Released on May 24, 2005, through Geffen Records and Kanye West's GOOD Music, Be was a critical and commercial triumph. Following his highly experimental 2002 album Electric Circus , Common returned to his roots with stripped-down, soulful storytelling.
, released in 2005, remains one of the most celebrated projects in hip-hop history. Produced primarily by Kanye West
"Be" is the fourth studio album by American rapper Common. The album received widespread critical acclaim and is widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s. Common Be Full Album Download
The album was an immediate critical and commercial success, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200.
The beauty of Be lies in its brevity. Clocking in at just over 42 minutes, the album features zero filler tracks. Released on May 24, 2005, through Geffen Records
| # | Title | Featured Artist(s) | Producer(s) | |----|--------------------------------|------------------------|--------------------| | 1 | Be (Intro) | — | Kanye West | | 2 | The Corner | The Last Poets | Kanye West | | 3 | GO! | John Mayer, Kanye West | Kanye West | | 4 | Faithful | John Legend, Bilal | Kanye West | | 5 | Testify | — | Kanye West | | 6 | Love Is… | — | J Dilla | | 7 | Chi-City | — | Kanye West | | 8 | The Food (Live in NYC) | Kanye West | Kanye West | | 9 | Real People | — | Kanye West | | 10 | They Say (feat. Kanye West) | John Legend | Kanye West | | 11 | It’s Your World (Part 1 & 2) | Bilal, Pops | J Dilla |
For Common, Be not only revitalized his career but also cemented his status as a legend and a blueprint for conscious hip-hop, while Kanye West used it to solidify his reputation as a premier production architect. The album’s influence can be heard across decades of hip-hop, from the introspection of Kendrick Lamar to the soulful samples of countless others. As Common himself reflected on its 20th anniversary: "Be means so much to me because I have had so many different types of people tell me what it means to them. And there is no greater feeling than to have your music mean something" . Be is, and will forever be, an essential piece of hip-hop history. Produced primarily by Kanye West "Be" is the
The album features a jazzy, laid-back sound, with production handled by a variety of artists, including J Dilla, Kanye West, and No I.D. The beats are often described as soulful and atmospheric, providing a perfect backdrop for Common's storytelling.
, the album is widely considered a hip-hop classic and a career "rebirth" for the Chicago emcee. Album Overview & Recent Anniversary Original Release : May 24, 2005. Production : Primarily handled by Kanye West (9 of 11 tracks) and 20th Anniversary Edition : Released on May 23, 2025
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