On Sunday, renowned poet Maya Angelou criticized Common for using the N-word on "The Dreamer," a song they collaborated on for his new album The Dreamer/The Believer. During an interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez, Common responded to the controversy, saying that he spoke with Angelou and that they agreed to disagree, but that there's no beef between them.

“I talked to her this morning and I talked to her before," he said. "She’s like a mother to me in many ways. She definitely doesn’t like the N-word, but I've expressed to her before that I used it so we were able to agree to disagree. She’s enthused about being on the album, she feels grateful to be on the album. I’m super-grateful to have her on the album.”

Common said he had to "humble himself" and accept the criticism from the legendary poet. He also said that she's going to release a statement to clarify her previous remarks.

“You just gotta take it. But that’s like my mother, but I got nothing but love. She’s actually supposed to make a statement today, letting people know,” he said. “It’s a great thing, because she knows that sometimes, writers and people coming from different angles can separate good people. And it’s like, nah, that ain’t happening. We ain’t gonna let you separate us.”

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