COMMON REFLECTS ON ‘BE’ ALBUM & WORKING W/ J. DILLA

Rapper Common discusses his 2005 album Be in the latest installment of the exclusive film series Classic Albums By Classic Artists presented by Reebok Classics & Rock The Bells.

In short clip, the Chicago-native talked about teaming up with fellow Chicagoan Kanye West to produce his second gold record and shared what it was like working with the late producer, J Dilla one last time before his passing:

"When were were recording be, JD was my roommate and we moved out here to LA. He still was getting up everyday, making beats right in our little dining room at the table, going through records, cooking up beats…That’s an MC’s joy to have J. Dilla in the dining room when you wake up, making beats! [...] He wasn’t able to work consistantly; he was in an out of the hospital. It was a very tough time. He even made beats in the hospital. But we worked on the album a little bit. He just wan’t able to be there all of the time. That was the last time we were able to work physically, together."

JAY-Z X KANYE WEST & MORE TOAST TREY SONGZ AND MELANIE FIONA'S ROCAWEAR CAMPAIGN

Celebrations for Trey Songz and Melanie Fiona‘s first official fashion campaign for Rocawear reached a peak last night in New York City. The artists were toasted at a glittering event sponsored by Hennessy Black and GQ magazine inside opulent, open-air venue Provocateur.

ADIDAS ORIGINALS :: MAYER HAWTHORNE AT THE HVW8 + DESIGN GALLERY

adidas Originals presents an Original performance by Mayer Hawthorne and The County at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery.

Mayer Hawthorne is the new school soul sensation who counts his musical influences with the likes of Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White, but draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr.

Audience in attendance included various members of LA industry tastemakers and VIP retail accounts. Attendees walked through the front of the gallery and were treated to custom silk-screened tee-shirts featuring Mayer Hawthorne and adidas graphics, and art installations by emerging artists.

Guests were directed to the back of the building to the parking lot which was transformed into an open air pop up performance venue complete with a stage, white walls and black astro turf. Large-scale artwork was hung on these walls and adidas branded display pedestals showcased adiRise shoes. 20 pairs of adiRise shoes were strung up on a large wire that spanned the width of the stage in alternating grey and white colors, while a massive backdrop featured adidas and Mayer Hawthorne graphics. A viewing area equipped with a plasma television provided entertainment for those interested in the World Cup. Crown Royale and DJ House Shoes played before and after Mayer Hawthorne and The County performed four of their most well-known songs. All guests indulged in delicious soul food from Chef Alisa Reynolds and drinks were provided by Aashi beer, smartwater/vitaminwater, Hansen’s, and Vita Coco.

Notable guests included: DJ Jedi of Digable Planets, Hawthorne Hunters, Krondon, Noelle, Jamaal Layne, V. Money, Nia Andrews, Gaslamp Killers & Jamal, Joyrich and Lovemade representatives.

THE POWER OF WHAT 40 CENTS CAN BUY... (RED) PSA FOR THE LAZARUS EFFECT CAMPAIGN

COMMON + QUEEN LATIFAH + PAULA PATTON = JUST WRIGHT

Common plays a star player for the New Jersey Nets who is in a relationship with (On-screen groupie) Paula Patton but falls for her friend Queen Latifah who plays Physical Thearapist after he is injured.

D. Wade, Dwight Howard, John Legend, and Elton Brand make seamless cameo's in this film. I am sure this will help boost NETS attendance next season because good old Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter will find a way to integrate season tickets with movie tickets...lol.

GATORADE SUPERBOWL XLIV COMMERCIAL: NARRATED BY COMMON

12 begin the second season
12 tribes converge
12 plead
12 hang on every word
12 grind themselves for the struggle
12 take the field
but 12 become 8

8 collide
8 pay the toll
8 perform something selfless, relentless, beautiful
but 8 become 4

4 catch their breath
4 clear their heads
4 pick up the pieces
4 recover
4 try to be better, play harder
but 4 become 2

2 will emerge
2 will clash
2 will battle
and while 2 show us the heart, hustle and soul of the game

1 will be remembered