Common, one of Chicago’s most beloved rappers, has recently been shifting his focus to health in the hip-hop music industry. Common recently released a book detailing his ever-expanding relationship with wellness and mindfulness: “And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self,” a tribute to celebrating and encouraging health and mental health in Black and Brown communities.

Common visited USC in February to discuss his newly-formed and ever-expanding relationship with mindfulness wellness, health, and himself.  He discusses: “We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop –  this was the 50th anniversary. It’s been an outlet for [Black and Latino People] – it started in the Bronx with Black and Latino people.”

Historically, Hip-Hop has acted as a major outlet for all, especially for the early Black and Latino pioneers of the illusive musical genre. “It’s been a bridge for all nationalities, to get together and just enjoy this art and express ourselves,” explained Common.

Despite the genre being such a powerful and positive influence in the lives of so many, there is a bleak semblance across the genre – one of pain, violence, and grief, extending back as far as to the early 90s where rivalries between artists caused death and disillusion.

Common refers to the concept of a lack of healthcare being a major source of the issues within the industry that still persist today. “One thing we missed out on, in fact, in music, was support for healthcare,” he explains. “I want you [all] to be taking care of yourself and live the healthiest and brightest and happiest life possible.”

“In Hip-Hop, we have so many of these great artists. They try to find out what to do and, and ok to this, to be a musician and you thought that was gonna be your career,” explained Common.

Then, you find that your career doesn’t necessarily support your health or offer you the benefits necessary to take care of yourself. This is a common trend within the music business. Where do musicians go, when their career is so “untraditional,” but they still need to be able to take care of themselves? 

“The simple thing of health care would have benefited so many of the artists that we’re talking about,” nailed down Common.

“As we age, we feel like one of the things that my mother always used to say to me and I the book also is that stress can affect you, and eating 7-Eleven just like, the health and mental health as well as the fact they are all tied together,” said Common.

“I think the stresses that we have experienced are all going, we could have some if we were not a human. And I think, you know, we missed, we missed it in, in that place. And I hope that maybe, you know, for young artists something like that before. 

“You know, this is, this, the industry is not and I’m a big and you just take the on two hands are that you in your lifetime that you’ve changed, stay as successful as, yeah, I can’t even name and even those that might not be as big as the next.

Common reflects on his career, and the fact that he’s experienced many ups and downs across his long and wide musical career: “Ultimately,  those emotional roller coasters –  being popular and not being popular – affect your emotions too.”

Looking to the future, Common hopes to be more instrumental in the future of the next generation in hip-hop music:  “I  think we could do more for young generation students. I mean, I think it’s something I would love to implement with the right people,” explains Common.