Whether he’s filming another movie headlined by the biggest stars in Hollywood or touring the country like a whirlwind to promote his latest CD, Chicago born-and-bred hip hop star Common can’t be stopped. Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., Common debuted in 1992 with the album "Can I Borrow A Dollar?" and maintained a significant underground following into the late 1990s. His first major label album, "Like Water For Chocolate,” received widespread critical acclaim. Its popularity was matched by 2005's "Be,” which was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for Best Rap Album. Not resting on his musical laurels, Common has embarked on a film career, starting with a role in the action thriller, "Smokin Aces,” followed by a part in "American Gangster ” starring Denzel Washington, among Common’s other cinematic ventures.
As a post script to his cover story in the October/November 2007 issue of Urban Influence Magazine, Common goes outside of his musical and moviemaking self to offer a few more “Influential Thoughts” in UIM’s newest website feature.

UIM: What does it mean to you to be from Chicago?
Common: One of the biggest blessings of my life is that I’m from Chicago because it created a soul in me and a certain authentic spirit and aura and authentic personality that I feel Chicagoans have. It’s a certain warmth with a little bit of southern feel but with city slickness and city intelligence.

Being that Chicago is a soulful city, a black city, it gave me a lot to know who I am; a lot of foundation. Being that it’s so blue collar, you don’t deal with a lot of the facades that you may get in the entertainment industry in other places. It has a history of jazz, blues, gangbanging and movement. I love being from there. I got to see real life and real people. I’m a reflection of that. I’m really grateful to be from Chicago.

Do you consider yourself a sex symbol?
No, I don’t. I want to look good and I love getting love from the women
but I don’t really consider myself a sex symbol. That’s not what my mission is. I want to look good, I want to feel good and I want to feel good about the way I look but I guess it just stops right there.

Who will be the next president of the United States?
Barack Obama. I’m thinking that, and I believe it.

Besides hip hop what other types of music do you listen to? Who are some of your favorite artists?
Jazz is one of my favorite genres of music. I love John Coltrane. I love Herbie Hancock. I love Nina Simone, Thelonius Monk, Donald Byrd.

Describe your ideal woman.
My ideal woman is a very spiritual lady; a woman who really is caring, a giver, who loves giving to people and is very respectful of people. A beautiful woman; a woman who is strong but still very soft and lady-like, and knows how to have fun and can relate to all walks of life.