Common gave lucky Chicagoans a preview of his upcoming album “Nobody’s Smiling” during a listening session in his hometown.

Common linked with Rhymefest to make the event possible.

Common was honored to have the opportunity to preview the project to fellow Chicagoans.

“It’s nothing like being able to come home with something you care about and get to be around the city you care about…and be around people you care about,” he said. “Something you grew up with. Something you seen along the way.”

Common said the violence in his hometown inspired him to record the album.

“We started talking about what was going on here in Chicago and how tough the situation is,” he said. “And we came to the thought of ‘Nobody Smiling.’ But we didn’t want people to stay in that situation. That’s not the type of people we are. …We want change.”

Common regarded his album as a “Call to action.”

“We’re not going to ignore this problem,” he said. “We’re not going to act like we’re not a part of this.”



Common stated in a Revolt TV interview his forthcoming album was initially an EP. He went on to explain the inspiration behind the project.

“…We just been making a lot of songs, myself and No I.D., and I like the direction,” he explained. “We came up with this concept “Nobody Smiling” because of all the violence that was going on in Chicago.

“We gone bring to fruition that’s it’s gon stop,” Common continued. “All the violence, it happens in Chicago, but it happens around the world….it’s happening in the inner cities all over America. We talking about the conditions of what’s happening. I said “Nobody Smiling,” but it’s really a call to action.”

Common’s tenth studio album is slated to drop July 22.

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