As the world waits for Common's newest project Nobody's Smiling, one of this year's most anticipated album of 2014, the Chicago native has been in the media a lot. After signing a new deal with Def Jam, he spoke on why he elected to work with Vince Staples (“Kingdom”) and what he learned from him while making the album. The Chi-Town rapper wrote a letter highlighting his first encounter with Maya Angelou, the fond memories the two shared and spoke to CNN on how he feels like it's his duty to help the youth in Chicago. He also spoke a lot about his past relationships with tennis star Serena Williams and Erykah Badu.

Take a look below.

Common On Serena Williams For Vlad TV

“At that time, I think it was the Drake-Serena situation. I didn’t know what was going on with that. And I ain’t know if he was throwing shots at me. [Serena] my ex and we’re going our separate ways. So unfortunately the war might have been over a girl but at the time I never said that. It wasn’t totally that. It was more of do you respect me? Cause I actually like you as an artist.”

Common On Erykah Badu For The Combat Jack Show

“Yeah, the ‘Badu Box’ is real. It can take you to another universe. But seriously that’s when you meet somebody that’s real special and you’re like, ‘Man, this woman got… she got something else man.’ It ain’t just the sex. It ain’t just the looks. It’s like something that’s kind of like spirit-wise where you’re like, ‘This woman got something else.’”

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