Common Speaks on How His Faith Influences His Music and Social Activism

I attended a live interview series called Build at the AOL Studios in New York City earlier today. Grammy Award winner Common was the guest. In the interview, he talked some of the work he was doing in Prisons and Ava Duvernay's film 13th.
Common was one of the artists I was really into when I first got into Hip Hop and I knew he always talked about his faith. It has certainly evolved over the years. He considers himself a Christian now and I asked him how his faith influences all of his art and activism.
I don't agree with everything he said in the clip, but I think he said a lot of really good things that we should all think critically about.
Full AOL Interview: • Common Speaks On The F...
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[@wadeoradio]

***PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU RESPOND*** I've seen a lot of assumptions about his faith in this post. Some have said he is a Muslim. Some 5%er. Some Hebrew Israelite. Despite the fact that he clearly says I identify as a Christian here. This proves the importance of these types of conversations. Too many assumptions, not enough desire to truly understand where people are coming from and why they took that angle. Both are important. Again...this was one question. I'd love to dive deeper with him. But I hope all of you get my drift.

[@myasalaam8948]

Common is a 5%er but he is also a secualr businessman and wants to tap into the Christian music market..lets keep it real...

[@itsintheword230]

Can't claim Christ, keep a hip hop name, still do hip hop(a religion), still doing cussing movies, seeking worldly awards etc.... Can't serve God and money and you definitely DO NOT mix up with other religions.... That's BABYLON!!!

[@jamesmcalister1383]

@@itsintheword230 Is it your belief that nobody who makes hip hop to glorify Christ is a Christian?

[@toddtj1]

I actually use to know Common when he was younger. I didn't know him real good but I shot hoop with him and hung out with him many times. Last time I saw him was at a funeral about 8 years ago one of my friends died who was also related to him. All I can tell you is that when I was around him he was a very decent guy. I don't think he's as deep into Christianity as people want him to be but he does believe in God and has simple faith in Christ. I believe God honors his level of faith and that's all that matters. I was saved during the time I was around him so we would all talk about God at times and everyone respected it. I also tarried for the holy ghost with one of his family member's. I don't know where he is on all this today but the seeds of the gospel have surely been put in him that's why I believe he said he's a Christian. I know I'm just a guy on You Tube but God knows I'm telling the truth.

[@wadeoradio]

Thanks for sharing that. Guess you never know who is watching. LOL.

[@nikewarrior24]

That was cool to see his perspective on faith.

[@zaceen]

Bro I was like what Wade-O got Common on the show yoooo mad dope. Like always Sir you allow us to peep into these artist heart and perspective by asking relevant and penetrating questions that come from love.

[@TheRunawayDotCa]

Good job Wade-O!

[@minor00]

Thanks for startin the convo with Common Wade-O...understanding who people are and how they think makes them more human and relatable in our eyes..We need this more in all societies today

[@nynetimedachamp]

There are many people who say they are Christian then they point to their deeds. Bro, Jesus says even us being evil do good for our children. He says he is a believer yet we have never heard him give the gospel but we did hear him unify all the faiths in this clip. He said he builds with them. Man there is only one Conerstone and foundation you can build with.

[@itsintheword230]

Exactly.... And still doing hip hop and doing violent cussing movies

[@JoshMitchell116]

My favorite rapper

[@amnishubby24]

I see Common point of view he say he a Christian and I believe him. Good Question Wade O

[@LisaNaomi24]

This is a really neat video. I love Common for his authenticity and passion. I also saw the comment section. Let me just say, what one thinks or doesn't think is beside the point. When we face the King of kings, he's going to ask you about your life, not his. Thanks, Wade-O for the posting! Blessings!💚

[@MartinSealeyJr]

Yo.... All you people out here only looking for Common to go into deeper details on his walk with Jesus..... As everyone keep saying.... IT IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR THAT!!!!!! Sheesh!!!! Anyways, great job, Wade O... I am grateful that you represented us in the body of Christ well with your question. I pray that you get the opportunity to get Common on the Wade O Radio Show to do an interview one day. So we can hear more about his journey with his faith in Jesus Christ.... Keep It 100!!!!!

[@jasonharley7902]

Wade o's doing big things!

[@chukandsarahpratt]

Good question @Wade-O.... that was slick... and you got him to holler out your name and all..... interview look like y'all know each other...... good stuff!

[@TarceaRenee]

This is So dope!

