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It's been three years since Common left us with "The Dreamer/The Believer". While it had some songs that are very noteworthy....It left me feeling uneasy and wanting more from the legendary MC. I guess I knew the heights that he could take an album because I loved "Be" and "Finding Forever". I first caught wind of this new project "Nobody Smiling" early in 2014 and I was immediately skeptical because I feared this would be a follow-up to "Dreamer/"Believer" and would be another underwhelming effort.
"The Neighborhood"- The Opening track on this "Call To Action" As Common stated and I must say..It was done well. James Fauntleroy provides haunting vocals in the first 30 seconds of the track which is immediatley followed by an equally haunting vocal sample from Curtis Mayfield..The lush track provided by No I.D. provides Common and Lil Herb the musical landscape to illustrate to the listener the parrallells of each of the eras that each rapper has grown up in...What's so disheartening about that is while Common and Herb are 20+ years apart in age, The truth is that the violence that was prevalent in Common's time is the SAME kind that is happening in the present...Nothing has changed.
"No Fear"- Tells the story of " Chris" your average "hustler" that resides in the heart of the Chi. His story is much like many of the kids that are living that same life. While the song doesn't provide an answer..It does provide a stark illustration of what is going on out there...almost like an eyewitness account.
"Diamonds"- Is an interesting song...The production is dope but the content of the song doesn't really fit to me. I'm scared that the continuity of the album has been altered already. How do you go from speaking about the harsh realities of Chicago life on the first two tracks to shining and coming up...you know.. all the things that many of these kids kill for...many of them aspire to that life that Common and Big Sean speak of but some will never live to see it.
"Blak Majik"- Goes even further from the original narrative of the LP and does not get interesting until Jhene Aiko slides through and literally saves the day...Im not sure whats going on now...Is it trying to paint the full picture of Chicago life with these first four songs or is there some hidden metaphor that "Blak Majik" really stands for money or a gun..Who knows...but for now im going to chalk it up as another missed opportunity to same something poignant.
"Speak My Piece" is now the third straight song where Common proceeds to miss another opportunity to say something important. Again the production is dope but what is Common talking about? It sounds as if Common is lazily throwing together rhymes for the sake of rhyming...no real passion here..and the hook is a god-awful use of B.I.G's vocals...If you want to stop all the gun violence in the inner city...why would the hook proceed to "Drill" into these kids heads to "Pack a Piece"...That's like making a song speaking against house fires titled "Im An Arson".
"Hustle Harder"- Brings things back into perspective a tad... It speaks to the women and young girls of the hood. It tells the story of the women that are out there as well and trying to make it happen for themselves and whether it be good or bad..they are doing what they have to do just to survive. Dreezy steals the show because she gives proceeds to spit fire over the track gives you an actual account of what's going on. Good job Dreezy.
"Nobody's Smiling"- The titular track brings things back into full focus...Common proceeds to tell you whats really going on there. Its like he's on the front lines and letting the world know about the violence and despair that is plaguing the city. This needs to be the next single and video..where he walks through the hoods just like he did in the "Sweet" video. Malik Yusef shows up and he really is the Chicago version of Big Rube...and like Big Rube he is very much needed...he gives you the poignant spoken word that resonates with your being..great addition.
"Real" is the sleeper banger of the album. Common gets personal and gives us a glimpse into his upbringing and actually FLOWS all over this track...the beat and hook is so smooth and captures the essence of Com's verses...Im gonna nit pick a little here and say...this song would have been golden if Nas made an appearance...hopefully ill get a remix down the line.
"Kingdom"- The album's lead single and my favorite track thus far. It is what got me intitally excited about the project in the first place. By now many of you have seen the video and Hype Williams captured the song perfectly...There isnt much more to say about this song other than I wish he had two more songs like this to replace "Diamonds" and "Blak Majik"....Vince Staples showcases his lyrically dexterity and again steals the show..another bright star in the making and needs to be listened too..I have a good feeling about him.
"Rewind That"- Closes out the album proper with something that beautiful in concept , structure and execution. It serves as and ode to his friends and ledgendary producers No. I.D. and J Dilla. Each verse details the depth of each relationship and shows Common at his most humble and reflective. I think it really brings the album home on a somber but triumphant note.
If you purchased or downloaded the "Deluxe" version of the album there are three additional songs for your listening pleasure.
"Out On Bond" teams Common up with Vince Staples once more and it immediatley erases the bad taste that that Diamonds left in my mouth...Both MC's don't waste time getting to the point and both gives top notch performances....People please listen to Vince Staples...all of his mixtapes are on Datpiff and LiveMixtapes...I think he's once of those ones....meaning he's next
"7 Deadly Sins"- Is flat out dope...Its like a harder edge version of "Ten Crack Commandments" and it also erases the other bad taste song known as "Speak My Piece"....This song holds up a mirror to the listener and provides a lyrical soundtrack to said sins...Crazy song...its should have been on the regular LP...it needs to be heard.
"Young Hearts Run Free"- The album's official closer...Another song that could have replaced "Blak Majik". The production is phenominal and the songs desparately needs another treatment from Hype Williams...when you hear it you'll understand what I'm talking about.
In ending...this is an album of two halves.. The first half is slightly disjointed and it seems as if Common and company were trying to figure out what direction they wanted to go in with the project. I think thats why Diamonds, Speak My Piece and Blak and Majik are present. By the time the second half rolls around...The project sounds more effortless and focused. Like I mentioned before...The three bonus tracks need to be swtiched with the three aforementioned songs and this album would have been a classic hands down. I tried hard to hate on Common because of the last album but to me "Nobody's Smiling" corrects the wrongs that were "Universal Mind Control" and "The Dreamer/The Believer"...Now lets see how many people will gravitate toward his latest effort.
-LeebHatesRapMusic
Lyrics-8/10 Production- 10/10 Content 8/10 Overall 8.5/10
