Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., professionally known as Common, is an American rapper, actor, and activist from Chicago, Illinois.
His intelligent and positive lyrics gave him mainstream success in the early 21st century. Common’s reputation as a talented rapper was solidified with his 1994 album “Resurrection” and the iconic single “I Used to Love H.E.R.”
His career expanded beyond music into acting, where he has earned critical acclaim and various prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, and an Emmy Award.
His contributions to music and film and his activism make him a multifaceted and influential figure in the entertainment industry.
Profile
- Full name: Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.
- Nickname: Common
- Date of birth: March 13, 1972
- Age: 52 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Rapper, actor, activist
- Height: N/A
- Parents: Mahalia Ann Hines, Lonnie Lynn
- Siblings: N/A
- Spouse: N/A
- Children: Omoye Assata Lynn
- Relationship status: Single
- Religion: N/A
- Ethnicity: African-American
- Net worth: $45 million
Early Life and Education
Common is now 52 years old, born on March 13, 1972, at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.
He is the son of Mahalia Ann Hines, an educator and former principal, and Lonnie Lynn, a former A.B.A. basketball player turned youth counselor.
After his parents divorced when he was six, his mother primarily raised him in the Calumet Heights neighborhood, though his father remained an active part of his life.
Common attended Luther High School South and later received a scholarship to Florida A&M University, where he majored in business administration for two years before leaving to pursue his music career.
Personal Life
Commonly dated singer Erykah Badu from 2000 to 2002, followed by a two-year relationship with actress Taraji P. Henson starting in 2005. From 2007 to 2010, he was romantically involved with tennis champion Serena Williams.
His relationship with social justice advocate Angela Rye began in 2017 but ended in 2018. They briefly rekindled their relationship in 2019 before splitting again.
His most recent relationship was with actress Tiffany Haddish from mid-2020 to November 2021. Common has a daughter, Omoye Assata Lynn, born in 1997 to his former girlfriend, Kim Jones.
Career
Common began his music career in the late 1980s, forming the rap trio C.D.R. in high school. After the group disbanded, he started his solo career under the stage name Common Sense.
His debut album, “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” was released in 1992. His second album, “Resurrection” (1994), gained critical acclaim and included the hit single “I Used to Love H.E.R.”
Common continued to build his reputation with albums like “Like Water for Chocolate” (2000) and “Be” (2005), collaborating with artists such as Kanye West, J Dilla, and Questlove.
In addition to music, Common has had a successful acting career. He made his film debut in “Smokin’ Aces” (2007) and has appeared in movies like “American Gangster” (2007), “Wanted” (2008), “Selma” (2014), and “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017). He has also been involved in television, starring in the “Hell on Wheels” series from 2011 to 2014.
Common has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” from the film “Selma,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award for “Letter to the Free” from the documentary “13th.”
Awards
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (2003)
- Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (2008)
- Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media (2016)
- Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” (2015)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song – Motion Picture (2015)
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (2017)
Net Worth
Common’s net worth is estimated to be $45 million.
His wealth primarily comes from his successful music and acting careers, various business ventures, and endorsements.
Controversy
Throughout his career, Common has been involved in a few controversies. One notable instance was his feud with Westside Connection, sparked by his 1994 song “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” which criticized hip-hop’s direction, particularly West Coast gangsta rap.
This led to a response from Westside Connection with their song “Westside Slaughterhouse.” The feud was later resolved, and Common became a respected figure in the hip-hop community.
Another controversy arose in 2011 when Common was invited to perform at the White House. Some conservative commentators criticized the invitation, pointing to his past lyrics about police and political figures.
Despite the criticism, Common’s performance went as planned, and he continued to be recognized for his contributions to music and culture.
Social Media
- Instagram: @common]
- Twitter: @common
Filmography
- Smokin’ Aces (2007)
- American Gangster (2007)
- Wanted (2008)
- Street Kings (2008)
- Terminator Salvation (2009)
- Just Wright (2010)
- Date Night (2010)
- Now You See Me (2013)
- Selma (2014)
- Run All Night (2015)
- John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
- The Hate U Give (2018)
- Alice (2022)
Discography
- Can I Borrow a Dollar? (1992)
- Resurrection (1994)
- One Day It’ll All Make Sense (1997)
- Like Water for Chocolate (2000)
- Electric Circus (2002)
- Be (2005)
- Finding Forever (2007)
- Universal Mind Control (2008)
- The Dreamer/The Believer (2011)
- Nobody’s Smiling (2014)
- Black America Again (2016)
- Let Love (2019)
- A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1 (2020)
- A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2 (2021)
Books
- One Day It’ll All Make Sense (2011)
- Let Love Have the Last Word (2019)
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