What is the best Common album?

Three decades of jazzy boom bap, bold experiments and soul-baring poetry from Chicago. Some fans swear by the early records, others by the polished mid-2000s run.

1. 1
   Like Water for Chocolate

   A 2000 Soulquarians-era album, often named his masterpiece.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Be

   Kanye West-produced 2005 album that returned Common to critical acclaim.
   794pts
3. 3
   Finding Forever

   The 2007 album, again produced largely by Kanye West, that reached No. 1.
   680pts
4. 4
   Nobody's Smiling

   A 2014 album about Chicago, produced by No I.D.
   600pts
5. 5
   Universal Mind Control

   A 2008 Neptunes-produced, club-friendly experiment.
   529pts
6. 6
   Electric Circus

   An adventurous 2002 genre-blending album.
   529pts
7. 7
   Can I Borrow a Dollar?

   Common's 1992 debut, released as Common Sense, with a youthful Chicago voice.
   448pts
8. 8
   Resurrection

   The 1994 album that made Common a conscious-rap favorite, produced by No I.D.
   353pts
9. 9
   One Day It'll All Make Sense

   A 1997 album with a wide guest list and reflective storytelling.
   353pts
10. 10
    The Dreamer/The Believer

    A 2011 album produced by No I.D. in a return to his roots.
    353pts
11. 11
    A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2

    A 2021 socially conscious album featuring several guests.
    353pts
12. 12
    Black America Again

    A 2016 politically charged album with Robert Glasper and others.
    240pts
13. 13
    Let Love

    A 2019 collaboration with Karriem Riggins, Grammy-winning.
    240pts

Comments