Common Quotes

Sometimes you come from your community, and then you rise. It's like, okay, when do you get back rooted into your community? A lot of times you can rise in the ranks and maybe leave the core of where you come from.

There [are] times when I put out an album, and I don't hear my songs really on the radio a lot, and it's like, Dang, I ain't inside that world. But I'm still moving some people or touching some people.

Black people in America have come from slavery to other forms of being oppressed and there are some things that come with that - some pain and anger that come with that and we as black people have to deal with it to heal that. White people have to understand it and have some compassion toward it.

Your body is you. That's your temple. So, eating wisely helps you function for the day. If you want to look good and feel good, you gotta eat good. What you put into your temple, man, is very important. I learned that later on in life, but I started putting that into practice. I'm not perfect in my eating. I just try to live healthily, and to take care of myself so that during this lifetime I can live good.

I'm a black man that is proud to be black, and I want to help the black community, but I love all mankind.

No matter what walk of life you're from, you can appreciate the music - songs [can] resonate in your soul and your heart.

Acting is just another way to express myself as an artist. I realized if you're an artist, you're an artist and you can express that through music, through painting, through photography, through acting - this is just another way for me to express myself.

Now is our time to change the world

I appreciate this moment in time...ball players and actors be knowing my rhymes

I bathe in basslines, rinse in riffs, dry in drums

Not everyone is the same. You can't label a person just because of what they do or what they've done.

The way [Barack Obama] danced, it looked like he could dance in a circle with anyone from Chris Brown to ... well, I don't want to say Michael Jackson, because he's like the king.

I think some of the most beneficial things being an artist has brought to me in film is just you're not afraid to do things. You're used to being in front of people. That's not the problem. The biggest thing is just getting into the character and really delivering.

Now I'm on the rise, doin' business with my guys. Visions realize, music [your craft] affected lives. A gift from the skies, to be recognized, I'm keeping my eye on the people, that's the prize

Whether the people in Haiti, the young kids in Chicago that [are] going through violence, or whether you're in Atlanta or L.A. or Europe - it's not even color barriers for me - I go to where I know there's a lot of turmoil and pain.

I put God first, and strive to do my best by being a loving human being, recognizing that sometimes I make mistakes and bad choices.

When you have style, it doesn't matter what other people are saying.

I think Lil Wayne is definitely a dope rapper.

I want a better world, I want love and harmony amongst people no matter what color you are, what race or what background you come from or sexual orientation.

I started digging into parts of myself that I probably ignore and don't really get to express because Common is an artist that is conscious and is aware and is trying to put a positive energy to the world.

The possibility of an Oscar is something I definitely think about and the fact that I can even say that is just a blessing. It's something I would be incredibly honored to be a part of.

All that glisters is not gold.

Never lookin' back or too far in front of me; the present is a gift and I just wanna be.

I attribute my ability to maintain cool to God, self-esteem, and knowing my purpose in life. It can't be based on anything material or external.

I love black thighs, you sisters better realize That real hair and real eyes get real guys. So before you makeup your face, you better make up your mind.

I think and speak clearer since I cut the dairy out. I can breathe better and perform at a better rate, and my voice is clearer. I can explore different things with my voice that I couldn't do because of my meat and dairy ingestion. I am proud and blessed to be a vegetarian, everything became clear.

I embody EVERYTHING from the Godly to the party.

One of the great aspects about [Barack Obama] is who he is as a human.

I've always been asked, "What type of character would you love to play?," and I've always said a pastor.

Come close to me baby. Let your love hold you. I know this world is crazy, but what's it without you?

God created me to be an individual. And I am a Chicago dude that grew up the way I grew up and was named Rashid and was given a certain purpose and mission. So, I am rare for those reasons.

Yeah, we try to get the best musicians possible, and Justin [Robinson] is a great musician, man, a great player. You must have been surprised to see him out there, then.

To be a storyteller is to be able to speak truth, to be able to use your imagination, to use the creative gifts that the Creator has given you.

One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly.

If heaven had a height, you would be that tall

God is my guide, so I try to not judge myself too much, knowing that at the end of the day, my greatest judge will be Jehovah God.

To me to be a storyteller is you got to be able to speak the truth. You've got to be able to absorb life and take in life and be able to interpret it in a way that anybody in this room could say, "Man, that's my story. I can relate to that."

DJ Jazzy Jeff is the best DJ you can have at a party. Did you see his playlist? He has good taste.

When you see people that lived their purpose and sacrificed, who are everyday people - teachers, sanitation workers, and just people from all walks of life - that said, "I'm standing up for what I believe in. I'm standing up for my community." That reaffirms what you can do.

Man, I feel like hip-hop is - first of all, not even only with just GOOD Music, I gotta say - I think hip-hop is still alive in a strong way, man. I feel really enthused about hip-hop.

My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.

To have my name said like, "Common and John Legend, Golden Globe nominees," is one of the greatest achievements I've ever had as an artist, as a person.

It's hard to see blessings in a violent culture

We obviously feel destiny and purpose and do what we do, but within that are ways to help others and to inspire others and to support and encourage people.

Teachers give so much to the future and to youth. So, when you see somebody make that type of sacrifice towards work - just parents in general, what they got to give to their kids is a lot - I'm inspired, man, to give and help those who didn't or don't have opportunities. And even those that may have some opportunities, [to] help them achieve their dreams.

When I did the album Electric Circus, not only was it not commercially received. But even the critics and hip-hop community was like "What is this?" At that moment, I could've been written off. But I had to believe because I really love what I do. I'm passionate about it. If 12 million recognize it, that's beautiful. If 12,000 do, that's beautiful. But I'm always going to put my heart and soul in it and I'm going to shoot for the stars and go for the highest levels of recognition and creativity. I definitely doubted myself at the time. But it always come back to believing what I do.

I was able to meet young black people from all over the country who were focused on education and on elevating themselves.I'm endorsing and supporting this initiative because I believe college is a blessing, and for young black people coming out of areas that are struggling ... for them to see college as their future, that's a blessing.

When I see people of my likeness, or who are somebody that I feel connected to, doing something great, I fee like I can do it. It gives me some hope and vision.