How "The Light" by Common Was Made

Let's talk about why the song "The Light" was so significant for Common, J Dilla, and hip hop in general, recreate the beat myself, and mash it up with another Soulquarians song that sounds suspiciously similar.
To download the mashup at the end of this video for FREE - go to www.diggingthegreats.com
► NEW: Check out the Listening Guide Spotify Playlist for this video (which includes every song mentioned): open.spotify.com/playlist/7tc...
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:35 Common Before the Soulquarians
02:41 J Dilla
03:48 The Production
06:44 The Lyrics
08:44 Space Jam
10:19 The Light Mashup
TOPICS COVERED
Common
J Dilla
The Light
Like Water for Chocolate
Soulquarians
Beat Breakdown
Recreation
Hip Hop
Rapper
Producer
How To
#common
#jdilla #soulquarians
Space Jam
D'Angelo
Remix
Mashup

[@Pat52786]

Even dilla found it hard to talk about what he was doing because he didn’t know how to talk in music terminology, he just worked and practiced hard with samples and his intuitiveness a talent allowed him to make it happen … word up

[@davido3109]

Soul Power!!! Jay Dilla learned from from Amp Fiddler... Another Djedi... I see him like One of the Last Djedis in Style Warz... Pure Soul compressed... Imagine that he made fall to Kanye West once, when he put him some music... Maybe I'm just a dreamer... Dreamy eyes of my... Namaste Haribol Asewe!!

[@SnowyOasis]

this

[@Dude-1689]

Hence I still fail to explain how the music I love is so addictive and necessary 🤦‍♂️

[@Dude-1689]

@@davido3109 Got you 👌

[@bigw4403]

Bro said word up 😂😂

[@familialgameaholics7618]

J Dilla's beats are just "alive". Every time I hear his beats it gives me energy.

[@JamesMC2323]

It really does breathe life into you, no matter how many years pass between listens

[@familialgameaholics7618]

@@JamesMC2323 Yes! Exactly.

[@tyler8902]

I've heard The Light and I Found My Smile Again a million times each, but I never saw that mashup coming. You're doing God's work

[@diggingthegreats]

😆😆

[@Mar.Escobar24]

Facts! I heard it first at the end of Space Jam, then downloaded the “edit” on my phone, and already knew about The Light, and never connected the dots 😂 but then again, the Soulquarians all have that similar sound. Brain (Jungle Brothers), Mellow My Man, Other Side of the Game, etc. It sounds the same but completely different at the same time. 💯

[@HIPHOPSAVIOR]

HANDS DOWN BEST HIPHOP AND SOUL BREAKDOWNS ON KZbin!!!! DIGGIN’ IN THE GREATS IS ALREADY LEGEND STATUS!! GODSPEED GOOD SIR!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! 🙏 gotta do it right for some of the best music ever recorded!

[@blaqceeza]

@@diggingthegreats Just found your channel serendipitously, but glad I did! Subscribed!

[@TheKarateKidCode]

Godspeed

[@TheKarateKidCode]

@@diggingthegreats words from the light 💡

[@sonofJurell]

The algorithm works (sometimes). Great channel. Subscribed. Do you take recommendations for videos?

[@th3gr81]

That sample always makes me tear up a little bit. This is the best hip hop love song.

[@laidback93]

Does the same to me, every time. I was listening to the Bobby Caldwell original the other day which I love just as much as "The Light"

[@th3gr81]

@@laidback93 I don't like the original song. Bobby was simpin' hard in that song. J Dilla cut it to sound romantic, Bobby sounds desperate.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@th3gr81foh

[@Eeter26]

That mashup is tight you weren’t lying

[@diggingthegreats]

🙌🙌

[@Eeter26]

@@diggingthegreats which track on Be is your favorite? Actually hyped for the video on the album, since it doesn’t seem to get any attention at all

[@diggingthegreats]

@@Eeter26 ooh, hard to pick, they’re all so good, let me get back to you haha

[@tm-nm5hk]

This mashup at the end hit so hard!!!!

[@drew_blaq9071]

Definitely, too nice 👌🏾

[@jbeastro163]

yo, that mashup, needs a full version. That is too good not to have an official track. Fire

[@garthybrookens4839]

I didn't even know The Light was a J-Dilla beat and even in my younger years growing up, I fell in love with it. J-Dilla was really a genius. His beats were so memorable, soulful and fresh that it immediately captures your soul upon hearing it. R.I.P to the greatest producer of all time.

[@lee72artis]

Word

[@adamalexander5634]

Sometimes the KZbin algoriddim just simply provides 🙏 Wicked breakdown and production, thank you for putting this out into the world.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! That means a lot 🙏

[@stefanwalcott]

Yeah man, same here, dude dropped out of the KZbin sky and killed it.

