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Hip-Hop Rumors: Rick Ross Didn't Drop Pill From MMG

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur)Category: Rumors

PILL IS STILL DOWN WITH THE WINNING TEAM!

I new Pill wasn’t dropped from Maybach Music Group! Why? Because people don’t get dropped these days. They actually get “kept” on the shelf until their life is ruined. I do think there may have been something to this, but Pill insists there is nothing going on. In fact, he had no idea that these rumors were out there until the tweets started coming. He tells TheBoombox:

“I’m not sure how they started actually. I noticed it when people started f***ing with me on Twitter, but I don’t know the source of it. I mean, it is what it is. It’s mostly Twitter — people that follow me or don’t follow me that hate on me daily, and wanna start s**t.”

He said the MMG crew is working on Self Made 2 as well.

“Everybody pretty much spread out right now, and we’re sparsely working on it, but there’s no set date for the release. Everybody’s pretty much doing what they’re doing and trying to grind it out with different tracks as we go along. We’ve all recorded tracks already that we’ve compiled to submit for the actual LP but you know, I can’t even really say what percentage of it is done. I recorded a lot of tracks. Wale, Meek, Ross recorded a lot of tracks and we’re all just waiting on that day when we all can just sit and go through it.”

Dr. Maya Angelou Releases Statement Clearing Up Her "Disappointment" Over Common's Album

By: seandrasimsCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Revered poet, author, and activist, Dr. Maya Angelou, didn’t mince words recently when commenting about the language and imagery on Common’s The Dreamer, The Believer. Despite having a guest appearance on the album, she told The New York Post recently that she was particularly bothered by his use of the “N-word.”

Dr. Angelou, whose writings from the past such as Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting Merry Like Christmas have included many racy topics, wanted to clarify her position on Common’s recent release on BET’s 106th & Park this week:

“I don’t think the word “disappointment” quite makes it.  I was “surprised.”  I know that Common is brilliant.  He may, in fact, be close enough to be called a genius – I’m not sure.   I know that we are all in process and young artists are in process.  It’s important to realize that all of you – all of us – [are in process].  There was a statement made by Machiavelli in the 15th century.  He said if you want to control the people, separate them, and you can rule them.  Divide them and you can conquer them.  I will not be divided from Common.   By anybody’s imagination, he is brilliant and even genius, maybe.   But certainly smarter than us to know that he’s in process.  And next week, he might not even use the N-word[,] or the B-word.  It may even take two or three weeks, or a month.  But I’m not going to be separated from him…

[Watch the clip from BET’s 106th & Park HERE]

“Do your best to not be divided.  This doesn’t mean you are supposed to support everything anybody says.  Say “I disagree, but I don’t disagree to the point where I want you dead and out of here.”  You must understand that, people, we live in direct relation to the heroes and sheroes we have.  Always and in always if we don’t have heroes and sheroes and keep them alive, we are nothing.”

Check out this video from early 2012, where Dr. Angelou says that Common “could be her son.”

Common’s The Dreamer, The Believer is available on iTunes and in stores today (December 20).

Chartwatch: Drake Goes Platinum; Snoop and Wiz Collaboration Debuts In Top 50

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta)Category: News

(Week Ending On 12/19/11)

Well, it’s official, Drake’s second studio album, Take Care (YM/CM/Universal), has officially been certified platinum. This week the Take Care dropped one spot from #7 to the #8 spot after selling 75,774 units in the album’s fifth week. However, due to the holiday season, Drake actually saw a 5% increase in album sales compared to last week. Haters gon’ hate but YMCMB is having one hell of a year!

R&B singer Anthony Hamilton’s returns with his fifth studio album, Back to Love (RCA), which debuted at #11 selling just over 60,000 units. The album, which features production from Salaam Remi, Babyface, and Antonio Dixon is Hamilton’s first major release since 2008’s The Point of It All.

