Event: Common at The Regency Ballroom, Wed, Nov 26 8:00p

[clubmaster]

With his multi-Grammy Award winning music career, continued work in film and television, and multiple written works, Common has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought after leading men. His numerous previous accomplishments in film and music include starring on the silver screen in films such as Smokin Aces, American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, Just Wright, The Odd Life Of Timothy Green, Luv, and the recently released Now You See Me. Common also stars in the acclaimed Amc TV series, Hell On Wheels. Recently finishing its third season, Common plays the role of “Elam,†a freed slave who comes west in post- Civil War America seeking work on the Transcontinental Railroad. Prior to acting, Common rose to prominence as one of hip hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over eight albums and garnering multiple Grammy Awards. In 2004, he partnered with Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye West to produce the album Be, which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. In 2007 Common released his critically acclaimed seventh album Finding Forever where it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and it went on to earn a Grammy award. His eighth album, Universal Mind Control, was released in 2008 and was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album. COMMON’S highly anticipated ninth album, The Believer, The Dreamer, was released to critical acclaim by Warner Bros. Records on December 20th, 2011. On September 18th, 2012 Common joined forces with the rest of the G.O.O.D. Music crew to release the highly anticipated Cruel Summer album. Additional artists on the album include Kanye West, John Legend, Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Kid Cudi. Common plans to release his first mixtape in April of this year followed by his tenth solo album in September. Common also offers an even younger generation a better understanding of selfrespect and love, by utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop in the children’s books he has written. His first book, entitled The Mirror and Me, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. His follow-up book I Like You But I Love Me was nominated for an Naacp Image Award, and in 2008 he released his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions). Common recently added to this list of accomplished written works with his revealing memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, which made the prestigious New York Times Best Seller list upon release. Every aspect of his life’s journey was unveiled in this deeply personal account of who Common is and the people, faith and events that have shaped and molded him into the award-winning, critically acclaimed conscious artist of today. In addition to his music, film, and literary pursuits, Common has been the face, voice and inspiration behind some of the largest consumer brands in the country. Common was the voice of Gatorade’s G Series Sports Drink commercial that was launched during Super Bowl 2010. In 2009, he was announced as the face of the new Diesel men’s fragrance Only the Brave and he partnered with Microsoft as the inspiration and one of the designers to launch their Softwear clothing t-shirt line. Common is a regularly requested guest speaker known to motivate and empower collegiate minds while speaking at prestigious universities across the country. In 2000, he launched his own philanthropic effort, The Common Ground Foundation, whose mission is dedicated to the empowerment and development of disadvantaged youth in urban communities by mentoring in three areas: character development, creative expression and healthy living. Whether inspiring audiences through music, movies, television, books or his foundation, Common continues to break new ground, and remains to be one of hip-hop’s most innovative, positive voices. ~AXS