Arguably the handsomest, nicest rapper, Common could breathe fire back in the day. Only one example of those origins is included here: “The Bitch in Yoo,” a 1996 upbraiding of Ice Cube, when Common was Common Sense. The last five albums are represented, plus a duet with Erykah Badu, “Love of My Life.”
A recent highlight is “Drivin’ Me Wild” with Lily Allen, a blizzard of references concluding “Love is not a mystery, it’s everything.” But just one track from the luminous Like Water for Chocolate?! Fans are bound to find fault with the selection. Newbies will be schooled well.
This article appears in Jul 22-28, 2010.