Debuting at #27 is the “stoner-esque” collaboration album Mac & Devin Go to High School (Warner Bros.) from rappers Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg. With the star power that these two have plus the album’s single “Young, Wild, and Free” which features Bruno Mars being a hit, this has to be mildly disappointing for not just the artists but the label at the very least. Expect the album to hang around for the next week or two due to Christmas shopping, but after that it will likely vanish from the Top 50.

Coming in at #38 is the last Hip-Hop representative in the Top 50. Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV (YM/CM/Universal), which has already been certified double-platinum, moved just under 30,000 units and saw an impressive 27% increase in sales from last week.

Dropping This Week (12/20/11):

Common’s ninth studio album, The Dreamer/The Believer (Warner Bros.), will be released today. Common talked about the album, which includes production exclusively from No I.D. and features from Nas, Maya Angelou, and John Legend, in an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com. You can also read our review of the album here.

One of 2011’s biggest hook men, Roscoe Dash, is also releasing a project. The J.U.I.C.E. EP contains seven new tracks featuring artists like Big Sean and Wale. The title J.U.I.C.E. stands for: “just understand I control everything.”

Young Jeezy’s fourth studio album, Thug Motivation 103 (Def Jam), also will be released today after being delayed numerous times over the past two years. The third and final album in the Thug Motivation series contains features from Jay-Z, Andre 3000, T.I., 2 Chainz, and Fabolous among others. You can read our review of TM103 here.

MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD: Aleon Craft & George Clinton – Mothership: The Decatur Connection

By: Steve Raze (@SteveRaze)Category: Music

DOWNLOAD Mothership: The Decatur Connection

Mothership: The Decatur Connection is a collaborative project between funk legend, George Clinton, and hip-hop artist, Aleon Craft. This is the first time George Clinton (of Parliament Funkadelic) has linked up with a hip-hop artist for a complete, new project. George Clinton recorded to 3 new records for the project, however, Mothership: The Decatur Connection consists of elements from… Aleon Craft’s Mothership Decatur (2011 Mixtape), the Parliament-Funkedelic catalog and original recordings from both Aleon Craft and George Clinton.

Eve Is Preparing To Blow Your Mind All Over Again In 2012

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta)Category: Features

Who is Eve? She is a Grammy Award, NAACP Image Award, and MTV Video Music Award winner who has garnered over 20 nominations for her music, acting, and work both within and outside of the entertainment industry. All of which was accomplished in a seven-year period.

We can never forget that she was and always will be the “first lady of Ruff Ryders.” Yet her last album, EVE-Olution, was released 10 years ago, her last film role was in 2009, and other than a few guest verses here or appearances there, it is safe to say that she’s been missing from the Hip-Hop world. Fast-forward to now, and things have changed. Eve is in the process of finishing her fourth studio album, she just wrapped a new film, still has her hand, or should we say, foot, in the fashion industry, and is preparing to release her first two books. All of this, and more, is on tap for 2012.

AllHipHop.com spent some time talking to the beautiful Philadelphia native as she vacations in London for the holidays about a number of things, including the long and bumpy road to her new album, her thoughts on Nicki Minaj, female rappers, and the state of the current musical landscape. Eve also gave us a sneak peek into some of her other ventures and endeavors. Read all about it below:

AllHipHop.com: Hey, Eve, how are you doing?

Eve: Good. I’m in London right now. How are you?

AllHipHop.com: Good, thanks. So, I have to ask about you and your music. Where is your musical state of mind at right now?

Eve: Listen, it’s been a long *ss process, just ‘cause I’ve made so many changes in my life as far as management and label stuff, and then the label I went to went through another transition, so it’s just taking forever. But I will definitely have an official single out by late spring, and we hope to have the album out by next fall. After the top of the year is my six-week countdown to finish the record. It’s definitely coming next year, for sure!

AllHipHop.com: Well, that’s great news. Is the title still Flirt or has that changed also?

