Common was standing at the crossroads following the mixed critical reception and commercial misfire of his fifth album, 2002’s highly-anticipated -- and equally as polarizing -- psychedelic-steeped ...

Close, But No Coronation: Common turns out solid, enjoyable yet over-hyped hip-hop record Fair enough; as I mention above, Common is at home amidst the structured black-music history lessons Dee and ...

On the album's 20th anniversary, it's much easier to recognize Be as a crucial intersection record — not simply for Common, on his way to becoming rap's hokey, well-intentioned uncle, but for hip-hop ...