Nobody's Smiling

Nobody's Smiling
Studio album by Common
Released July 22, 2014 (2014-07-22)
Recorded 2013-2014
Genre Hip hop
Length 41:32
Label ARTium, Def Jam
Producer Common (exec.), No I.D. (also exec.)
Common chronology
The Dreamer/The Believer
(2011)		 Nobody's Smiling
(2014)
Singles from Nobody's Smiling
  1. "Kingdom"
    Released: May 27, 2014
  2. "Speak My Piece"
    Released: June 30, 2014
  3. "Diamonds"
    Released: July 8, 2014

Nobody's Smiling is the tenth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Common. It was released on July 22, 2014, by Def Jam Recordings and No I.D.'s label ARTium Records.[1] Following the release of his 2011's album The Dreamer/The Believer, Common took a hiatus from musical endeavors. In 2013, he returned to the studio and began working his tenth album and later revealed that the production, much like his previous effort, would be handled entirely by his longtime collaborator and record producer No I.D.. In 2014, Common signed a recording contract with No I.D.'s ARTium Records, through Def Jam Recordings, for the distribution of the album.

The title and concept of the album was inspired by the violence and high crime rate in Common's hometown of Chicago, Illinois. The album features guest appearances from Lil Herb, Big Sean, Jhené Aiko, Snoh Aalegra, Dreezy, Elijah Blake, Vince Staples and Cocaine 80s. The album was supported by three singles: "Kingdom" featuring Vince Staples, "Speak My Piece" and "Diamonds" featuring Big Sean.

Background

In 2012, Common announced that he would release an extended play (EP) in January 2013, and his first mixtape in April.[2] In February 2013, Common announced his tenth solo studio album would be released in September 2013 and will feature Kanye West, as well as production from West and No I.D..[2] Later on September 8, 2013, he gave an update to his projects saying the previously announced EP would be released soon, and would feature a song with new Def Jam signee Vince Staples. He also told HipHopDX, his tenth solo studio album would now be released in early 2014.[3]

On January 6, 2014, Common announced the title of his tenth studio album to be Nobody Smiling and revealed it would be produced entirely by his longtime collaborator No I.D.. Common also revealed the album would feature Vince Staples, James Fauntleroy and "some new artists from Chicago." The concept of the album was inspired by his troubled hometown of Chicago: "We came up with this concept 'nobody's smiling.' It was really a thought that came about because of all the violence in Chicago," he says. "It happens in Chicago, but it's happening around the world in many ways." He continues, "We was talking about the conditions of what's happening, when I say 'nobody's smiling.' But it's really a call to action."[4][5][6] On June 4, 2014, it was announced Common signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and No I.D.'s ARTium Records.[1] It was also announced that Nobody Smiling would be released July 22, 2014.[1]

On June 25, 2014, the concept behind the album was revealed along with two album covers, one which features Common scowling, while the other one features the faces of two up-and-coming Chicago-based rappers Lil Herb and King L.[7][8] According to Common, he saw his album cover as “a way to give back” and bring attention to artists who may not be as well known outside of Chicago. He also added that those featured on his album cover art were grateful and curious as to why he chose to include them: “For me those covers, putting Lil Herb, putting Dreezy, putting Lil Bibby. Some people don’t know about them. I know about them and the Chi know about em. And it’s some people in the world that know about em. You see em on certain Hip Hop avenues, but everybody don’t know about em. And for me putting em on my album cover is a way to give back. Saying ‘Look, we are all one in the same.’ You know what I’m saying? ‘I see y’all I see me. So, that’s why I’m putting y’all on my cover.’ I don’t need to be on the cover. I ain’t even in my first video…I asked em. I called them. I was like ‘Man, I want y’all to be on the cover of the album.’ And they all came to this hotel room and we took the pictures…King Louie was grateful. Cats was grateful. They also was getting like—Trying to understand ‘Man, what Common on?’ Cause they didn’t know me that well.”[9]