Eve: No, it’s all changing. It went from Lip Lock to Flirt, and as of now, I’m not sure what it’s going to be yet. I’ve been working off of Lip Lock for a minute, just ‘cause there’s still that feeling, but I think I’m going to wind up changing. I just don’t want to say what it is right now.

AllHipHop.com: As long as you let us know first, then take your time with the title.

Eve: [Laughing] Yes, I will definitely let you know.

AllHipHop.com: So how has the actual music changed? Where is it at right now?

Eve: I think it’s still the same. I think that what I was trying to do with this record is kind of branch what people paid attention to me for in the beginning, being with Ruff Ryders, and as far as what I’ve done lyrically. I’m trying to branch that with my love of doing the radio-friendly music. I’m trying to figure it out, but I think it will be a very well rounded record. I think that there will be enough records on there that people will be like, “oh damn, this is lyrical Eve,” and then the fans that grew with me, that are still growing with me, will love the stuff that I’m into right now.

We’ll see, but I’m really excited about it, just ’cause I have so many different kinds of people so far on the record, as far as the production goes. I’m actually going to be going in and recording with The Cataracts at the end of January, and you know what kind of stuff they do, but I’m not going to be doing that crazy, extra-big, club stuff, just ’cause that’s not where I’m at. And I don’t want to just follow a trend unless I’m doing it my way. Then obviously, I’m still going to be getting records from Swizz. Salaam Remi is on the record as well, and I’m still looking for some people. Like I said, I have six weeks after the new year, so we’ll see who comes up to bat.

AllHipHop.com: Well, it sounds like you’re cooking up something pretty special so far, so I’m looking forward to hearing some new Eve. How about your passion for singing? Will we get any of that on the new album?

Eve: You know, I might. I’ve always been okay with singing hooks. That has always been comfortable for me. I don’t know right now, but I don’t think I would do a whole song, unless it’s something fun. If I come up with a way to it very melodically and fun where it’s not me coming out of pocket, then I’ll definitely do it. I feel like music right now is so mixed up where you can do so many experimental things so I might try to jump out of the box a little, but we’ll see.

AllHipHop.com: Well we haven’t been totally deprived of Eve music. Last month a new Ruff Ryders compilation was released, and the “Hot Steppa” song that you and Swizz had done earlier in the year was on it. How did that project come together and was that an official Ruff Ryders release?

Eve: You know, if they call and they need something, I’m always there. So when Waah called me and asked if they could get a record for the compilation, I said “absolutely.” Thankfully me and Swizz had just done that “Hot Steppa” record, and it just kind of worked out perfectly and I told them to take it.

AllHipHop.com: What about you and DMX? Have you spoken to your man lately, and can the fans anticipate an Eve and X record on your new album?

Eve: No, actually. I haven’t gotten to speak to X yet, but I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. I know that since he’s been out, he’s been doing his thing and I know from other people that he’s doing really well which I’m really happy about. But no I haven’t talked to him yet and sh*t you never know. It’d be dope to work with him again, and I love X, you know? He’s the sh*t.

AllHipHop.com: As someone who has been a part of the industry for over a decade, what do you think about the current musical landscape?

Eve: I mean I go back and forth. There’s some music out there that when I’m listening to the radio, I’m like “are you serious! This sh*t is getting played and people are buying this?” But at the same time, I do hear some stuff that I’m like “oh damn, this is fun, this is cool. I think it’s definitely never been like this; music has changed so much. Everything has just changed so much. Like I said before, for me it is kind of exciting because it is so mixed up now that I feel like I can do a lot more and come out of my box some more. But what does annoy me is that there are some people out there just making sh*tty *ss music and it’s not cute. It’s just not cute; so I don’t know man but it’s always a cycle. I feel like the bullsh*t has to happen for the good sh*t to come. And I think that all the real artists and real lyricists will come back, at least I’m hoping they will.

AllHipHop.com: So then I have to ask, what are your thoughts on someone like Nicki Minaj who has crossed over to multiple genres and had tons of success in the past year?

