Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. is anything but ordinary. Even with adopting the moniker Common, the Windy City’s award-winning rapper spread his hip hop gospel about everything from socio, eco and politico issues to how he used to love h.e.r with an ease that was anything but…common. As his music fans eagerly anticipate his next album, The Dreamer, The Believer (scheduled for release in December) Common, the actor, is quickly becoming a marquee fave starring opposite screen gems such as Taraji P. Henson, Queen Latifah and Angelina Jolie. And in his latest endeavor as an author, he’s sharing his life’s journey in his New York Times best-selling tome, One Day It Will All Make Sense (Simon & Schuster), hailed as a “magnificent memoir” by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Blackenterprise.com talked to the busy lyricist about why he thinks his book resonates with readers, love lessons learned from relationships with Erykah Badu and Serena Williams, and his plans to make one lil’ golden man an integral part of his future.
Blackenterprise.com: Congrats on becoming a New York Times best-selling author. Why do you think your story has been so well-received?
Common: The book is honest and people can relate to a lot of my experiences and what I have gone through in life. You don’t have to be from the south side of Chicago to relate. Everyone goes through love, a heart break, being ridiculed, feeling insecure or trying to reach that moment when you really believe in yourself.
After completing your book, was there anything you changed or thought about omitting?
On the real, after I wrote it I didn’t read it too much. I said what I said and let it go. Sometimes you ask yourself if you should revise your thoughts. I didn’t want to have that feeling of, Awww man, maybe I shouldn’t have said that because people might think this or that of me. If you think wrong of me then that’s something I’d have to accept. What I wrote were my first thoughts and that’s the way I wanted it to remain: authentic.
At one moment in your life, you were often perceived by others as a Mama’s Boy. Do you agree?
I wasn’t that much of a Mama’s Boy. In many ways, as young man, what I knew about most were women because my mom is a very important piece of my life. Although I was doing other things, I still was influenced by my mother because that’s what happens when you grow up and don’t have your father there. Even with my stepfather, I didn’t connect with him enough to be able to take in what he was saying. I definitely felt I had to establish who I was.
Which chapter of your book resonates most with you?
My open letter to [my ex-girlfriend, singer] Erykah [Badu] is a chapter in my life that resonates with me. It was a time of reflection. I learned a lot about Rashid Lynn when I was with Erykah. During our relationship, I often chose to think, I’ll chill and let other people get their way, because that’s just who I was in all of my relationships with friends and family. I’d choose to take a [backseat], and getting to see that in myself while she and I were together was enlightening. I eventually realized I don’t need to be that person. I learned to speak my mind and be the man I’m supposed to be. It was a release.
What lessons did you learn while dating tennis great Serena Williams?
As far as me being in love, I’ve learned to just be myself–more of a man–in any relationship, whether I was dating Serena or whomever. Finally, I feel I’m able to be me and really know what I want and make steps toward those things that are special to me. Like I want children, I want to have a home, I should be starting a family. One difference between Erykah and Serena was that the [presence of] paparazzi is much stronger now than it was in 2000 and 2001. Serena’s a super international star and my profile [when we were] together was a [big deal] for some people. I remember when I made the cover of the Chicago Sun Times
for the first time it was in the middle of our relationship and I’m thinking, This is for real. People are paying attention. But I handle [the attention] the way real men do: Keep family and personal business in your home. Now, that doesn’t mean if that’s your woman you go out with her and not feel proud about [being with] her [like it’s a big secret]; but you don’t have to let everyone know what’s going on in your relationship.Even with living under a microscope, you’ve excelled in your music and film careers, even making it to the White House despite Fox News coining you a “gangster rapper.†How did you combat the negativity?
That was a monumental moment for me to recite poetry at White House for the first Black president and the first lady. I wondered if [the Fox News report] affect my participation, but once I was reassured that I was going to be able to go to the White House, I was honored. The crazy thing is Fox News knew who I was and did a story on me a few years ago saying I was a positive and good artist. Then later on down the line you have Bill O’Reilly saying I’m not. It makes you wonder: Are they even communicating with one another
? I’m not here to pick them apart. I just really thought, they don’t know who I am and they are trying to bring Obama down and it’s not working.What’s the most sound business advice you’ve received?
To save as much money as possible, spend wisely and always observe and surround yourself with intelligent people who have goals.
Make sense. Now what’s this we hear about you playing a slave?
(Laughs) It’s [a TV show] called Hell on Wheels and airs on AMC [Sundays, 10pm EST]. It deals with issues of the transcontinental railroad set in 1865, and I play a freed slave rebel. We address issues that are relevant today—relationship drama, racial injustice and how greed affects us.
As you look to the future, what is your five-year plan?
To be married, have a family, own a television production company, become a Hollywood leading man, own homes in L.A. and New York (well, I have that, but more), keep my foundation Common Ground more elevated and…oh yeah, win an Oscar.
See a clip from Common’s new show, Hell on Wheels, airing this Sunday, below.