Common

Common’s intelligent, expertly crafted, politically conscious rhymes have made him one of the most influential MCs in hip hop. Born Lonnie Rashied Lynn Jr., he emerged from Chicago’s hip hop underground as Common Sense. His classic ode to hip hop, “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” sparked a feud with West Coast rapper Ice Cube, who took offense to Common’s critique of gangsta rap. He has since collaborated with Q Tip, Lauryn Hill, De La Soul, Mos Def, The Roots, and Kanye West, who signed him to his G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Common won his first Grammy Award for “Love of My Life,” which featured his ex-girlfriend Erykah Badu. Common also branched out into acting, appearing in Just Wright with Queen Latifah, Date Night with Steve Carrell, and American Gangster with Denzel Washington.