Eve: I think it’s great. I think what she’s doing is great. I think she found a lane and she’s living in it, and doing her thing. You know, I get asked about her a lot, and I have nothing but good things to say. I don’t think anyone should wish bad things on a person and I think her success just makes it better for everyone in the game. I’ve got to be honest, I don’t sit and listen to Nicki Minaj records. I do like some songs that I’ve heard from her, but at the same time, like I said, I think she’s found a lane but there’s enough space for everybody to do their own thing.

AllHipHop.com:  Do you think it’s a little unfortunate that no matter how many dope female rappers there are, like Trina, Jean Grae, you, Diamond, it seems everyone is always going to make some comparison to Nicki and what she’s done?

Eve: I mean, it is unfortunate ‘cause there are a lot of dope *ss female MCs out there as well, they just don’t come out as often. If you have that machine, then you’re winning, that’s what I think, period. Nicki has the machine behind her right now, and it’s just the perfect moment for her. The stars have all aligned ‘cause right now, she is that girl.

What bothers me about it though, more than anything, is that people think there always only has to be one female or two at the most who are doing their thing. There’s so much testosterone out there and it seems like the females can never break through that and I think that annoys me more than anything.

AllHipHop.com: I definitely agree, and it’s unfortunate that we don’t always get to dictate what is and isn’t out there as much as we like to think that we do.

Eve: Right. People believe whatever they see at the forefront. It is what it is.

AllHipHop.com: Well aside from music, what can you tell me about the other ventures that you’re involved with? Are there any acting or fashion projects in the works?

Eve: Well, I just finished an independent film right before I came here to London called Wifed Out. It was with this guy Jason, it’s his first major film and the movie is like one of those Judd Apatow kind of humorous things. It’s pretty out there [laughter], but it’s fun. So I just finished that and I’m sure that will be out some time next year. I’m reading stuff all the time ‘cause I love acting so hopefully I’ll be getting into a lot more of it next year.

As far as fashion goes, I’m working on a shoe line, but it’s in the baby stages. I walked from my other line Fetish so I don’t have that anymore, I gave it up. So yeah, I’m starting on a shoe line and you’ll definitely hear more about that once the album is out and I’m working on two books actually.

AllHipHop.com: Oh nice. What are the books about?

Eve: One is a beauty book and then the other is kind of like my story, but more of a positive, ‘you can do anything,’ kind of book.

AllHipHop.com: So an autobiography with a twist?

Eve: Kind of but I don’t want to make it where people are like “oh and then this happened, and then this year this happened.” I want it to be more conversational and I am actually going to partner up with someone to help structure it with me ‘cause I’m not good with that kind of stuff.

AllHipHop.com:  Well it was a pleasure talking to you. Just to recap, you’ve got the album dropping in fall, the shoe line coming around the same time, the movie, and the two books you’re working on. Is there anything else you want the fans to know about what Eve has in store for 2012?

Eve: Nothing other than I’m coming, and 2012 is the year of E-V-E.

AllHipHop.com:  Thanks again, Eve. Enjoy the holidays.

Eve: Thanks. You, too.

Follow Eve on Twitter: @TheRealEve

Hip-Hop Rumors: Common Admits To Dissing Drake

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur)Category: Rumors

COMMON ADMITS TO SENDING BUCKSHOT AT DRAKE?!

It looks like Common has come clean. I am hearing that on the ” Sway In The Morning” show, the Chi-Town rapper admitted straight up that he was going at Drake on “Sweet.” YES. This is refreshing since Drake was bugging out on some “say it to my face” s**t.” Now, apparently, he has said the name and I want to see what happens. We all know there will be on physical confrontation so I’m wondering why Drake would suggest that. I just want to see some lyrics go back and forth!

Here is what Drake’s producer had to say about it. “After “one day it’ll all make sense” came out I spent months arguing weather or not @common was hip hop. Everyone was saying it was too rnb.” And then he spoke directly to Common. “@common, I remember being called a b#### in grade 9 cause I had your cd. Good thing I also had 456 by kool g rap on me. Now that’s real ;)”

40…Common been Hip-Hop, lil bro.

