Common - Finding Forever

Common is back with his seventh studio album, Finding Forever, set to release July 31st on GOOD Music. I recently had the pleasure of listening to the retail, the album features guest appearances from my favorite Neo-soul singer and jazz musician Bilal, R&B virtuoso D’Angelo, and of course the man that needs no introduction: Kanye West! Speaking of which, the album was 90 percent produced by him; it also features some great work from will.i.am, J Dilla, Devo Springsteen and Karriem Riggins. I really recommend this record for all those Hip-hop heads out there! Please go out and SUPPORT him, when the album drops! Maybe there is still HOPE for Hip Hop.

“Intro”
Real laid-back intro, similar to the "Game Theory" intro, setting the tone for the rest of the album.

“Start The Show”
This track is a great album opener. The beat is dark and much more dominating than most Common tracks. Common even goes out on few MC’s on this one.

“The People”
The First Single on FF "The People" begins with a chopped interplay between the sampled "Louder!" and "Yeah!" from Mountain's ultimate breakbeat jam "Long Red." Not long ago "Long Red" was sampled by J Dilla for De La Soul's "Verbal Clap" on The Grind Date. West tried to emulate Dilla the best he could on this album, and this one will be a fan favorite.


“Black Maybe (ft. Bilal)”
The title of this song was taken from a song by Stevie Wonder and Syretta Wright and is about the problems that come once you've grown out of the circumstances you were born into. Repeat Common collaborator Bilal provided the vocals on the hook.
"Kan-yezy, you's a genius my nig... (c) Jay-Z "Lucifer""

“I Want You”
One of the reviews said it was weak and I'm generally not a fan of Will.I.Am's production, but he has been coming with some heat suprisingly lately, and this is no different. The beat and hook are smooth, especially when it changes towards the end. I think it interpolates the same song as Big Pooh's "On My Mind".

“Southside (ft. Kanye West)”
I really hope he releases this as single, because it has the potential to blow. I love the back and forths w/ Kanye and Common with plenty of witty lyricism, plus the beat is immense.

“Drivin’ Me Wild (ft. Lilly Allen)”
I’m a huge fan of both artist but at first I did think a track with Lily Allen could potentially have been awful. For the first few seconds I was wondering where the beat was going, but as soon as the hook came in everything just seems to gel. This song is hypnotic, and very creative. Got that real addictive vibe to it; The type of track you can just put on repeat and it flows together like it's just one long song.
*I will probably do a piece on Lilly in the near future, so be on the look out.

“So Far To Go (ft. D’Angelo)”
I first heard this track on the J Dilla’s “The Shining”,, which is why this song is so disappointing to me. The beat knocks a little more which is nice, but I can't believe if he was changing the O.G verses to this and not take the song to another level - reflection on dilla's passing etc. (which the beat would be perfect for) - the title fits so nicely with the theme of the album. But it’s still a good song.

“Break My Heart”
This is the first song I’m not too crazy about, as the beat reminds me a lot of a “Film Called Pimp” off LWFC. I you can also remark the chops by Kanye on the beat, as it seems almost as if he were trying to mimic Dilla. Nothing extravagant, but still dope. I do have feeling this track will be slept on by many and loved later.

“The Game (ft. DJ Premier)”
The hardest beat on the album, it’s going to be a good performance song for him.
Ye samples Ahmad Jamal's "Swahililand" (as heard on De La Soul's "Stakes Is High") as another obvious nod to Dilla, and he also incorporates ’90s boom-bap hip-hop. The duo even brought in DJ Premier to scratch a chorus out of lines from OC's "Half Good, Half Sinner": It's only right that I address this/ You gotta be in it to win it.


"Misunderstood"
Might be the dopest sample I’ve heard in a while. Produced by Devo Springsteen, West's cousin and collaborator, the song is introduced by a verse and chorus from a live Nina Simone performance of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. One of my early favorites on first few listens. The production on FF is G.O.O.D

"Forever Begins"
It has the same sort of epic feel as “It's Your World” from BE. I like how it links to the melody in the intro, and the "50 Ways" break is always a winner. Also love the military drums to afro-soul instrumental outro. Pops comes and drops some knowledge as he always does.

"Play Your Cards Right (ft. Bilal)"
This is a bonus track that can also be found on the Smoking Ace’s soundtrack. It’s a great song, but I already had this played out months ago.

*Personal Favorites: Black Maybe, Misunderstood, Drivin’ Me Wild
The Alchemist

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