Common breezes through Philly with two new freestyles on Cosmic Kev’s “Come Up Show.” The Chi-town lyricist rhymes over something old (Jay-Z’s “Streets Is Watching”) and something new (French Montana’s “Shot Caller”). Check his flow.

“Streets Is Watching”

“Shot Caller”

[BOBO]

Common knows how to make a girl feel good. The Chi-town MC brought a female fan on stage during the after-party for his new film LUV at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. He dedicated his freestyle over Beyoncé’s “Party” instrumental to the lucky gal. “We can put it all together/ You know the weather/ Me and Jasmine we can find forever,” he rapped.

[Fakeshore Drive]

Common almost crossed paths with his rival Drake during his trip to Park City, Utah, for Sundance. While Drizzy was performing at Park City Live, the Chi-town MC attended the premiere of his new film LUV at the festival on Monday evening (Jan. 23).

The drama follows an 11-year-old orphan who discovers unpleasant truths about his uncle, played by Common. He posed for portraits with the cast including Meagan Good, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, and Danny Glover, and later performed at the after-party.

The rapper-turned-actor’s movie career is flourishing, with upcoming roles in Pawn with Forest Whitaker, Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and a movie by the Farrelly brothers.

Common showed off his skills as an MC, going off the top of the dome once again during his visit to Atlanta’s V-103. The Chicago lyricist freestyled over his 2000 single “The Light” as Ryan Cameron held up words for him to rhyme. He even addressed his beef with Drake. “You can ask why, people want me to keep dissing Canada Dry,” he said, referring to the Canadian MC. But unless Drake responds, Common says he’s done beefing.

[ATL Night Spots]

Common may have taken shots at Drake on his remix to “Stay Schemin’,” but the Chi-town MC still respects his rival’s music. In a new interview, Common had some kind words to say about the Young Money star and is ready to leave the beef behind.

The two rappers have been battling it out on wax. Most recently, Drake dissed Common on Rick Ross’ Rich Forever cut “Stay Schemin’.” Common fired back with a vicious verse, calling Drake “Canada Dry.” But he had no malicious words to say about his adversary when speaking with Rolling Stone.

“I think he makes good music,” Common said of the Canadian MC. “He’s definitely said some real clever things and made some cool songs. I like his music.”

He explained why he decided to respond to Drake. “I don’t think I had anything to prove,” he said. “I just felt like somebody stepped and challenged me, so I had to step into the ring. He said some things that I thought were directed at me, so I had to address it back.”

But Common is done beefing unless Drake retaliates. “I feel like I said what I had to say, and I’m just going to let it be at that point,” he added. “Now, if something else happens, then I’ll just have to act accordingly. But right now, I feel like, man, I said what I needed to say about this situation on record.”

And while their fans may be invested in the feud, Common said it isn’t serious. “It’s nothing like, ‘Oh man, it’s so personal.’ It’s just the art of rhyming, man. The art of rhyming!”

Following appearances in “Happy Feet Two” and the AMC TV series “Hell on Wheels,” Common takes on his most challenging role yet in Sheldon Candis’ drama LUV, which makes its debut at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The rapper-turned-actor stars alongside Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, and Charles S. Dutton in the story of an 11-year-old orphan who discovers unpleasant truths about his uncle. Get a first look below.

[The Hollywood Reporter]

Dwyane Wade was living large at his 30th birthday bash in Miami last night. The NBA star partied with his pals at the swanky affair at The Setai hotel. T.I. and Rick Ross got the crowd hype with their performances, a dapper Common freestyled over his single “Celebrate,” and Kelly Rowland serenaded the birthday boy with “Happy Birthday.” If that wasn’t enough, D-Wade was gifted with a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C valued at around $230,000. Other celebrity well wishers included Usher, Flo Rida, LeBron James, and Fat Joe.

Photo credit: Alexander Tamargo/WireImage + Bob Metelus/The Miami Herald

BET recognized the achievements of legends in the fields of music, literature, entertainment, media, service, and education at its 5th Annual BET Honors. Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Maya Angelou, and Spike Lee were among the honorees at Saturday’s taping at Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. The star-studded evening featured musical performances and touching tributes.

L.A. Reid bestowed praise on Mariah Carey before Patti LaBelle left the diva in tears while performing her classic ballad “Hero.” Nick Cannon honored his wife with an emotional speech as he held their son Moroccan (his sister Monroe was backstage feeling camera shy). A grateful Mariah thanked everyone for their love and support as she accepted her award.

With her idol in the front row, Kelly Rowland joined Raekwon for a cover of MC’s ODB-assisted hit “Fantasy.” “I love and respect her so much,” said Kelly. “I have to look at her forehead when I’m singing and not her eyes ’cause I know I’m gonna break out in tears.”

Common, Jennifer Hudson, Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Willow Smith, Jill Scott, and First Lady Michelle Obama were also on hand to salute the honorees. The special will air during Black History Month on February 13.

The celebration continues. After hitting up “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday, Common brought the party over to “Live with Kelly.” Looking sharp in a double-breasted blazer and jeans, the rapper-turned-actor performed the No I.D.-produced “Celebrate” off his latest album The Dreamer/The Believer. Raise a toast with Common.

Common’s beef with Drake may be getting all the attention lately, but the Chi-town MC turned the focus back on his music. Confetti and disco balls set the party mood as Common joined The Roots to perform his feel-good single “Celebrate” on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” His album The Dreamer/The Believer falls 26-42 in its third week on the charts.

[MWP]