Drake pops off here and there and clearly Common is. I wonder if this is what Jay mean when she said: “Here’s how they gon’ come at you, with silly rap feuds, trying to distract you.”

Lets get it onnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

The Kid Daytona: How the Bronx Native Became A "Rising Icon" [INTERVIEW]

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta)Category: Breeding Ground

Hailing from the Bronx and being a rapper is not an easy thing to carry on your shoulders, especially nowadays. After all, the Bronx birthed such legendary emcees as KRS-One, Big Pun, Sadat X, Slick Rick…the list goes on. Yet The Kid Daytona does not falter at the thought of what his borough’s icons have achieved throughout musical history. Instead, he is determined to focus on the future and creating the best possible music he can – not for himself, but for his fans.

After dropping a few mixtapes and EPs over the years, The Kid Daytona really cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with with last year’s critically acclaimed project, The Interlude. Today (December 19), Daytona released his follow-up, The Interlude II, a mixtape that features some of the game’s hottest producers like 6th Sense, Harry Fraud, and Statik Selektah. Never one to rest on his laurels, Daytona has pledged that although he intends to go out with a bang in 2011, no one is prepared for what he has in store for 2012.

AllHipHop.com: What’s going on, Daytona? How you feeling?

The Kid Daytona: Good, man, real good. Just chilling.

AllHipHop.com: So first things first, for those that don’t know you or may not be familiar with you, tell me a little bit about who The Kid Daytona is.

The Kid Daytona: The Kid Daytona is an MC from the Bronx, a real MC. I make dope Hip-Hop music that’s fly and for the culture and all of that.

AllHipHop.com: Is “forward-thinking” MC an appropriate title to give you?

The Kid Daytona: I mean, the thing that I’ve been seeing a lot is that after my songs, you know on Twitter, they’ll hash tag “real Hip-Hop” (#realHipHop). So I guess that’s what I make. I’m not sure what fake Hip-Hop is, but I guess I’m the opposite of that.

AllHipHop.com: And how heavily do you carry the title of being a rapper from the Bronx?

The Kid Daytona: I grew up in New York, you know, so it’s what I know. I’ve been other places and seen other things obviously, but I’m from New York and that’s my character and that’s what I ride with. As far as my music in concerned, I only talk about my experiences and I don’t make any faux accents, it is what it is; I’m from New York. You know, similar to cats from Atlanta or cats from Texas, that’s what they do and they don’t ever try to rap or sound like they’re from New York, so I figure I’ll stay close to my roots and true to who I am.

AllHipHop.com: So then coming from the legendary Bronx, which birthed some of the greatest MCs period, who are some of your influences?

The Kid Daytona: I listened to a lot of that regular music man ‘cause my uncle firsthand – he really had a big part in my love of music and my love of the culture – he’s like 13 years older than me, so when I was coming up, I was listening to what he was playing first, and that’s Run DMC, LL, Tribe, EPMD, KRS, Slick Rick, all of that classic stuff, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I used to just watch him play these kinds of records all day, and that’s when I first really, really loved it. Me as a fan moment, though, like when I really became a fan of it, I would have to say was when I heard the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album. That was the first joint that I really took in. I had the big, brolic, waterproof cassette player Walkman, where you used to have to flip over to rewind it [laughter]. I had that, and I just used to play that purple tape over and over and over again. I was in fifth grade, and the first rap that I ever wrote was to that album.

AllHipHop.com: That’s great. Any chance you remember what that first rap was?

The Kid Daytona: [laughter] Nah, man, but I know that whatever it was, it sounded like whatever they were saying.

AllHipHop.com: I’ve got to commend you anyway though, Kid, because you’re not just a dope rapper, you have an ear for great production also. The production you use really compliments the content you rap about, so what do you attribute that to?

