Common's Missed Opportunities: Declining Kanye West's Beats and Witnessing Hit Songs in the Making
During a candid interview on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, Common, the acclaimed rapper and Hollywood actor, shared his unique experiences with Kanye West. Recalling their early collaborations in the late 90s, Common revealed that he had passed up on several beats crafted by Ye for his chart-topping album, Be.
One particularly memorable encounter stood out. As Common watched in amazement, Ye effortlessly composed a beat within minutes. The track was initially intended for Common's album but was ultimately rejected. Undeterred, Ye incorporated the beat into his own album, where it soared to critical acclaim.
Common described how he witnessed Ye effortlessly jot down hit songs in a matter of minutes. One such track, Heard 'Em Say from Ye's 2005 album Late Registration, was composed right before his eyes. Common recalled, I was like, 'This beat is dope.' He was like, 'You want it?' and I was like, 'Man, I gotta...' because it didn't feel like it was fitting in my album. So I was like, 'Nah, you good.' He said, 'Are you sure?' I was like, 'Nah, I'm good.'
Similarly, other beats crafted by Ye didn't resonate with Common's vision for his album. However, many of these tracks, such as I Wonder from Ye's 2007 album, achieved success when used by Ye himself.
Despite these missed opportunities, Common's collaborations with Ye proved to be fruitful. Ye played a pivotal role in producing Common's 2006 LP, Be, and his 2007 album, Finding Forever. Interestingly, Ye referenced Common's tendency to pass on his beats in the track Everything I Am from his 2007 album, Graduation.
Common's Perspective on the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake Beef
In the same interview, Common weighed in on the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. He expressed admiration for the creativity and skill displayed by both artists while noting that they avoided crossing a certain line. Common emphasized the importance of wordplay, rhythm, and punch in rap battles.
According to Common, the feud reached an impressive level but stopped short of becoming excessive. He commended the artists' ability to keep their families out of the conflict. As the feud has since subsided, rap enthusiasts have generally declared Kendrick Lamar as the victor, solidifying his status as a lyrical heavyweight.
