From the new single by Common, 'The People':
"Why white folks focus on dogs and yoga
While people on the low end tryin to ball and get over"
Whoa. Mr. Peace, Love, and Gap now unleashing on symbols of white, elitist, culture? Well, at least the ads were for the Gap and not Banana Republic. I'm not sure if this line bothers me because of it's ridiculous racism, hypocrisy, or because I have a dog and my wife has a yoga membership. Something tells me though that the yoga mat isn't completely unknown to Common, here's some personal testimony that his girlfriend has tried it.
Common really bothers me. He has successfully become the current standard bearer for 'conscience,' politically motivated rap, while at the same time becoming a pop-culture icon, staring in Gap commercials, movies, and heading his own fashion line. This situation is ripe for hypocrisy, and Common doesn't seem to see the need to shy away. Meanwhile, his delusions of grandeur continue. Also from 'People':
"Went from rocky starter to a voice of a martyr"
and
"Sick and tired of bunchin it, I look on the bus at them
When I see them struggling, I think how I’m touchin them."
Yeah, I'm sure the poor, dejected, inflexible, dog-hating people on the bus are just ready to get on their knees and worship their martyr. The entire video for 'People' shows Common walking around with, hugging, and generally just lighting up the day of everyday black people on the streets of Chicago. I get the impression his reception may be bit warmer with the clientèle at Gap and Urban Outfitters.
