Naledge

A couple weeks ago I worked as a production assistant for MTV2 Sucker Free’s episode about Chicago Hip Hop.  During the shoot, Naledge was asked about the thing that got him hooked on Hip Hop and made him want to be an emcee.  Without batting an eye, Naledge answered, “Common.”  The southside native found something of himself in the emcee once known as Common Sense, and saw a place within Hip Hop for his own stories.  Following up on that convo, Naledge supplies us with his 10 favorite Common records. See what made his list below.

From Naledge:
Com has had a lot of dope songs so it was hard to choose just ten.  “G.O.D” with Cee Lo,  “Resurrection”, and countless others could enter the conversation, but I believe these are his definitive works.  Most of his music fits in stages of his progression and these are the ones I feel are the best from my favorite emcee.

1. “I Used to Love H.E.R.”

Not only the definitive record in his catalog, but one of the most inventive and poignant Hip Hop records of all time.  Using a woman as a metaphor for the game had never been done.

2. “The Corner” feat. Kanye West and Last Poets

This record was the initial release of the work Kanye would have with Com.   It was street poetry at its finest.  The rhyme pattern is so fresh and it signified a switch from electric circus. Last Poets made it so dope.

3. “The Light”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_-qRcHAhzk

Arguably his biggest ‘hit.’  Many women might say it’s his best record.  He made falling in love look cool.

4.  “Testify” /”Stolen Moments Part I” (tie)

One thing I always admired about Com is his storytelling ability. These two are the best examples of that.

5. “Retrospect for Life” feat. Lauryn Hill

I didn’t understand how deep this song was until I was put in a similar situation.  Com was the first to ever talk about the reality of abortion on a rap single. Real deep joint.

6. “Southside” feat. Kanye West

This is good old fashion Hip Hop.  It’s just super fresh. It wasn’t a single but it’s timeless.

7. “Geto Heaven”

Com had a real earthy period when he was dating Erykah and I think this is the best record to come from that bunch of records outside of “The Light.  The musicality was so polished on Like Water for Chocolate.  Poyser, Dilla and Questlove snapped.

8. “Com-munism”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Ux98InKvg

Wordplay at it’s finest.  I had never heard of the concept of using the same prefix to start every bar of a rhyme. ”

9. “Take it EZ”

If you’re an old school Com fan this song will always put a smile on your face.  It was my introduction to his work.

10. “Hungry”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47kNum4fxjk

Arguably the hardest verse com ever wrote. Everyone at De La Salle (my old high school) wanted his simile style after this dropped.