Hip-hop legends Common and Pete Rock discussed their latest collaboration, “The Auditorium Vol. 1” and paths of artistry in a panel hosted by the Grammy U Washington, D.C. chapter last week.
Local college students, Grammy U members and hip-hop fans gathered inside Blackburn Gallery Lounge Sept. 16 to attend the Q&A discussion moderated by Ryan Butler, vice president of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at the Recording Academy.
The fifteen-track album was released on July 12 and features artists Jennifer Hudson, Bilal and more. The project’s title is derived from Common’s childhood memory.
“I was watching Smokey Robinson in an interview, and he was talking about how he started his first songwriting [session] inside an auditorium,” Common said. “When he brought up the auditorium it just took me back to my childhood, really that was one of the first places I was able to actually perform.”
Butler asked about their processes when creating individually and collaborating together in music.
“I like company, but there’s times when I’m alone and I just do anything I want, whatever comes to my mind, because I have a great imagination. I have a huge record collection and I just put sounds together and see what works,” Pete Rock said.
Common then offered advice to the audience about thoughtful collaboration.
“Any type of team that you want to be a part of, the more you connect and the more you are honest and true to each other, the truer the product will be,” he said.
The moderator introduced the topic of social activism through lyricism and rappers like Common being labeled as a “socially conscious artist.”
“I think the balance happens in being truthful. When I’m being my truest self, I don’t have to be like ‘Well I’m an activist.’ I think for me activism is just something I do as a person because of who I am.” Common said.
Mocorah Lewis, a sophomore sociology major and legal communications minor, shared how the discussion inspired her plans to integrate storytelling into her activism.
“I can use these insights to create campaigns and events that engage people emotionally, like through spoken word, music collaborations, or even themed events that highlight social justice issues,” she said.
The conversation shifted to the importance of maintaining creativity. Common encouraged the audience to continue exploring their imaginations.
“When we are really young, we just imagine all types of things,” he said. “I think one of the most important things to have as an artist is imagination.”
Alanah Butler, a senior music business major and jazz piano minor, asked Pete Rock about his producing process.
“I kind of take what’s in the sky and fry it up,” Rock said.
Butler also asked Common about his process for selecting beats.
“The music that takes me out of this world, the beats I can’t describe into words, those are the beats I gravitate towards the most,’’ Common said.
Towards the end of the panel, both artists shared how they believe the record will impact their music legacies.
“I hope and believe that ‘The Auditorium’ will be one of those projects that will be here forever,” Common said as he reflected on the longevity of artists who came before him.
Pete Rock further elaborated on the importance of longevity and open-mindedness when creating new music.
“The path the youngins should take is to be more open to any kind of music,” he said.
Draia Shelton, a sophomore marketing major and film and television production minor, gained insight from the discussion, specifically one of Common’s remarks.
“The insight I gained from the session was to always use my voice, because you never know who is listening. Common was very adamant on the fact that, if people didn’t receive your music in a certain way then that’s okay,” Shelton said. “Whoever receives it, receives it, and who ever doesn’t, doesn’t.”
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
