Common Gives A Scouting Report On New Chicago Rapper Lil John

Common is one rapper that’s never been afraid to speak his mind. During a recent press run for best-selling video game Destiny, the Chi-town OF talks about Chicago basketball and the city’s thriving music scene.

“We’ve definitely got a strong scene,” said Common. “I don’t know if there’s one place that’s just owning the whole hip-hop culture, but we got a lot of diversity in our artists. You have the new artists—Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, Lil Durk and Lil Bibby and Lil Herb, King Louie and G Count—then you have Lupe, me and Kanye, so that’s diversity.”

Common recently teamed up with some of Chicago’s new talent when he made a guest appearance on Lil Herb’s track “Fight or Flight(Remix).” As one of the city’s elder statesmen, he feels it is important to show his appreciation to them for continuing its hip-hop legacy.

“I was excited, man, because I love Lil Herb and I love Chance,” too, he said. “I was excited to do it. I feel like, when I get to do songs like that, you show a connection that good music is good music and it doesn’t have to be a separation between, like, You come from this era so your music is more authentic. I feel like, if you’re true in this era, if you’re true in the ’80s, ’90s, 2000s then it is what it is. We listen to certain musicians that made music in the ’50s, but if it lasts, it lasts. Like I said, I see Herb and Chance have something that’s real true to them.”

Up next to put the city on the map is a young rapper named Lil John, said Common. “We could look out for him, but that’s maybe four years down the line. That’s like scouting a ball player that’s in sixth grade. I got to say Vic, though. Obviously Vic Mensa is out there now, but I think he’s going to be doing some good stuff with his album project.”

In addition to talking about music, the “Diamonds” rapper also touched on the city’s violence. In the past he has been vocal in about the city’s state, even going as far as to compare it to a war zone. During the interview, he mentioned the many efforts he and other Chi-Town rappers including 2014 XXL Freshman Chance, have put in place to improve its well being.

“My foundation, Common Ground, and Kanye’s Foundation, Donda’s House, worked to get young people in the city 20,000 jobs. At that time, I met his father and you could see that Chance is a reflection of that. He’s real with it; you could see he wants to do some good out there, too.”—Written By Chirs Garner, reporting by Tzvi Twersky

Previously: Dave Chappelle Will Host Common’s AAHH! Fest In Chicago
Common Has No Problem With Using The N-Word In His Songs
Common Thinks Chicago Is A War Zone Right Now