Common takes a different direction on his latest single, "Universal Mind Control."
The song is definitely meant for juke dancers and the b-boy set. Hip hop culture children will dig the strong tribute to Afrika Bambaataa's "Planet Rock," the classic b-boy jam that shook the world over 20 years ago and still stands as a must for any dj who wants to show true school appeal and old school love. The video, shot and directed by Hype Williams, also pays campy homage to the seminal German electropop group Kraftwerk, whose songs "Trans-Europe Express" and "Numbers" served as the sampled basis of Bambaataa's classic (Common's short profile poses in shirt and tie with big glasses are strongly similar to old Kraftwerk album covers).
Lyrical content is still important to Common (whew!), and "Universal Mind Control" covers a few--slightly--over Pharrell's space-age production. Listen closely; this is not Common's usual in-your-face-smoothly style. Instead, the Chicago rhymer intermingles thoughts on materialism in the music industry with his own Kanye West-like boasts on outfits, fly girls and Grand Maurnier. Thematically not what listeners have come to know and love in Common's music, this track may require a second or even third listen. Take the listen; it is good music.
4 comments:
Loved it on the first listen. It's fly. The production was tight and so was the lyrics.
I agree: any song that can remind me of "Planet Rock" without biting that classic gets some love from me. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album!
I haven't heard Kanye's latest yet, but I have to check it out. Does it really remind you of "Planet Rock"? That's one of my favorite old school jams!
There are textures of "Planet Rock" in this song's music and feel. From Common's flow pattern through most of the song to the music track's strong syncopation, I hear the blueprint of the classic song. It's great to hear the inspiration to a song in its layers without hearing a "bite" or a straight copy of an older song. I'm tired of the lack of originality in many artists' music these days. The music industry is mainly at fault for repackaging the same sounds with different faces, but the artists share some of the blame by refusing to stretch expectations and limits in their projects. This Common joint isn't the Chicago MC's usual thing, and THAT is why I dig it. Thanks for speaking your peace, Kei.
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