Be - Common

Very explicit, but very interesting. Not for kids.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Common
  • Genre: Hip-hop
  • Label: Geffen Records
  • Parental Advisory: Yes
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 05/24/2005

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album contains a lot of explicit language and sexual and violent content; there's apparently no edited version available.

Families can talk about the social consciousness and plot twists abundantly present in the lyrics.

Message

Social Behavior:

All over the place, from enlightened and inclusive to sexist, with some racist language.

Consumerism:

CD insert includes ads for a clothing line.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Quite a few drug references.

Violence

Violent imagery.

Sex

Explicit stuff.

Language

Very strong.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Common is often described in the past tense: He used to be called "Common Sense"; he used to be Erykah Badu's boyfriend. Now, along with colleague Kanye West, he has produced BE, a CD that is every bit as uncomfortably explicit as it is intelligent and fascinating. Depending on the track, you'll get messages of astute political commentary, mom's church-going values, nasty sex, gooey love, drugs and violence, or a morality tale with a surprise ending (In "Testify," a wife, testifying at her husband's trial, laughs as he is pronounced "guilty as charged" -- turns out she's the one who did it). There's beautiful soulful singing, hard-edged macho posturing, inclusive inspirational messages, and lyrics that go for the jugular -- the artist obviously delighting in their shock value.

Is it any good?

3
If Common's message is all over the place, his music is not. The whole CD is musically consistent and focused; a strong, controlled producer's hand is evident. The songs sparkle with unusual vividness and tasteful production. One production high point is the sentimental ending of "It's Your World," in which children's voices are heard, saying what they want to be when they grow up. Whether empowering/preachy or explicit/offensive, Common has a lot to say -- and it turns out he says it very well. It's just not appropriate for kids.
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/29/06 by screenfreak24 Adult contributor

great message but alot of cursing

cool stuf and good message but displayed through a birage of cursing common is a intresting artist. the sexual content level is low but in the song "GO" of course it happens to be very high. so to wrap this up i say common is extremely inspiring but not ok for kids 14 or 15 up.
5


Posted on 05/05/06 by BIG PAPA Kid contributor, age 14

i cried & laugehd

i thought that the cd was great cause it sends out a message to the world and the kids a little.it talks about what happens in the world today.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/29/06 by screenfreak24 Adult contributor

great message but alot of cursing

cool stuf and good message but displayed through a birage of cursing common is a intresting artist. the sexual content level is low but in the song "GO" of course it happens to be very high. so to wrap this up i say common is extremely inspiring but not ok for kids 14 or 15 up.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 05/05/06 by BIG PAPA Kid contributor, age 14

i cried & laugehd

i thought that the cd was great cause it sends out a message to the world and the kids a little.it talks about what happens in the world today.

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