Release and promotion

In April 2013, Common released a song, titled "Congratulations" featuring Cocaine 80s, a supergroup, consists himself, No I.D. and several other artists.[10] In March 2014, Common was featured on a mixtape, titled Catch the Throne, which was presented by HBO, in promotion for the new season of their show Game of Thrones.[11] In May 2014, before he released his new single "Kingdom", Common released a minute-long trailer for the forthcoming Hype Williams-directed video.[12][13] On June 4, 2014, Common announced the album would be released on July 22, 2014.[14][15] On June 25, 2014, Common unveiled the album's artwork and two days later released the album's track-listing.[16][17][18] Common continued his promo run with a sit down with Hard Knock TV. During the interview he spoke on the concept behind his tenth studio album, working with Vince Staples, why the track he and Chance the Rapper made didn't make the final cut, "Chi-raq" and the efforts he and fellow Chicago-bred rappers (Twista, Rhymefest, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West) are making to improve life in Chicago.[19] [20][21] In July 2014, in an interview on The Combat Jack Show, Common revisits his days growing up in Chicago, being inspired by Michael Jordan, house music, Chicago mayor Harold Washington, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and how this album addresses the current plight of black on black crime in Chicago.[22][23]

Singles

The album's first single, titled "Kingdom", features his fellow new Def Jam label-mate Vince Staples and was released to iTunes on May 27, 2014.[24] The 7-minute music video for the song was uploaded on Vevo on June 21, 2014. It was shot on location in Common’s hometown, Chicago and Galesburg, Illinois and was directed entirely by Hype Williams (with whom Common previously worked with on Universal Mind Control in 2008).[25][26] A remix of "Kingdom", featuring a new verse from Jay Electronica, was released on September 24, 2014.[27]

The second single, titled "Speak My Piece", was released via digital distribution on June 30, 2014.[28] On July 8, 2014, "Diamonds", featuring Common's former GOOD Music label-mate Big Sean, was released as the album's third single.[29]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic78/100[30]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[31]
The A.V. ClubC+[32]
Consequence of SoundB[33]
Exclaim!8/10[34]
The Guardian[35]
HipHopDX[36]
Pitchfork Media7.7/10[37]
PopMatters6/10[38]
Rolling Stone[39]
XXL[40]

Nobody's Smiling was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received an average score of 78, which indicates "generally positive reviews", based on 21 reviews.[30] Andy Kellman of AllMusic said, "While Nobody's Smiling was inspired by the tragic condition of Common's hometown of Chicago, its incorporation of a relevant-as-ever song from 1970, recorded by a Chicagoan in Chicago, is an acknowledgment of how inner-city struggles are a constant, not a trend. The rapper/actor's geographic and economic distance can be cited as a reason to approach Nobody's Smiling with a cocked brow."[41] Jay Balfour of HipHopDX stated, "Nobody’s Smiling is defiant, as full of commanding musicality as it is of Common’s own provocation. Of his recent output, it deserves to be the most touted since that 2005 darling. It’s one of his best since he started, and like the album itself does about Chicago’s current crisis, that says plenty."[36] Del F. Cowie of Exclaim! said, 'While not flawlessly executed, Common arguably regains some of the relevance he may have lost from his last couple of albums with the focus of Nobody's Smiling."[34] Stephen F. Kearse of Paste said, "In the end, Common is just too good of a rapper: he is most poignant when he is rapping and writing about himself. This is both a badge that he has earned and one that he wears quite well, but on Nobody’s Smiling it works against him. He set out to depict the pains of contemporary Chicago, but he ended up just making another Common album."[42]