[@zshakur]

Wait till u find out who he played bass for....🤯

[@irreplaceablejamnation8208]

@@zshakur Who? If you don't mind me asking. 🤓

[@wadepaulsen8733]

Brooo this is amazing please keep this series up, love how you go in depth with the history of the artists as well as the sample flips. you earned yourself a subscriber 😭😭

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you 🙏 many more on the way

[@scrulove]

I genuinely believe that this is the greatest hip hop love song of all time

[@Juan-yq3fb]

I agree aswell.

[@JamesMC2323]

Completely agree

[@JQUE94]

Hard to beat

[@JQUE94]

Aston Martin Music isnt that close but its solid.

[@twashbeats]

I need love and your all I need to get by..are around the same caliber

[@imdrnickriviera]

The quality of your breakdown videos is astounding. Keep 'em coming!

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you!

[@altrogeruvah]

Man, I got goosebumps on the mashup... Long time Bobby Caldwell / D'Angelo / J Dilla fan, this was really magic.

[@shaybar93]

Listening to “The Light” never gets old to me. Thank you for this.

[@GuidoQuinceMaat]

As a big fan of soulquarians, composer and musician (bassist!) myself, I've just been binging your videos for the past few hours and wanted to say, apart from the excellent knowledge (with due credit to Dilla Time), impeccable delivery, editing, animations, analogies and examples, not to mention all the hoops you probably needed to jump to prevent copyright infringements, I take my hat off. Grade A content. You've made my day!

[@tjrmakhetha]

The mashup at the end is the best thing I have heard all year...bro what😅😅😅🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@drich8807]

I need a full recording of The Light/D'Angelo mashup with you choppin it up on the wheels of steal and bass like at the end of the video bro!!🔥🔥🔥

[@PierreYvesRoth]

the mashup I didn't know I needed. I played both songs hundreds of times and never knew they could mix so well.

[@TheVibesnstuff]

From the Badu video, to this video, to the bop you stepped into at the end of this vid was all I needed to hit the Subscribe button. Salute. I'm invested.

[@VibesAndNotes]

Goosebumps on that mashup 🙌🏾

[@TheHeartsandcake90]

Sooo good! Me and my husband are currently binging your channel. Excellent content. Wishing you much success.

[@davidbrunelle3685]

Sick fuggin break at 11:05

[@diggingthegreats]

That’s on the original! I can’t take credit for that, just playing it correctly haha

[@davidbrunelle3685]

@@diggingthegreats shoulda put it on two. That would have been uncommon

[@lemmystop]

Great touch on the bass. I was not expecting that. You ACTUALLY know how to play.

[@alexlopes3930]

Bro, I just wanna say that your videos are such a good companion to the Dilla Time book. I'm finishing reading it now, and of course KZbin started showing me stuff related to Dilla's music as I was searching for music, videos and whatnot. And watching your videos alongside the book really helped me visualize all his history in a much clearer way. Amazing job on the channel! Dilla forever!

[@kevinakos7059]

These videos are incredibly well made, not just the writing, research and editing but the thought that has gone into the visual design, great stuff.

[@heyeverybodee]

I had to watch this one! This is my mom and I “song” throughout the years it has kept me talking to her despite out strained relationship. Anytime I hear it I give her a call even if i don’t really want to talk to her. I take it as the universe saying check in and be grateful for our experience together. And thinking back over the ups and downs and the lyrics about a relationship with a woman it makes me tear up to just go over our one of a kind human experience as mother and daughter. I just sent this for her to watch -I love you in my way you crazy lady keep being yourself.

[@lukemclellan2141]

This channel should be destined for greatness. Content and production value this tight without even 10k subs?! It can only get even better..

[@JQUE94]

I remember when I first heard this song at around 7 or 8 years old in my aunt's car, and man when I tell you how that beat drop got me hooked and lost as its blasting and them common bringing it through with words that hit true to life! Still get this feeling to this day

[@nenmaster1650]

DAMN! Good luck to your 100k subs, hopefully it wont take you long, keep smashing it.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you 🙏 many more videos on the way!

[@immafatazn]

i just stumbled across your channel and i’m soo glad i did. the mashup at the end gave me chills! those are two of my favorite songs! i’ve listened to each of them a million times and never realized the similarity. gonna binge watch your videos now. thank you

[@Tandematic]

Man, your channel is perfect. Thanks for the high-quality contents!

[@hubertmietkiewicz1934]

I've been always so inspired by the creative process of these great musicians. Thank you so much @digging the greats for letting us in and showing these profound breakdowns.Such a great content. You're basically doing what I always dreamt of. Keep up the great work, see you!

