Lonnie Rashid Lynne (born March 13, 1972), known by his stage name Common (formerly Common Sense), is an American rapper, actor, and writer. He debuted in 1992, with the album Can I Borrow a Dollar?, and gained critical acclaim with his 1994 album Resurrection. He maintained an underground following into the late 1990s. He achieved mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians.[12]
Common
Common - Ilosaarirock 2008.jpg
Lynn performing in Finland in July 2008
Born
Lonnie Rashid Lynn
March 13, 1972 (age 49)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names
Common SenseL. ListonWillie Stargell[1]
Education
Luther High School South
Alma mater
Florida A&M University (BS)
Winston-Salem State University (Hon)
Occupation
Rapper actor writer model philanthropist
Years active
1991–present[2]
Organization
Common Ground Foundation
Television
The Chi
America Divided
Hell on Wheels
Title
Doctor (Hon D.H.L.)[3]
Children
1
Parent(s)
Lonnie Lynn (father)
Awards
Full list
Musical career
Genres
Hip hop neo soul[4]
Instruments
Vocals
Labels
Loma Vista[5] Concord Think Common ARTium Def Jam Virgin EMI Warner Bros. Geffen GOOD MCA Warlock Rawkus Relativity
Associated acts
August Greene Cocaine 80s Soulquarians John Legend Kanye West Kid Cudi Pharrell will.i.am
Website
thinkcommon.com
Common's first major-label album Like Water for Chocolate (2000), received commercial success.[13] In 2003, he won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for the Erykah Badu single "Love of My Life".[14] His 2005 album Be was also a commercial success and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2006 Grammy Awards. Common received his second Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Southside" (featuring Kanye West), from his 2007 album Finding Forever. His best-of album, Thisisme Then: The Best of Common, was released in late 2007. In 2011, Common launched Think Common Entertainment, his own record label imprint, having previously released music under various other labels including Relativity, Geffen, and GOOD Music.
Common won the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Academy Award for Best Original Song, for his song, co-written & performed with John Legend, "Glory" from the 2014 film Selma, in which he co-starred as Civil Rights Movement leader James Bevel. Common's acting career also includes roles in the films Smokin' Aces, Street Kings, American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, Just Wright, Happy Feet Two, New Year's Eve, Run All Night, Being Charlie, Rex, John Wick: Chapter 2, Smallfoot and Hunter Killer. He also narrated the documentary Bouncing Cats, about one man's efforts to improve the lives of children in Uganda through hip-hop/b-boy culture.[15] He starred as Elam Ferguson on the AMC western television series Hell on Wheels.
God is Love
- Common - Leon Bridges - Jonathan McReynolds