In 2006, the Grammy Award winning artist made his big screen debut as a musical performer in “DAVE CHAPPELLE’S BLOCK PARTY”. In January 2007, he made his acting debut co-starring opposite Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys, and Ryan Reynolds in “SMOKIN’ ACES” for Universal Pictures and writer/director Joe Carnahan. Since then he’s co-starred opposite Denzel Washington in “AMERICAN GANGSTER”, Directed by Ridley Scott, and was recently seen in David Ayer’s “STREET KINGS” starring Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker as well as the summer blockbuster “WANTED” opposite Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, and Morgan Freeman. He will next be seen in the summer 2009 release “TERMINATOR SALVATION”, directed by McG and starring Christian Bale.

Prior to acting, Common rose to prominence as one of hip-hops most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over six albums: Can I Borrow a Dollar?, Resurrection, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, Like Water For Chocolate, and Electric Circus. In 2004, he partnered with Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye West to produce BE, which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. In July 2006, his video for the single “Testify” was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards including Best Hip Hop Video.

On July 31st, 2007 Common released his critically acclaimed seventh album Finding Forever where it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and it went on to earn a Grammy award. His newly released eighth album, Universal Mind Control, is produced in large part by Pharrell and is a club influenced departure from his previous two albums.

Common also offers a younger generation a better understanding of self respect and love, utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop, in the children books he has written. The first one, entitled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. His follow-up book I Like You But I Love Me was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions), was just released.

In addition to his music, film, and literary pursuits, he’s launched his SOJI hat line and the Common Ground Foundation, an organization dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States.