[@mikejohnson6803]

I'm a little younger but when I used to dabble in hip hop in my high school and college years I used to rock "take it EZ" and some of those you named as well. (Be is a HOF album) but I've always wondered where exactly he stood in his faith. I remember on his song with cee lo green he said in his last verse "only a hundred forty four thousand gone get home". I thought he was Muslim at one point and to hear him say he's a Christian is good but still a bit of a place of worry for me. As someone that he inspired in my past I hope that there is sincerity in his conviction and faith in Christ. I know a snippet of an interview session won't explain anything, just thoughts and hope for his soul above all things. Great question though Wade-O keep doing what you're doing bro.

[@wadeoradio]

Yeah i remember that 144K line. He repeated that like 3 times in a row! I would love to really do a whole interview with him about just this. ANd even his evolution. Like the whole journey.

[@Ymial243]

This is a good look bro! congrats

[@PatronSaintOfDegenerates]

Many people say 'god', which 'god' is common talking about- the only god I can hear in this snipet is the the god of "ethnic self determination" with a sprinkle of faith, we live in a secular society so the words faith and god get tossed around without a clear definition- committed convicted Christians must be clear in giving the only gospel that saves in Jesus Christ alone! Whatever your occupation is don't compromise Christian! If you really love the lost don't water down the gospel of the One True God Jesus Christ! #NoJesusNoPeace #KnowJesusKnowPeace

[@shadantesmalls785]

Love everything you just said. Really love your hashtags it makes so much sense and is so true. Straight 🔥 hallelujah

[@tasselah1953]

Dear brothers and sisters...sometimes....just LISTEN to people ❤️ God bless u WadeO. These type of questions are often how we start 1:1 evangelising. U NEED to know exactly where a person is at first. ie What do u believe? Then we can discuss what is true as per the Bible 🙏🏾

[@wadeoradio]

Great point. What do you believe and why do you believe it. Acts 17:16-34 is a great example of this. Paul knew the people's faith was in the idols, and it vexed his spirit. Then he to go do something about it and in the process had conversations with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers as well as the Jews and the devout persons. He gave the gospel as a part of those conversations.

[@tasselah1953]

The Wade-O Radio Video Channel Good example. I like Ray Comfort/Living Waters method too

[@JusDowntown]

I completely understand some of the comments on the depth of Common's faith as well as the reasoning behind Wade-O asking the question. However, I want to know, should his faith matter to us if he's not being clear on who his faith is in?

[@wadeoradio]

Good point. He did say he was a Christian in the latter part of the video, around 3:15

[@janiejl]

The Wade-O Radio Video Channel interesting..have heard him made reference to Allah in the past and thought he was muslim

[@bkjetsfan1]

Justin Griffin Recently he was repping Christ in his concerts.

[@JusDowntown]

Catholics & Mormons label themselves Christian as well. Yet, they just believe our Christ was merely a prophet. Additionally, we don't have faith in Christianity, we have faith in Jesus Christ & His Father. Faith, as it pertains to salvation should be in someone, not something. So again, should his faith matter to us if he's not being clear on WHO his faith is in?

[@JusDowntown]

bkjetsfan1 which Christ? Jesus? The son of God? The Muslims, Mormons, & many other religions have a Christ. Paul said in 2nd Corinthians, beware, some preach another Jesus other than who we have already taught. The key word that made everything he said fall apart was vibrations. Our Lord does not operate by vibrations but by the Spirit.

[@kainanseth7890]

He believes in Jesus, that's for sure. He vocalized this on multiple songs, specifically on the last album "Black America Again." If you got doubts, he said he's a Christian toward the end of the video

[@THENEVERDEADIV]

Kenneth Copeland and joel osteen also said the same thing.. LOL

[@carlosbash8925]

@@THENEVERDEADIVjust cause one person has bad fruit doesn’t mean everyone does

[@THENEVERDEADIV]

@@carlosbash8925 the chances of good fruit coming out of hollywood are small... it happens but very small.. never trust another man PERIOD.

[@GODchaser_in_2024]

Have you received THE HOLYGHOST since you believed?He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

[@romariosmith422]

Bishop S.A. Smith not the place or time for questions like that. Why not write him a letter and ask?

[@foxglove65]

And he saideth: TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?

[@jacobmiranda1]

Faith in what?! The only faith that matters and gives true purpose, is faith in Christ. Anything else is an idol of whatever God we create in our own eyes.

[@kylewithoutyou]

Jacob, I appreciate your comment. Be careful with your words. Faith in Christ is important for Christianity in so much that Christ points us to the love of God. To claim supremacy in Christ as the only faith that matters decentralizes God, whom Jesus pointed to for his life and purpose. By doing this we run the risk of turning Jesus into an idol of our religiosity and miss the movement of Christ transforming, life giving love. This also runs the dangerous risk of creating God and Christ in our image instead of witnessing and testifying to the action of God revealed in Christ through the grace of the Spirit. So yes, name what your faith is in for you. That is what leads to your own powerful testimony of what God is doing in and through your life.

