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Common Biography

Birth Name:Lonnie Rashid Lynn

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Established the Common Ground Foundation, which aims to support youth in underserved communities
Supports a number of charities and organizations, including Aid Still Required, Artists for Peace and Justice, Get Schooled Foundation and Save the Music Foundation
Was part of the Knowing is Beautiful HIV/AIDS awareness campaign and the Think Before You Eat campaign by PETA
Studied business administration at Florida A&M University
Started out as a member of the rap trio C․D․R․ during high school, which performed opening acts for N․W․A․ and Big Daddy Kane
Released his debut album, "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" in 1992 under the name Common Sense and gained popularity with the single "Take It EZ․"
Quote: "I think making a difference in the lives of others is my life's greatest purpose․"
Had an extensive acting career in addition to hip hop
Known as a hip hop artist whose hit songs include "I Used to Love H․E․R․," "The Light" and "The Dreamer․"
Changed his stage name from Common Sense to Common after the success of "I Used to Love H․E․R․" brought the attention, and lawsuit, of a ska band by the same name
Worked as a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls as a kid

Awards

2003Black Reel-Best Song: winner
2003Grammy-Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: nominated
2009BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014AAFCA Award-Best Music: winner
2014ACCA-Best Original Song: winner
2014BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2014SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2014WAFCA Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2015Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song: winner
2015Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: winner
2015Critics Choice Award-Best Song: winner
2015GAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2015GAFCA Award-Best Original Song: winner
2015Gold Derby Film Award-Original Song: winner
2015Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: winner
2015HFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2015Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2015INOCA-Best Original Song: winner
2015IFC Award-Best Song: nominated
2015OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2015Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2015World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: nominated
2016Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Best Song in a Documentary: nominated
2016Grammy-Best Song Written for Visual Media: winner
2016HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2017Hollywood Film Award-Song of the Year: winner
2017Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA)-Best Original Song - Feature Film: winner
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: winner
2017Teen Choice Award-Choice: Fight: nominated
2018Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song): nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actor, Drama Series: nominated
2018Black Reel-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
2018Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program: nominated
2018Grammy-Best Song Written for Visual Media: nominated
2019Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actor, Drama Series: nominated
2019Vision Award-Best Performance - Drama: nominated
2022HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
2023Black Reel-Outstanding Score: nominated