Common, The Author

Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr, aka Common, has penned an autobiography called, "One Day, It'll All Make Sense." The rapper is from the southside of Chicago and his book reflects that era in his life among other things. He gets very personal in the book and tells the Chicago Sun-Times, “It’s about the evolution of a young man growing into manhood. It’s about love relationships, not only on a romantic level but love for the art you’re doing, music and acting, love for my mother, my daughter... and, of course, Chicago. It’s not only the backdrop on the cover, it’s the backdrop of my life.”

Some of the topics discussed in the book:
How he was going to retire in 1992 after his first album release due to extremely low sales, how singer and first love Erykah Badu broke his heart when she dumped him over the phone, his invite to the White House and his praise for fellow Chicagoan, Kanye West.

On if he felt he knew what it meant to be a man:
“As a man, I take responsibility for things I’m doing, have done or want to do,” he said. “Talking about this stuff helped me see different aspects that make me a man — the sense of self, who you are, things you want in life, things you love, what your values are. A man has to be able to express himself, to say what he needs and wants and do that in any setting, to be himself. But he has to take responsibility... I still ain’t mastered it. I eventually figured it was OK to write this book. Cause at first I was like, have I lived enough? — but I thought I’ve lived enough that it might resonate with someone. I’ve learned about how to be a man in increments. I like that life is a journey, that you never get it all. That’s why, you know, one day it’s all going to make sense.”

His new album “The Dreamer, The Believer” drops in November. Also in November, the 4th to be exact, he stars in an AMC Western cable series called, “Hell on Wheels."

Perhaps in the future I'll bump into him again at an LA area health food market and ask him... does he always buy organic.

Jay-Z And Kanye West Perform "Otis"

Live at the Video Music Awards...


(Thanks to MostDopeMusic247 for the video)

It All Falls Down For Kanye West (Video)

You wonder how one takes a nasty fall in shoes with no heel? Here's your chance to see that happen as Ye West performs in Norway last night.

Kanye West: He Has No Where Else For His Foot To Go

What's the 'ole saying? He put his foot in his mouth. We don't think he has any place else for said foot to go. Once again, Kanye West says something that creates a media fire storm, especially in an industry where a lot of Jews are present. At this point, he has to know, unless he doesn't want to be talked about, mentioning Hitler and people looking at him like he's Hitler, is probably not a good idea. If the majority of people weren't thinking of Kanye as Hitler, they might start now. Do we at rant and roast think he meant anything by it? No.

This past Saturday, West performed at the Big Chill music festival in England. He spoke to the crowd about some of the hard times he has endured from being misunderstood. He is quoted as ranting, "I walk through the hotel and I walk down the street, and people look at me like I'm f**king insane ... like I'm Hitler." He went on to say, "Michael Jordan changed so much in basketball, he took his power to make a difference. It's so much f**king going on in music right now and somebody has to make a f**king difference."

Well, Kanye wants to be the MJ of music and we love Michael Jordan but honestly, the last time we saw MJ he looked like this:

That's some stache. Looks a little like someone else's dont you think?

This is a long video and he does clear up a few things from the past, however if you want to get straight to the Hitler reference, it's at the 6:42 mark and Michael Jordan is at 7:18.

(Video courtesy: rocnationuk)

Beyoncé Covers Complex Magazine

On Kanye West who produced her track, "Party," Beyoncé discusses how Kanye's song, "Runaway" almost drove her to tears and says, “The fact that he’s belting out his pain, his confusion, and his anger, with no pre-written lyrics, was so moving. He’s singing his heart out for five minutes. He is so vulnerable. I love when an artist can be so honest.”

B also had plenty to say about her husband Jay-Z. “Jay’s music is more than music. His lyrics have fathered generations. All that he has overcome gives millions so much hope. There are moments when I see his lips moving and I can see lyrics floating above his head and I think, ‘Wow! How did I get so lucky to be able to witness this level of genius so closely?"

Beyoncé goes on to say what she does when she feels down. "“I only allow myself one day to feel sorry for myself. People who complain really get on my nerves. When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.”

There's one part in this article that some may perceive as, ahem arrogant. However she has the vocals to back that shit up. Here's that part I'm taking about:"...I have an authentic, God-given talent, drive, and longevity that will always separate me from everyone else. I’ve been fortunate to accomplish things that the younger generation of queens dream of accomplishing..."

To read the full article, go to Complex Magazine.

New Music: Jay-Z and Kanye "Otis"

No video yet but hear is a short clip to listed to:


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