Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. better known by his stage name Common (previously Common Sense), is an American hip hop artist and actor. His first major label album, Like Water for Chocolate, received widespread critical acclaim and tremendous commercial success. His first Grammy award was in 2003 for Best R&B Song for “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” with Erykah Badu. Its popularity was matched by May 2005′s Be, which was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.
Common has also initiated a burgeoning acting career, starring significant roles in such films as Smokin’ Aces, Street Kings, American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, and Just Wright.