Simon Vozick-Levinson of Rolling Stone said, "Nobody's Smiling, again produced by old Chi-town friend No I.D., features plenty of younger artists – check rising Cali rapper Vince Staples' blunted musings on the gospel-laced "Kingdom." More important, it has some of Com's tightest storytelling in years. If the bittersweet memory-lane stroll he takes on "Rewind That" doesn't move you even a little, you might be heartless."[39] Reed Jackson of XXL stated, "But not all of Nobody’s Smiling is stony-faced and grim. Beyond its important purpose amid the violence, it’s also a chance for Common to look back once again at the place that birthed him. That means nostalgia often shines through in his lyrics, especially on the heartfelt “Rewind That,” which serves as a tribute to his late great friend and old roommate J. Dilla, as well as No I.D. and Twilite Tone, another producer that helped him get his start. On it, he rhymes, “For the future of the, Chi we gon’ bring it back home.” One thing that we’ve learned from Common over the years is that, even with its flaws, there’s no place like home."[40] Sheldon Pearce of Consequence of Sound said, "Nobody’s Smiling is a well-rounded discourse on gang violence and inner city plight in Chicago that translates to almost every urban city in America. It is a triumph for conscious rap in a city that could use more self-awareness. Common continues to act as the voice of his city, further opening the dialogue on the problems that scourge it. Nobody’s Smiling is a warning. Hopefully, it wont be a eulogy."[33]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 24,000 copies in its opening week giving Common his third top ten on the chart and his highest-charting album since Finding Forever debuted at number one in 2007.[43] In its second week, the album dropped to number 29, selling 8,000 copies.[44] In its third week, the album dropped to number 56, selling 4,978 copies, bringing its total album sales to 37,581 copies.[45]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "The Neighborhood" (featuring Lil Herb and Cocaine 80s)Lonnie Lynn, Herbert "Lil Herb" Wright, James Fauntleroy II, Ernest Wilson, Curtis Mayfield 3:58
2. "No Fear"  Lynn, Wilson 3:12
3. "Diamonds" (featuring Big Sean)Lynn, Sean Anderson, Wilson 3:53
4. "Blak Majik" (featuring Jhené Aiko)Lynn, Jhené Chilombo, Wilson, James Poyser 3:19
5. "Speak My Piece"  Lynn, Wilson, Randy Alpert, Deric Angelettie, Andy Armer, Sean Combs, Ron Lawrence, Christopher Wallace 3:51
6. "Hustle Harder" (featuring Snoh Aalegra and Dreezy)Lynn, Leon Michels, Snoh "Aalegra" Nowrozi, Kirby Dockery, Seandrea Sledge, Wilson, Alexander Izquierdo 3:58
7. "Nobody’s Smiling" (featuring Malik Yusef)Lynn, Wilson, Malik Yusef 4:16
8. "Real" (featuring Elijah Blake)Lynn, Sean Fenton, Wilson, Oliver Scott, Steve Wyreman, Ronald Wilson 3:22
9. "Kingdom" (featuring Vince Staples)Lynn, Vince Staples, Wilson, Poyser, Ernest Fowler 6:22
10. "Rewind That"  Lynn, Wilson, Thomas Keith, Poyser 5:21
Sample credits (samples are taken from the album's liner notes)

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart[47] 138
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[48] 12
US Billboard 200[49] 6
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[50] 1

