Despite his nom de guerre, there’s nothing common about Common, aka Lonnie Rashid Lynn. He might star in Hollywood movies, work with Kanye and even get invited to read his poetry in the White House (unwittingly stirring up a tempest in a teapot in the process), but none of that makes a difference on his 10th album, Nobody’s Smiling. All of Common’s fame, fortune and clout can’t change the numbing reality of seemingly endless poverty and violence in his Chicago hometown. “A cold world, that’s why we pack heaters,” he declaims. “My world ain’t worldly/Anytime could be my time.” He worries about the future, and his son: “I don’t want my waves following him, the streets swallowing him.” Common samples Curtis Mayfield for soulful emphasis on “The Neighborhood” but is left with no easy solutions.

Mon., Nov. 24, 7 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 11/24/14)

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