[@morninglory6616]

Man, I can not overstate the beauty and depth you put into your videos. You bring to light such an amazing part of my musical journey. Thank you.

[@AaronQuinn]

I feel like all your content was made for me, and me alone. This is the best. Bummed I am just coming across your stuff. Absolutely great. All of it. SO much knowledge about such great music. Perfect. Thanks man.

[@dmug]

This is the good shit, although I wouldn’t call Bobby Caldwell an unknown sample source as he’d been looted for tracks like Do For Love, Sky’s the limit etc. I remember reading the liner notes and then tracking his stuff down during the early 2000s, dude is a beast for iconic samples. I know, being nit picky over a high quality KZbin vid… subscribed.

[@Polostar79]

I was 20 the year “The Light” came out and I had no idea where that sample came from. I don’t think most people of my age group did either.

[@dmug]

@@Polostar79 Fair enough. There's certain artists who more or less exist as sampled artists, like Bobby Caldwell, Joe Sample, Galt MacDermont, David McCallum which I'd consider "know" even if the general public does not know them.

[@nextlevelsounds8188]

You gotta warn somebody when you’re about to get funky like that with that bass. I was over here jiggin’

[@levimaaia]

Love your videos and just your vibe in general. Huge Common fan back in the day. It's so great to hear the love for his work carries on.

[@larkaraniakim7832]

Idk why I haven’t known of you sooner. I literally bingewacthed most of your videos just this morning! I really love your channel and you’ve opened my eyes to a new way of looking at the music that I grew up on! Thank you for your hard work, your outgoing and great personality, and your deeeppp passion and love for music. I’m going to dig back into these records just so I can analyze every single thing 😂❤

[@martinwatts1506]

Brandon, your videos are incredibly well produced, fun, funny and enlightening. Your love of music is palpable and infections. Keep it up my friend!!!

[@rock9Tray]

My favorite edutainment! Much love & appreciation mane. Stumbled upon your soulquarians breakdown and just knew you knew what was up. This channel is BEAST

[@blkkamii]

this was an amazing video dawg didn't expect you to go so in depth but really glad you did 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@diggingthegreats]

Gotta do it right!

[@johnm6190]

Haha I found my smile again has a dear place in my heart. So questlove had leaked it on a radio show here in 🇦🇺 and we’d dubbed it and played over and over in high school as we hadn’t heard a D tune in soo soo long. Lol apparently it’s the leak responsible for their temporary fallout. Love your content brother. Keep this coming!! Following on IG too.

[@jakobtessand1239]

So glad I found this channel!!! Keep posting, the people really need it

[@PeppahJack]

Watched this video 3 times now because I enjoy your recreation and mashup so much as well as your insight into this time period

[@imkeijoluvs]

can't wait to see how much your channel grows in the next couple of months bro! keep up the good work :)

[@eespecialeventsdj]

BRO!!!! That mini-sessuon at the end did my heart good brother!!! You hear music in the same way so many if us generations Xers do! Mad respect brother!!!

[@rhonga2k]

Love that you came through with the vibes towards the end Making learning more fun!

[@JamesSmith-Jtz]

My guy, thank you for doing what you do. You’re keeping the greats relevant with these breakdowns and man you’re hands down one of the best channels on KZbin. This era of music really was at its peak and me living through these moments is like time travel bro. Not only did you teach me some interesting facts about three of my absolute favorite musicians in the game, you put me on a song by D’Angelo that I never heard. I’m actually stuck to now and that mashup at the end tho!!🔥👌🏾 keep these bangers coming bro!! I’m here for it!!😎💪🏾

[@lamontdurr1682]

That last mash up though....EPIC!!! MIND BLOWN SIR!

[@federicovicente8116]

Your channel has been one of the best I've found on KZbin in these months, and videos like these endorse it. May these “deconstructions” of classic songs continue. PS: We need that mashup of The Light and I Found my Smile become a reality, a real full song ♥

[@revankampf]

Yoooooo! Much love for this! Art is lived, loved and pure! 👊🏾

[@itsAustinGreen]

Legendary channel in the making! Glad to be here

[@diggingthegreats]

Glad to have you here!

[@acebuggy7799]

My new favourite KZbin channel by far don’t feel any pressure to rush your videos because the quality is immaculate

[@JKG_Brandon]

FANTASTIC deep dive into one of my favorite songs!

[@chrisg8995]

Wow, first couple dives into your channel… absolutely amazing work. Thank you!

[@thomaslee841]

This was really well done. Great video. Love it. Love this music. Love everything about it

[@matteoscheidegger8048]

Great work for every videos tanksss men!!