The Kid Daytona: I think I would attribute that, and also, I’ve been around a lot of DJs from just coming up. From the Cipha Sounds and Ed Smooths, to just a bunch of DJ cats that were coming up, and listening to what their ear has been and just being around good music. I guess it comes from me being young and having that ear from day one. I guess that’s really the only thing I could say about that.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, and you’ve worked with some amazing producers as well, but before we get into that, I have to ask, where did the name Kid Daytona come from?

The Kid Daytona: Um, Daytona originated first because my man had a Toyota Camry back in ’81 or something when we were in high school, and we used to joyride the cars around, and when it was my turn, I ended up bashing alongside like four parked cars, and we all got out and ran, and everybody started calling me Daytona 500 [laughter]. That’s where it all started right there, being young, and dumb, and from the Bronx.

AllHipHop.com: That’s a great story [laughing]. I think it’s safe to say that last year, The Interlude was one of the dopest projects that dropped in music and also received tons of critical acclaim. How did you approach creating the follow-up?

The Kid Daytona: With The Interlude, I strictly made that in frustration. I just wanted to show people that I was nice and that all I cared about was rhyming and raps; that’s why I picked those beats, just anything that I knew I could go in on. You know, I didn’t really care about being critically acclaimed, I didn’t care about the hype or whatever comes along with all of the stuff that’s going on now. I was just sold on letting people know that I could rap and it turned out great. We got a lot of exposure off of there from MTV, and BET, and a lot of “best-of” lists; people really loved that tape.

So with this coming around, what I wanted to do was expand the sound a little bit more and just make records. Instead of taking classic interludes from other albums, this time around, it’s all original music, and all of the music is brought together by interludes, so, you know, that’s why it’s The Interlude II. It’s really like a growth process; it’s for my fans, not really for me because I’ve always been experimenting and making different kinds of music, just that nobody has heard ‘cause I haven’t put it out. I wanted to just expand the sound this time around and make bigger records, have them spin on mix shows, radio, and in the club, just for people to really understand that Daytona is for real. He’s not just that backpack rapper.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve already given fans a good taste of what’s to come on The Interlude II…I believe you released three or four of the projects tracks before it dropped.

The Kid Daytona: Yeah, we just dropped the fourth one last week with Melanie Fiona.

AllHipHop.com: There honestly hasn’t been one out of the four songs that isn’t pretty stellar, so I’m curious if there is a reason why these specific tracks were released as opposed to other ones from the project, and do you have a favorite?

The Kid Daytona: It was just the joints that I figured was going to get people’s attention because it was like a last minute thing. I had a bunch of records and right now I think we’re at like 50 that I recorded for The Interlude II, so it was just at a point where we knew we should put something out as a last minute thing, and we decided to put out these records, and then we’re gonna come with Interlude III and end the trilogy in the beginning of spring.

So with these records, I knew it was something that people would really mess with. I came through with the leak of me and Action Bronson, but first I came through with the song from me an Goapele and I wanted to just come with that  ‘cause I think it threw people off and that song turned out crazy, and to have Statik Selektah do the beat. Then I came through with Bronson, and we took it to that ill tropical vibe with the storytelling on there and just going crazy. Then I took you to the club with my man Harry Fraud on “Low” beat. Then with the Melanie Fiona record, I wanted to show people that I could make a radio-friendly record but still do it in my way and still just go in. I just wanted to have people’s ears and eyes this time around, like ‘yo man, Daytona is really coming through with something.

AllHipHop.com: Well, it sounds like the concept definitely paid off ’cause all of the tracks that you released so far from the project are dope, and you gave fans and listeners all those different sides of you. As we wrap up, I want to congratulate you on the success you had in 2011. You were also just named one of Grey Goose’s “Rising Icons” so congratulations on that as well.

The Kid Daytona: Oh, thank you, man. It’s just a result of all the hard work just paying off. I always tell everybody that it’s definitely not an overnight thing; I got my first record deal out of high school. We coming up on close to 10 years of really trying to achieve this goal right here and it’s just ill seeing everything coming together the way that it is, just me really doing it my way.