[@DarkGloComics]

I wish someone would just straight up ask him, "Do you believe Yeshua is the only way to eternal life?". You can say you "Christian" all day, but that don't mean nothin'.

[@wadeoradio]

This is just a clip from a much longer interview Common did at AOL. The discussion wasn't about his faith at all, but about his activism and recent projects. My question introduced faith into the conversation. Sure, if he was on a Christian platform, you have time to get into what he really truly believes in detail. I don't even know if the other woman who asked a question was a Christian either. This wasn't really the space for that.

[@jamestheradioman]

The Wade-O Radio Video Channel I agree with you Wade-O, not the space for that line of questioning. I've always desired to interview secular artist and question them about their faith in detail on a Christian platform. However, if given the chance whether me or anyone else, I think it should be done with a heart to love God and love people with the Gospel instead of a desire to win an argument.

[@jamestheradioman]

The Wade-O Radio Video Channel I agree with you Wade-O, not the space for that line of questioning. I've always desired to interview secular artist and question them about their faith in detail on a Christian platform. However, if given the chance whether me or anyone else, I think it should be done with a heart to love God and love people with the Gospel instead of a desire to win an argument.

[@ythpstr2000]

Maybe you should see about getting him on the show. Maybe not a full interview because the content may not be there for a full 40+ minutes IF he is Christian in name only, or lukewarm or however someone wants to label it. AND NOTE I’m not saying that’s the case. He may be on fire more than me, and drop some stuff that makes me draw closer. I’m just someone who hopes he is a brother in Christ. Or becomes one. I am not his judge. And if in your interview a question makes him draw closer, or his answer makes me draw closer, the key is is God glorified? If it’s on WadeO God will be lifted!

[@nelsonmercado100]

The Broham Nation I Agree The Bible says you should know them by their fruit.

[@nelsonmercado100]

This was some strange gospel I pray that common comes to the real faith of Jesus Christ and HIM only.

[@itsintheword230]

He mixes beliefs..... You can't be hip-hop and Christian anyway because hip-hop in itself is a religion

[@jamesmcalister1383]

I guess you probably know better than the apostle Paul... In Chapter 10 verse 9 of the letter he wrote the church in Rome, Scripture is VERY clear: "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." It sounds like you're struggling with a form of legalism, which I was struggling with for a very long time. God's standard is perfection, period. NONE of us can be perfect, which is why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary.

[@Imy297]

@@itsintheword230 you are confused

[@carlosbash8925]

@@itsintheword230you can rap & be Christian you gotta give the gospel & share GOD’s message & him all the glory

[@Ukhti.fantak45]

Am I the only one who thought he was muslim?

[@ktdin319]

Come on man... This is common sense!

[@joshuaroughan3350]

this guy could read the back of a shampoo bottle and it would sound better than anything Shakespeare wrote haha but real talk, common you tha man!

[@tchoutangbankouemichelfran5386]

Yo, dear bro Wade-O, Common is not a christian, he's a 5%er!!! look at all his songs, are talking about the Gospel?! of course no! he has songs with kanye and all those blasphemous rappers!! The King Jesus is comming back soon!! this guy Common is talking about love and inspiration with whatever belief is in front of him! it's like that Lecrae speaks nowadays!!! Confusion is ahead!! Dear bro, i know u want some audience, by doing this way u contradict the Bible a lot! Common is not a christian, he needs the Gospel!

[@wadeoradio]

Couple of things. Songs with people like Kanye don't determine if you are a Christian or not. I've DJ'd parties with DMX, Nas, Alicia Keys, DJ Clue, Busta Rhymes, Uncle Luke and a bunch of other people. You could look at that and say, Wade-O isn't saved. And at the time I did all that I wasn't saved. Common's last song with Kanye was nearly 10 years ago. That said. Is he truly a Christian the way you define Christianity? I don't know. I asked him one question. I posted it, because I personality thought his response to this question and the next one was interesting. As I mentioned before, I brought faith into a discussion where it was absent. I wasn't there to interrogate him. And I don't know how many of videos you've watched, but I have geniune interest in people's faith journey's and testimonies. Its why I don't just interview rappers who are in one denomination or have one school of thought. I'd love to sit down with Common and have an in depth conversation just on his faith journey. He's been muslim, as you've said had 5% themes. As someone else mentioned the 144K gone get home line, so maybe even a jehovah's witness. All of that's interesting to me. And I agree we all need the gospel. This may be the first time you have seen me have this kind of conversation on camera with someone who wasn't a Christian rapper. But i have them all the time and have had them with mainstream rappers.