[@southpawsuni]

I’m so glad I found this channel, keep up the great work man

[@LoLifeIsForever-hl2nm]

That mashup is a masterpiece that genuinely made me tear up; hats off to you, sir...

[@igotsomespace]

My first video I have seen from you, and I am an instant fan. I have been educating a friend on how great and unique hiphop is and showing them different videos about sampling and techniques to create cool songs, and I just sent them this one. I look forward to watching more of your content my friend.

[@hiphopverses7808]

incredible!!! I love this song and your detailed video of everything was awesome to watch!!! Much appreciated! peace!

[@Crs313]

Amazing break down. Thank u for the dilla love!!!

[@adotfelipe]

Bro! Not only are you videos excellent and dope, but the tracks that you making Are just as dope!

[@zachmaddocks545]

WOW your insight into this era of music is appreciated highly 🙏🏻

[@Yhuntermusic]

Phenomenal job man! Love these vids!

[@teachergregory291]

I've seen breakdowns... Dude you nailed it, especially that you weren't afraid to place your sources in the vid. Very interested in your other breakdowns man. Good stuff.

[@thatguyjoe221]

Great video. I could sit here and watch your videos all day. Thank you for the great content.

[@dicasys]

Great content! So well made. Thanks!

[@waynesworldizm]

Throughly enjoyed this video. Excellent breakdown 👌🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@juan_urbina]

Bro this is second video on a row I’ve watch and I am going to binge watch the rest of your videos. Great content! Keep it up bro!

[@thevisionaryassassin4352]

Incredible deep dive. Thank you.

[@karlmalowned6034]

New to the channel, this is great stuff man. Was lucky enough to meet Common in the early 2000's, what a good dude and talented individual.

[@lastonewon]

This was brilliant, diggin the greats, keep doing your thing you are making a difference brah

[@kmorr212]

Incredible video bro. I never ever thought about two of my favorite songs being mixed together. It is clearly the same feel.

[@ItsNerradT]

2nd video I watched of yours. Subscribed! The homework you do as well as playing/editing is commendable.

[@lennon78]

Solid bass chops there. Great video, too. Thank you.

[@Iam_rndm]

Amazing!!! One of my favorite artists, songs and albums. Thank you so much for this man I love it.

[@ngonibenjamin5955]

Definitely the best hip-hop Love song from that era. I still listen to it today. Thanks for the context and great breakdown!

[@robvazquez8341]

Thanks, man. I feel lucky to be enjoying and learning so much from your creative efforts. You deserve 👏 and the rewards, and you'll get there in no time. I'm wishing you all the best as you, one day, climb past a million subscribers!

[@quinreal1]

That mesh up you did........ INCREDIBLE

[@FredExvideo]

i find it super dope that you play so many instruments. and ur not afraid to jam in front the camera like how you do. dope channel brother.

[@YCImaging]

This video was great!

[@alonzox5420]

I found my smile again is my favorite D’Angelo song and The Light is just a classic! I love this channel!!!!

[@blextalk8140]

my new fav youtube channel as an artist rapper producer for over 25 years I can say this checks all the boxes

[@trurock1]

Ayoooo that blend at the end is fire. Going to be playing this in my set tonight. Thank you.

[@shomari7]

Thank you….incredible work

[@largebottomproductions]

Mad Respect. Great content and presentation. Bassist as well so dig the low end too.

[@princekadeem8689]

What you’re doing here is absolutely incredible ❤ ✌🏽

[@acap89]

Bro you get down at explaining the music behind the music. The breakdowns, the samples, every sound. its awesome and for people like us who are artist/musicians/beat makers its an inside on the feelings we get when creating music. Dope channel G. For real 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@igloososa]

DtG is greatness. Seriously, I ultrageek over these thorough breakdowns. Very dope session at the end. Post when you're hitting the road and coming round Denver.

[@lowlowseesee]

the cuts in the end reminded me to like the vid. you're a gem, thanks

[@trashymajin7043]

Just found your channel, can’t believe you’re not huge. Dope stuff man please don’t stop❤

[@mattsephton]

One of my all time favourites!

[@KDL064]

Love your spirit mehn...love the way you do your videos, easy, edifying and entertaining...EEE...

[@JakTbh]

You earned my subscription with this. Amazing breakdown!

[@soundsofadream]

amazing content, love it, keep it coming

[@JustRefiloe_]

Hip Hop is well documented, this is just beautiful!

[@MajorProgress]

Yes, so ready!

[@AaronBarton1]

This channel is absolutely insane. One of the best 💥

[@stephen9164]

Subscribed immediately. Absolutely amazing content