Common Debuts New Music at White House 'Tiny Desk' Concert
Common rocks the White House.
The Chicago MC brought star-studded support for his “Tiny Desk” concert at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as part of the South by South Lawn festivities on Monday (Oct. 4).
His co-stars on the NPR show included Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, Derrick Hodge, Karriem Riggins, Elenia, and Bilal. Together, they ran through a set featuring his classic Resurrection single “I Used to Love H.E.R.” and “Letter to the Free” from Ava DuVerney’s mass incarceration documentary 13th.
Delivering powerful rhymes, Common addresses the prison system while discussing politics today. “We staring in the face of hate again,” he raps. “The same hate they say will make America great again.”
Common didn’t stop there. He also performed “Little Chicago Boy” — an ode to his father — and “The Day the Women Took Over.” Both are new tracks from his upcoming album Black America Again. Due in November, the LP also features the lead single and title track.
Watch Common’s 21-minute set straight from the White House below.