[@tchoutangbankouemichelfran5386]

Hey yo, my bruh Wade-o, u are my bro in Christ and i love you!! I like the interview done with Shai Linne: this is one the best nterviews i've ever watched; it was Theological, edifying a lot for : and at the end of your interview i wanted to worship Jesus a lot more... because i've realised that obedience is better than sacrifice; furthermore, the fruits that God blessed u within that interview is this: Proverbs 3:3 " Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." You are gifted by God as a dj, and he gave you that to bless us the Body of Christ!! I'm just saying this in peace, may the Lord help u bruh! i luv u!

[@wadeoradio]

Thanks man. Correct me if I am wrong, but It seems that you are comfortable with me as long as I interview people like Shai Linne and we talk about the Bible and scripture and how we have to do better as Christians. To me....that was a very important conversation. The application of that convo and my interviews with Ambassador as well as my back in March Interview with Lecrae means we have to go out and engage culture. Does that mean compromise? No. Does it mean present false narratives? No. It simply means we have to live out the great commission. I've spent the past 10 years interviewing every Christian Rapper you can think of. Cross Movement, Canton Jones, Lecrae, Da' T.R.U.T.H., Ruslan, S.O., Brvndon P, Social Club, Richie Righteous, everybody. And its great. But there are a host of other conversations I want to have. I want to talk to the 5%er and understands why he believes what he does. I want to talk to the Muslim and understand why he believes what he does. And guess what...if the opportunity presents itself, I want to explain to him why I believe what I believe and we will see what God does in the midst of that. Most Christians have no clue why others don't believe in Christianity on a practical level. We can always explain it on a spiritual level. Those conversations will also help the body. Will they be uncomfortable? Sure. But they are necessary. And honestly bro...how you can be upset that I would ask the man how his faith has influenced many of the great things he is doing is beyond me. This dude is out here giving full on concerts in prisons across this country and you're mad I asked him how his faith influenced that? How you don't see value in understanding that about someone believes is mind boggling. As someone who interviews people for a living, trust me when I tell you that most people won't be open to even hear what it is you have to say, if they sense that you don't care about what they have to say or believe.

[@309shine8]

I admire your heart and work Wade-O. There are a lot of people in the church who do not understand these kingdom values, and we need to keep letting our light shine so all people can understand the love that God has for us. Keep doing what you're doing bro. You have an army on earth, and an army in heaven supporting you.

[@tchoutangbankouemichelfran5386]

Dear bruh Wade-O, i'm really blessed that you speak to me as a bruh in peace in Christ, and you are a cool man, i would have loved to chat with you face to face to joke as brotha in Christ! One thing to remember, Im actually writing from Central Africa, i'm a Cameroonian, so it's because of Christ that we call ourselves brothers in Christ, that Fellowship is powerful because Jesus is our Roc, and the gates of hell will never prevail!!! So its our union in Jesus which dictates our relationship as brothers in Christ through the Bible bruh! So if i see something that contradicts what the Bible says, i should say that in love! Common can travel all around the world and inspire who he wants, the fact is he's a 5%er and that's what motivates him, he has never said that Jesus is God and the Only Savior!! He is not my Bruh as you, he can not edify me because he does not believe in Jesus the Lamb of God! If he dies now, he will go to Hell, despite whatever things he has done so far in his life, we should pray for him!! By watching you asking a question to him, don't you think that some of us might stumble??!! Because it's shokcing to see and to hear what he said!! Furthermore, it seems like art and especially some CHH rappers want to escape some Biblical views with regards with their moves, and that's dangerous! My statements are not to divide the Body of Christ, but rather to identify them through the Bible!!! What you did with Common is a bad move bruh! Conform your gift much more with the Scriptures, your gift is to bless us, not for us to be confused!!! I will like to see much more scriptures through the Inspiration of God in your gifts, not just rappers wanting to promote their carreers despite of being beyond scriptures!! The Final Jugment is ahead, and we must me sober and pay attention to the word, and separate the sacred with the profane, by leaving the unclean! At last, look at Todd Friel, he has that wonderful gift of hosting a show, and through his skills the word is spoken by taking a deep look at common things of life in this sinful world, and he is here to warn the Body of Christ whenever any pastor does a bad move!! Why don't you djs and other CHH rappers tell the world when someone wants to be like the world and bash the Church when Truth is being said??!! I love you, and i'm sad about all of this, but i had this on my heart and i wanted it to be said!! Be blessed! Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’