REVIEW: Common – Finding Forever

Finding Forever (Album Cover)

Review: 4 out of 5

Best Song: Forever Begins ft. Lonnie “Pops” Lynn (Produced by Kanye West)

Common returns with his seventh album, entitled “Finding Forever”. We all know Common’s story, he was a b-boy (whatever that is), was turned into a homo by falling for Erikah Badu and now has tried to resurrect himself by channeling some of Yeezy’s swag. Well Common ain’t Kanye West, and nor is he Chi-Town’s Nas. He’s just plain boring Common over some of the best beats Yeezy has ever made. Kanye you should have made your album over these beats! Nonetheless, Common actually does “rap” here, which is refreshing as everything has turned into Solja Boy chants and mumbles. Anyway, check the breakdown suckas!

1. Intro
The most gayest intro in hiphop history. true story.

2. Start the Show ft. Kanye West (Produced by Kanye West)
Now this is more like it. Kanye chops sound like Primo except he added some synths ala “Graduation” style. I wish the drums hit a little harder. For some reason, I think Common is taking subliminal shots at Fifty and Young Jeezy. Best line: “You was better as a drug dealer”.

3. The People ft. Dwele (Produced by Kanye West)
Kanye makes his best beat ever. A cross between Premier and J. Dilla, Yeezy gives boring ass Common something to inspire to. This song is sick.
Best line: “My daughter found Nemo, I found the new Premo.”

4. Drivin’ Me Wild ft. Lily Allen (Produced by Kanye West)
A three verse song narrative about a women concerned about her looks and money and bagging a baller, an upper middle class black dude (think Theo Cosby) trying to get his street credibility up, and about a celebrity couple (not sure wtf dude is talking about here). I like the British chick singing on this. Best line: “Pathetic on his myspace page, half-naked.” hahaha

5. I Want You ft. Will.I.Am (Produced by Will.I.Am)
Will.I.Am does a bang up job on this beat and the hook is freshhhhhhhh, even though its a re-sung of some 80’s song you and I have never heard. Common’s probably talking about Badu here, but ends up sounding like the ultra homo he is.

6. Southside ft. Kanye West (Produced by Kanye West)
This is like a song you make just to perform in the high school Cafrica (if you know what I mean). It’s like a crazy good ol’ fashioned b-boy cipher.
Best line: Kanye West, “Your fly is open McFly”. Go rent Back 2 the Future, now on VHS.

7. The Game (Produced by Kanye West, scratches by Dj Premier)
Another attempt at a Premier beat with even Premier himself providing his signature “scratch” hook.
Best line: “I just want to be like Akeelah, an achiver”. Go rent Akeelah the Bee, it’ll probably be on BET in a week from now.

8. U, Black Maybe ft. Bilal (Produced by Kanye West)
An interesting look at “conventional” black stereotypes that black kids who went to collage can relate too. The effect of adding “maybe” is quite astute, as Common seems to not only be questioning whether the black kids from the “hood” are “black” but is questioning whether he really is “black”. Common you a light skin dude, and you ain’t no nigga, maybe.

9. So Far To Go ft. D’Angelo (Produced by J Dilla)
No clue how Common got D’Angelo on this, probably enticed him with some coke. Common gets his mack on here, btw he’s much better at this sorta stuff then Talib. I would probably get hed to this record. Probably.

10. Break My Heart (Produced by Kanye West)
A song about Common being told not to break hearts. Stop laughing. Ok, his flow is mad suspect on this, like the majority of Jay-Z’s flows on “Kingdom Come”.

11. Misunderstood ft. Bilal (Produced by Devo Springsteen)
Beats si-nick. I love how Devo put the “room sound” reverb on the sample to make it sound like it’s in the middle of a jazz cafe. Another narrative track about a nickel and dime drug dealer, and a stripper that dropped out of college. Very ground breaking. Though very conventional subject matter, a good message delivered via some GOOD music.
Best Line: “Her body is moving but her mind’s a mannequin”.

12. Forever Begins ft. Lonnie “Pops” Lynn (Produced by Kanye West)
Finally, the album begins. This is the song Common was meant to make. This song should have been the intro, instead of the outro. After hearing this, I’m finna go stand up for my rights and get in a march or some shit. I like the outro speech here, it reminds me of Reading Rainbow for some reason.

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