Common The Dreamer / The Believer
It’s been a while since Common made a record that mattered to me – a sad fact considering he put out three records (in a row) that I now look back on as bona fide classics. Two of those triumphs (Resurrection, One Day It Will All Make Sense) were chaired by legendary Chicago producer/guru No ID, long credited as Common (and Kanye’s) greatest musical influence. I’m not sure how Common managed to lure the guy back, but ID’s presence on this record is immense and can be largely credited for its success. There is still a little too much R&B flying around for me to rank this with Common’s finest, but the ship definitely seems to have been righted. Call it a comeback.