Common-Finding Forever

Common's seventh record partly an homage to J. Dilla.

Last night at New York's Sony Studios, rapper/actor Common played VIBE several stand-out tracks from his seventh album, Finding Forever, out July 10. The title, as he explained, refers to the idea of Jay Dee living on forever in the music. (Jay Dee, aka J Dilla, born James Yancey, passed on February 10, 2006 due to complications from lupus. He was Common's roommate and produced most of 2000's Like Water for Chocolate.)

Some track titles and features (list is incomplete; sequencing not yet set):
"The People" (featuring Dwele; prod. by Kanye West)
"Black Maybe" (featuring Bilal; prod. by Kanye West)
"I Want You" (prod. will.i.am)
"Southside" (featuring and prod. by Kanye West)
"Misunderstood" (Nina Simone sample; prod. by Devo Springsteen)
"Drivin Me Wild" (featuring Lily Allen; prod. by Kanye West)
"So Far to Go" (featuring D'Angelo; prod by Jay Dilla)
"Break My Heart" (prod. by Kanye West)
"Start the Show" (prod. by Kanye West)

Common stated that on some tracks, West tried to chop beats in the same fashion as Dilla as a way of honoring him. He said that it had been difficult for him to come home to his apartment and not see Dilla on the couch watching "whatever show comes on in the morning." (It was determined said show was either "Maury Povich" or "Montel Williams.") But that he knew Dilla lived on in the music.


http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/04/common_new_album/