Black America Again is a record that challenges listeners to become socially and politically aware, while also promoting equality between men and women and supporting the empowerment of women in society. Chicago-based lyricist Common returns with his 11th studio album in which he expresses his views on the American prison system, as well as the dehumanization of African Americans in the country and black-on-black violence. The rapper focuses on the dangers that exist in inner-city neighbourhoods, and ultimately, how to rise above it all. What we get as a result is a genuinely captivating album beautifully crafted by an artist who has personally experienced the grim realities of life as an African American in Chicago’s Southside.
I have always viewed Common as a contributor of socially conscious hip-hop and a number of tracks on this album such as “Home,” “Pyramids,” and “Letter To The Free,” directly reflect this sentiment. “Black America Again,” the title track and album’s centrepiece, finds Common rallying against the systemic discrimination that has haunted African Americans for centuries, while criticizing the acts of police brutality and black-on-black violence that seem to be getting progressively worse. Here, Common is as angry as ever and razor-sharp in his execution, providing a glimpse into the harsh and inhumane realities that many African Americans face regularly: “I know that Black Lives Matter, and they matter to us / These are the things we gotta discuss / The new plantation, mass incarceration / Instead of educate, they’d rather convict the kids / As dirty as the water in Flint, the system is.”
A somber piano accompanies Common as he continues to raise his voice. The instrumentation in the background continues to build on itself as he becomes more aggressive and vents his frustrations: “Endangered in our own habitat / The guns and dope, man, y’all can have it back / As a matter of fact, we them lab rats / you build the projects for, now you want your hood back.” Common acknowledges the mental health issues and substandard living conditions that continue to plague many African American communities in the U.S. In the wake of racial violence, tensions between law enforcement and minority groups, and the moral panic experienced within communities across the United States, Common stands as the voice for oppressed and disenfranchised African Americans. He assumes the role of a catalyst, attempting to cultivate real, positive change: “We hold these truths to be self-evident / All men and women are created equal / Including black Americans.”
Common also expresses his love and appreciation for women in truly poetic ways on tracks such as “Love Star,” “Red Wine,” and “The Day Women Took Over.” These tracks show his ability to be elegant and passionate, while also acknowledging women as being equal to men and advocating for equal rights between both sexes. Another particular highlight on this album is “Unfamiliar,” a track that instantly reminded me of the time when I first heard “I Can’t Help It” by Michael Jackson, many years ago. “Unfamiliar” may be one of the best songs I have heard in years, as it demonstrates Common’s ability to naturally flow in and out of the track effortlessly, while lyrically, he explores the themes of commitment, equality, and relationships. He is accompanied by Paris Jones, an up-and-coming artist from Greensboro, who contributes to the smooth and relaxing tone of the track with her angelic vocals, as Common expresses his love for his nameless, significant other: “I paint for you a picture, I’m forever in it with ya / Love it when we hang, in my life, you’re a fixture / A mixture of love, laughter, scripture / The right elixir, my spirit I pour to enrich ya / I’m with ya.” The track never seems to lose its touch and becomes better with each subsequent listen.
On Black America Again, Common has crafted one of the greatest albums this decade, an emotionally gripping and politically charged masterpiece that showcases his impeccable skill, powerful lyrics, and immense passion for hip-hop. The album is consistent, seamlessly paced, and executed with such precision; a testament to the high level of artistry that Common must have been striving for when he was making this. Ultimately, Black America Again celebrates black excellence and further solidifies Common’s status as one of the greatest wordsmiths in hip-hop history.
