Album Preview: Common's "The Dreamer, The Believer"
By Rob Kenner | Oct 26, 2011 | 11:27 am | Permalink
When Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. isn’t starring in a major motion picture, penning a bestselling book, or dropping gems at the White House while driving Fox News pundits into fits of rage, he’s actually a pretty good rapper. Although he’s become famous for all sorts of things, Common remains one of the best pure emcees in hip-hop, still spitting that raw after two decades in the game.
With his new album, The Dreamer, The Believer,, the Chicago-getter is back to doing what he does best: flowing over rugged breakbeats. The entire 10-track album—plus a few bonus cuts—was produced by No I.D., the man responsible for the bulk of 1992’s Can I Borrow A Dollar? and 1994’s Resurrection, which was released exactly 17 years ago this week.
Common’s ninth studio album isn’t scheduled to drop some time in December, but he held a private listening session last Thursday at New York’s Roc The Mic studios. While his lovely assistant poured libations of red and rose, Common treated Complex to a sneak preview of most of the tracks from his Warner Music debut, rapping along with so much energy and passion that it was obvious how much he loves the new project.
“This album is some of the best music I’ve been a part of in my life,” he said. “We’ve got something that we believe is real special.” But will he make a believer out of you? Keep clicking through to hear Complex’s first impressions...
Written by Rob Kenner (@boomshots)
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Proto October 26th, 2011 at 01:13 PM
I'm sure it was a great album, but only 10 songs though? Cmon son.
Cameron October 26th, 2011 at 01:59 PM
BE was a classic album and only 11 tracks. The new Roots album will be 10 tracks as well. I don't have a problem with it as long as it is quality. Keep it up Com!
Johnson October 26th, 2011 at 01:59 PM
10 tracks all produced by DIoN is more than enough.
Patrice Langué October 26th, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Big ups, Mr. Kenner. Always a quality read when you grace the keyboard.
common October 26th, 2011 at 03:05 PM
there is only 9 tracks listed :s
Game October 26th, 2011 at 03:27 PM
''[...] a sneak preview of most of the tracks [...]''. When will people learn to read?
Common October 27th, 2011 at 09:05 AM
My apologies
HipHop October 26th, 2011 at 03:22 PM
These are the type of articles why I love complex. Thanks and respect for this.
Mr Flamboyant October 26th, 2011 at 04:10 PM
This is pure greatness just reading this preview. He's gone back to the essence of The City of Wind... the Chi-Town Nas so to speak. And Thank God for returning to NO I.D. for the soundscape. One of the very few projects that I'm highly geeked about (This, Nas - Life Is Good, Roc Marciano - Reloaded, Mobb Deep, Prodigy of Mobb Deep). And to you idiots crying about "It's only 10 tracks"... The GOAT Hip Hop LP was only 10. That would be Illmatic by the great Nasir Jones. So stop trippin'. Less is more most of the time, depending on the nature and direction of the LP. I'm just glad to see the fellow Midwestern return and get away from Kanye. And BE was not a classic. It was solid. This should be a classic...heck it will be classic #4 (Resurrection, One Day It Will All Make Sense, Like Water For Chocolate, The Dreamer/The Believer). 3 by NO I.D. and 1 by the late great J Dilla (plus the Soulquarians) and a track by Preemo. God is great. Life is good.
Shades Of Reality October 26th, 2011 at 05:25 PM
I have to co-sign this whole statement. Can't wait for ''The Dreamer, ''The Believer''.
Hannibal October 26th, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Be was not a classic? Sure sounded like one...go listen again
Zo Mathew October 27th, 2011 at 02:14 PM
It says 10 tracks plus a few bonus cuts, I won't mind at all if they're the 2 Cocaine80's tracks that Comm has featured on. They would probably fit in well sonically, and I'm glad that James Fauntleroy sings a hook on 1 of the songs here.
Certifiedholic November 3rd, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Yeah, pretty sure BE was a classic. From lyrics, to production.