Fan mail address
Common
Think Common Entertainment
5482 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1630
Los Angeles, CA 90036
USA
Address information
Think Common Entertainment
(Company)
5482 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1630
Los Angeles, CA 90036
USA
Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn on March 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American rapper, actor, writer, and activist known for his poetic lyricism, social consciousness, and versatility across multiple art forms. Emerging in the 1990s as a key figure in hip-hop’s conscious rap movement, Common has expanded his influence well beyond music, becoming a prominent voice in film, literature, and advocacy.
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Common was introduced to music and creativity early on by his mother, Dr. Mahalia Hines, an educator, and his father, Lonnie Lynn Sr., a former ABA basketball player and youth counselor. He attended Luther High School South and later studied at Florida A&M University, where he majored in business administration. The hip-hop scene, however, was his true passion, and he soon devoted himself to music full-time.
Common debuted in 1992 under the name “Common Sense,” releasing his first album, Can I Borrow a Dollar? Although it received mixed reviews, the album showcased his unique style and earned him underground respect. His second album, Resurrection (1994), propelled him further into the limelight, especially with the single “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” a metaphorical ode to hip-hop culture that subtly critiqued its commercialization. The album solidified Common as a thoughtful, introspective lyricist with a deep love for hip-hop’s roots.
