS-One and Chuck-D (to name a few). It is nice to see the torch carried on and that Common is staying true to himself in the process. This is CD is fun and one you can play to get you started on a road trip, alone or with a few extra passengers.

 
 Please listen to: What A World by Common
 

 
Check out these other releases from Common:
Electric Circus
MCA (2002)

Be
Geffen Records (2005)

Thisisme Then:
The Best Of Common
Red Int / Red Ink (2007)

Finding Forever
Universal Group (2007)

Common's website: Common