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Grammy Winner COMMON Signs to No I.D.'s Artium/Def Jam Recordings - BWWMusicWorld". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  2. 1 2 Horowitz, Steven J.Common To Release An EP, Album & Mixtape In 2013 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2013-02-13.
  3. ↑ Smith, Bruce (September 8, 2013). "Common Promises EP & Details Vince Staples Collaboration | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
  4. ↑ "Common Announces New Album 'Nobody Smiling'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  5. ↑ Kennedy, John (January 7, 2014). "Watch: Common Reveals Guests On 'Nobody Smiling' LP". Vibe.
  6. ↑ Ortiz, Edwin (2014-01-06). "Common to Release New Album "Nobody Smiling" In 2014, Entirely Produced by No I.D. | Complex | Making Culture Pop". Complex. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  7. ↑ "Common Explains The Concept Behind "Nobody's Smiling" Album Covers". Defjam.com. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  8. ↑ "Common Recruits Lil Herb, King Louie for ‘Nobody’s Smiling’ Cover Art". Rap-Up.com. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  9. ↑ Harling, Danielle. "Common Explains Lil Herb & Lil Bibby's Appearance On "Nobody's Smiling" Cover Art | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  10. ↑ "New Music: Common f/ Cocaine 80s – ‘Congratulations’". Rap-Up.com. 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  11. ↑ "Common Drops 'Game Of Thrones' Inspired Track "The Ladder" Okayplayer". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  12. ↑ "Video: Common ft. Vince Staples – Kingdom (Trailer)". Nah Right. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  13. ↑ "Common f. Vince Staples - "Kingdom" (Video Trailer) | Watch Hip Hop Music Videos & New Rap Videos". HipHop DX. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  14. ↑ "Common Signs to No I.D.’s Artium/Def Jam Label". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  15. ↑ "Common Signs To Def Jam, Announces "Nobody’s Smiling" Release Date". Slumz.boxden.com. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  16. ↑ Norton, Jacquie. "Common Shows Love To Chicago Rappers on "Nobody’s Smiling" Album Covers (Plus Tracklist)". The Source. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  17. ↑ "Common Reveals 'Nobody's Smiling' Tracklist, Cover Art". Vibe. 2014-06-29. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  18. ↑ "Common Gives Young Chicago Rappers A Big Look On Nobody's Smiling Cover Art". MTV. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  19. ↑ "Common Talks Obama, Fox News, Racism, New Book + Blue Sky - BTS".
  20. ↑ Meara, Paul (2014-07-05). "Common Remembers Maya Angelou's Life, Stories She Told Him About Tupac | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  21. ↑ Legend (2011-10-24). "Common Interview With HardknockTV (Part 2) | OnSMASH". Freeonsmash.com. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  22. ↑ "Common "Combat Jack Show" Interview". Complex. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  23. ↑ Walsh, Peter. "Common Explains The Power Of Erykah Badu's "Box" On The Combat Jack Show - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  24. ↑ "Kingdom (feat. Vince Staples) – Single – iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  25. ↑ MTV.com (2014-06-21). "Common Tells A Cautionary Tale In ‘Kingdom’ Video". MTV. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
  26. ↑ YouTube (2014-06-18). "Common – Kingdom (Explicit) ft. Vince Staples – YouTube". YouTube; Vevo. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
  27. ↑ "Common f. Vince Staples & Jay Electronica - "Kingdom (Remix)"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. September 24, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Speak My Piece [Explicit]: Common: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  29. ↑ "Diamonds [feat. Big Sean] [Explicit]: Common: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  30. 1 2 "Reviews for Nobody's Smiling by Common". Metacritic. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  31. ↑ Andy Kellman. "Nobody's Smiling - Common | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  32. ↑ Thurm, Eric (2014-07-22). "Common fails to solve Chicago’s gun violence problem with his music". Avclub.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  33. 1 2 Cosores, Philip (2014-07-22). "Common – Nobody’s Smiling". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  34. 1 2 Cowie, Del F. "Common - Nobody's Smiling". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  35. ↑ Lanre Bakare (2014-07-17). "Common: Nobody's Smiling review – a rousing state-of-Chicago address | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  36. 1 2 Balfour, Jay. "Common - Nobody's Smiling | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  37. ↑ Drake, David (July 25, 2014). "Common: Nobody's Smiling". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  38. ↑ Aspray, Benjamin. "Common: Nobody's Smiling". PopMatters. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  39. 1 2 Simon Vozick-Levinson (2014-05-17). "Common 'Nobody's Smiling' Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  40. 1 2 Jackson, Reed. "Common Sheds More Light On Chicago With 'Nobody's Smiling'". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  41. ↑ Andy Kellman. "Nobody's Smiling - Common". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  42. ↑ Kearse, Stephen F. "Common: Nobody's Smiling Review". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2014-08-03.
  43. ↑ Tardio, Andres. "Hip Hop Album Sales: Common, Trey Songz, Iggy Azalea". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  44. ↑ Tardio, Andres (2014-03-08). "Hip Hop Album Sales: PARTYNEXTDOOR, Iggy Azalea, Common". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  45. ↑ Tardio, Andres (2014-08-13). "Hip Hop Album Sales: Iggy Azalea, Trey Songz, Ces Cru". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-08-13.
  46. ↑ "Common - Nobody's Smiling (Deluxe Edition)". Target. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  47. ↑ "02.08.2014 (wk30) : CHART LOG UK: NEW ENTRIES UPDATE". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  48. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Common – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Common. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Common – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Common. Retrieved July 28, 2014.

External links

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