Mic Navarro's Corner: Common - Nobody's Smiling ALBUM REVIEW

Peace, love and happiness. Three things to me that best describes the music from veteran rapper Common. Things that he likes to talk about. It's because of that and just his overall humbling and positive character that's made him one of hip hop's most respected MC's for nearly twenty years. Having a string of classic albums and songs. My personal favorite being "The Light" from his 2000 album Like Water For Chocolate. However, despite such longevity in the game, it seems like Common didn't really become a household name on a mainstream level until he linked with Kanye West and dropped his 2005 album Be. My favorite album of his. Basically, which such a great discography, a new Common album is always something to anticipate. This is his tenth album Nobody's Smiling. After coming off releasing a really dope album in The Dreamer/The Believer in 2011, I was eagerly anticipating that this album would be the same story. Well I can happily say that it was that...and more. This was a very well done project by Common. Now before I began the break down of the album, let me began with the inspiration behind this concept album. As most of you may know, 2014 has been a very tragic year for the city of Chicago (Common's home town if you didn't know that). The recent outbreak of crime, particularly gun violence has caused total devastation throughout the city. Catching the attention of everyone nationwide. Granted this is nothing new in Chicago. It's a city that's been known for gang violence since the days of Al Capone. But when 80+ people are shot in a single Fourth Of July weekend, then that's when you gotta think enough is enough. This is what lead to this album. On here Common speaks about the state of the city, what can be done to make change and where this will all lead to. He title's this album Nobody's Smiling because he says that with all that's gone on in the Chi, no one is smiling right now in that city. The album is very emotional, sympathetic and has a very dark energy hovering over it. Dark is a word you normally don't use to describe Common's music but as you know...things are not so "peaceful and happy" as I stated in the beginning. Plenty of positives to talk about on this album so let's start there. The album starts off in dramatic fashion with the track "The Neighborhood". First off, big time props to No I.D. who produced the entire album as well as The Dreamer/The Believer. He been doing work with Common since day one and the two make magic together. They truly are "Chi-town's Gang Starr" as he said on this album. Anyway, "The Neighborhood" gives off this truly dark and eerie feel especially when it begins. Lyrically Common was on point (as he was throughout this album). He talks about the history of violence in Chicago from hood to hood and block to block. What I actually liked the most was the impressive guest verse from Lil Herb. Now I don't know much about him nor heard any of his work but this verse was cool as he told his version of the cities struggle that he sees. This was a perfect way to begin this album and this story. The next track is "No Fear" and based on the lyrics, it sounds as if Common is describing the typical young thug/criminal in Chicago and how he shows "no fear" when in the streets committing his crimes. It was spoken very poetic like over another crisp production from No I.D. Excellent song. The track "Kingdom" I would have to say was my favorite of the whole album. I love the strong soulful sound of this production. Here he talks as a criminal who has passed away and tries to ask for forgiveness at the gates. He sees the city and all that he and others like him have done and he regrets it. It was powerfully told as you can literally vision in your head everything Common says on this track. The guest verse from Vince Staples was pretty cool too. Amazing song overall. The only two songs on here that sound anything close to single worthy are "Blak Majik" and "Speak My Piece". "Blak Majik" has this really cool heart pounding beat. Jhene Aiko sings the hook and at first I didn't like it too much because it's repetitive (says "blak majik" over and over). But the part at the end was alright so it kinda made up for it. Then there's "Speak My Piece" in which the hook samples a line from Biggie's song "Hypnotize". Now this definitely has a party/dancy sounding beat. This track actually took me back to Common's 2008 album Universal Mind Control where almost every song sounded like this. Very futuristic but still club oriented. But still, it's a fun track to kinda take away from the dark depressing sounds of majority of this album. "Hustle Harder" is where he talks about the typical Chi-town chick. Describing her high maintenance, how she plays dudes, how she stays in the streets and so on. Lots of heavy drums in this beat but it was a good one. There was a guest verse from Dreezy who I'm being introduced to for the first time. She wasn't bad. She kinda had somewhat of a Kanye/Nicki Minaj flow but she was cool. On the title track "Nobody's Smiling", Common breaks down exactly why "nobody is smiling" in Chicago. Talks about not only the crime, but the poverty stricken conditions, drug fiends and so on. This was probably the song that lived up to the albums theme the most. The closing track (on the regular edition) "Rewind That", Common reflects on his past. Just basically speaking on his come up in the game and all the people that helped him along the way. Specifically No I.D. and J. Dilla. Awesome track there. Out of the four bonus deluxe edition tracks, "7 Deadly Sins" was my only favorite (however, "Out On Bond" might grow on me). I liked how he broke down every sin in relation to what's going on in Chicago. Definitely dope. My only negatives are again, the bonus tracks. Aside from "7 Deadly Sins" and "Out On Bond", the other two songs really didn't do much for me or the album for that matter. Especially "City To City" which felt more like a short interlude than a song. Also, "Diamonds" is a song I'm trying to let grow on me but I just was not feeling Big Sean on it. I don't know. It just seems him and Common styles don't mesh at all. Plus that whining thing Big Sean was doing on the hook was awful. It may grow on me down the road but I don't know. We'll see. Overall, this was certainly a very impressive and very important project Common has here. It is an album that everyone, especially those in the windy city must listen to. Even thought I felt he could have went further in depth with this concept, the message is strong enough to make that forgettable. I give it a final grade of a B+. Although we sit here and witness what this city is going through, understand Chicago isn't the only city where violence occurs. It's all over. It's an issue that everyone needs to be more aware of along with being apart of the cause to end it. I'm so glad of all rappers it was Common to do this. He's been a very powerful speaker of sorts when it comes to spreading awareness of things like this. Other rappers should take notes from him and follow him. Understand this young generation looks up to rappers and everyone involved with hip hop. It's up to them to be leaders, to be teachers, to set an example. How many people must die before we realize that violence is never the answer people? It's not only up to hip hop, it's also up to us. Don't wait for change to come. Stand up and make a difference yourself. Peace. End.

Final Grade: B+