Common

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Common

AKA Lonnie Rashied Lynn, Jr.

Born: 13-Mar-1972
Birthplace: Chicago, IL

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: Black
Occupation: Rapper, Actor

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Jazz-rap performer

Originally known as Common Sense (he was forced to change the name in 1995 by a like-named ska band), Common worked during the 90s as part of Chicago's hip-hop underground, releasing Can I Borrow A Dollar? (1992) and Resurrection (1994) to small commercial success but reasonable critical acclaim. During this period he worked extensively with producer NO I.D. -- a circumstance that would do much to help the up-and-coming producer establish himself in the business. His arrival into the mainstream arrived with his 3rd album (and the first under the shortened name) One Day It'll All Make Sense, which featured contributions from like-minded artists Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and De La Soul. An appearance on the popular album by The Roots Things Fall Apart in 1999 served to further broaden his exposure. After landing a record deal with MCA, Common expanded his catalogue with the increasingly successful, jazz-flavored hip-hop efforts Like Water For Chocolate (2000) and Electric Circus (2002).

Father: Lonnie Lynn (basketball player)
Mother: Ann Hines
Girlfriend: Serena Williams (tennis player, together 2009-10)

High School: Luther High School South, Chicago, IL
University: Columbia College Chicago (dropped out)

NO I.D. Vocalist 1997
The Roots Vocalist 1999
Common
Funeral: Muhammad Ali (2016)

TELEVISION
Hell on Wheels Elam Ferguson (2011-)

FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
Hunter Killer (19-Oct-2018)
Smallfoot (20-Sep-2018) [VOICE]
The Hate U Give (7-Sep-2018)
Ocean's Eight (5-Jun-2018)
The Tale (20-Jan-2018)
Girls Trip (21-Jul-2017)
Megan Leavey (7-May-2017)
John Wick: Chapter 2 (30-Jan-2017)
Suicide Squad (1-Aug-2016)
Barbershop: The Next Cut (15-Apr-2016)
Being Charlie (14-Sep-2015)
Entourage (27-May-2015)
Run All Night (9-Mar-2015)
Selma (11-Nov-2014)
Now You See Me (21-May-2013)
Pawn (23-Apr-2013)
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (15-Aug-2012)
LUV (23-Jan-2012)
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (21-Jan-2012) · Himself
New Year's Eve (5-Dec-2011) · Soldier
Happy Feet Two (17-Nov-2011) · Seymour [VOICE]
Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (8-Jul-2011) · Himself
Just Wright (14-May-2010) · Scott McKnight
Date Night (6-Apr-2010) · Collins
Terminator Salvation (14-May-2009)
Wanted (12-Jun-2008)
Street Kings (10-Apr-2008)
American Gangster (19-Oct-2007)
Smokin' Aces (12-Jan-2007)
Block Party (12-Sep-2005) · Himself
Fade to Black (5-Nov-2004) · Himself
Beef (Aug-2003) · Himself
Brown Sugar (5-Oct-2002) · Himself

Official Website:
http://www.common-music.com/

Author of books:
One Day It'll All Make Sense (2011)

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