After blowing away New Zealand audiences in 2014 on the Soulfest bill, Common is returning to New Zealand for his first ever headline show. The popular rapper and actor who has won 4 Grammys, recently added to his success by winning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his work on the lead track ‘Glory’ from the movie in which he starred, ‘Selma’. Based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, the film touched the world and garnered Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Known for his energetic live shows, Common starts his tour in New Zealand for one Auckland show on Wednesday May 11th.
Joining Common is special guest Talib Kweli. The Brooklyn-based rapper earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years. The human rights activist can regularly be seen on American TV and in the media discussing current issues affecting the lives of the community, including mass incarceration, economic equality and police brutality. A regular visitor to our shores, Talib is known for putting on an incredible live show.
COMMON
Common is known as one of hip-hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists. The popular Actor, Author, TV & Film Producer, Youth Ambassador, Humanitarian and Designer has released 10 successful albums which easily rank amongst hip-hop’s best, has won 4 Grammy Awards and countless BET, MTV and Billboard Awards. In 2015, Common added to his list of achievements winning a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘Glory’, the lead track from the movie in which he starred, ‘Selma’. Common released his tenth album ‘Nobody’s Smiling’ which was released to critical acclaim in 2014. 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, featuring additional artists including Kanye West, John Legend, Pusha T, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Kid Cudi. In 2007 he made his acting debut co-starring opposite Jeremy Piven and Ben Affleck in ‘Smoking Aces’, and has since gone on to star in many successful Hollywood movies including ‘Selma’, ‘Date Night’, ‘American Gangster’ and ‘Wanted’, plus has appeared on countless TV shows including ‘Hell On Wheels’. Common is currently working on expanding his literary pursuits, acting and producing in film and TV projects, completing his latest album and mixtape, partnering with brands and continuing to inspire youth across the country with his Common Ground Foundation.
TALIB KWELI
The Brooklyn-based rapper earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years. Kweli’s discography is extensive and diverse, with an impressive 7 solo album’s having been released to date, including his third solo album ‘Eardrum’ which, in 2007, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. With a back catalogue including musical partnerships with such names as Kendrick Lamar, The RZA, Raekwon, Symbolyc One, The Neptunes and Justin Timberlake, it was Kweli’s recent announcement that his highly anticipated album ‘Radio Silence’ would be dropping at some stage in the coming months that has reignited the hype surrounding the musician. Whether working with Mos Def as one-half of Black Star, partnering with producer Hi-Tek for ‘Reflection Eternal’, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West or Madlib, Kweli commands attention by delivering top-tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing the ability to rhyme over virtually any type of beat. Admiration for this musical master comes from all corners of the globe. As a renowned MC, producer and music label owner, Kweli and his practice are held in high reverence, receiving praise from some of Hip-Hop’s biggest names, including Jay-Z’s famous ‘Black Album’ rhyme: “If skills sold, truth be told/ I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli”.