AllHipHop.com: Definitely. Well, looking ahead to 2012, other than The Interlude 3, what do you have in store for your fans and listeners next year?

The Kid Daytona: I mean, we’ve got a whole bunch of videos. We’ll definitely be doing a whole bunch of collaborations with Grey Goose; I’ve got a couple of ill things coming up with them. Just more brand collaborations, and a tour, and shows, and videos; a bunch of dope stuff man. It’s going to be exciting in 2012, man. It just seems like all of the stars are aligned right now.

AllHipHop.com: Thanks again for the interview, and I’m looking forward to hearing The Interlude II and seeing what you have coming up in 2012.

The Kid Daytona: Thank you, JP. Thanks a lot.

Download “The Kid Daytona – The Interlude II” Now! 

For More Information On The Kid Daytona Click Here and Follow Him On Twitter: @TheKidDaytona

Album Review: Common's "The Dreamer, The Believer"

By: seandrasimsCategory: Features

Rating: 9 / 10

On the intro track, “The Dreamer,” Dr. Maya Angelou proclaims over exquisite No I.D. production, “Let us dare to dream.” Considering the source, it proves to be a powerful message indeed. Revived and re-introduced to a younger generation through Kanye West, Common enlisted longtime, or maybe more accurately long-ago, collaborator No I.D. for production. The last time the two worked together was in 1997. Now at the tail-end of 2011, The Dreamer, The Believer is released in the midst of high expectations. “Told my n*gga ‘Ye, I’m about to win the Grammys now”, Common spits confidently on the first song, and with good reason.

The spoken word piece by Dr. Angelou comes after Common lets his rhymes drift over bass and drum kicks you could fall in love with. However, the smooth and tranquil mood of the intro is quickly smacked out of the listener’s ears with “Ghetto Dreams.” The hard-hitting single features a standout verse from Nas (“Warned that I’m sadistic/ They liked it, they dyked it, devices, twisted”) but with Common’s opening lines (“I want a b*tch that look good and cook good”), he sets the gruff tone. “Sweet” is awesome; the braggadocio lines, brash cursing and yelling, in-your-face video and ironic sample in the backdrop all add to the intriguing rawness of the song. And the clashing drums and taunting hook of “Raw (How You Like It)” only add to the muscle of the LP as Common spits, “’You Hollywood’/ Nah n*gga, I’m Chicago. So I cracked his head with a muthaf*cking bottle.”

But it is on songs like the ambitious “Blue Sky” that Common “gets it in.” With ever-growing spacious production, Common declares his style “hood elegance.” A fitting adjective. Com Sense is one of few emcees that can walk the fine line between the corner, and the “Cloth,” one of the best songs on an album, jam-packed with synth and bass grooves. Speaking on him and a woman being cut from the same cloth, Common raps, “I recall, the walls that I had up/ Attracted to women for things that didn’t matter.” Never on the shallow end, “Lovin’ Lost” speaks in a wily, old fashioned drawl that brings a sincere storytelling aspect to the cut, and “Windows” which possesses a heartfelt second verse about his daughter.

And that seems to be the glue to the album; the progressive and fresh, yet soulful instrumentation provided by No. I.D. The Dreamer, The Believer has the same cohesiveness of Be, but with a more lively mood. Common sounds alive on this record – like he’s in a good place in life. The shiny, gold album cover communicates the warm, positive energy that the LP evokes; every song has a meaning and is full.

Before the customary Pop’s outro, the album ends with the stellar “The Believer,” featuring John Legend on the gospel-esque vocals.  To start from the ‘Dreamer’ and end with the ‘Believer’ insinuates the symbolism of transitioning from dreaming, to believing your reaffirmed dreams. But I’m not too sure if there’s any over-arching theme here; it’s just good ass music and the perfect album to cap off the year.