Common – Recording Artists From Chicago

Common was born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. in -- you guessed it! -- Chicago. When he was still a kid going by Lonnie, he even had a job working for the Chicago Bulls. The guy's got city pride all over him!

Debuting in the rap game in 1992 under the moniker Common Sense, he maintained a steady underground following before having to change his stage name to just Common, following a lawsuit from a reggae group. ("Common Sense" actually was too common for once, Voltaire!)

Following a few independent local releases, Common broke into the mainstream in 1997 with 'One Day It'll All Make Sense,' on which he made a point to avoid gang references or promotion within his lyrics.

He followed up with 2000's critically-acclaimed 'Like Water for Chocolate,' with his single 'The Light' earning a Grammy nod. He earned more praise for his 2005's 'Be' and 2007's 'Finding Forever,' the latter for which he received a Best Rap Album Grammy nomination and won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his track 'Southside.'

His next mixtape is due April 2013 -- but he's been keeping busy in movies like 'Street Kings,' 'Terminator: Salvation' and 'Date Night,' as well as his recurring role on AMC's railroad drama 'Hell on Wheels.'

Watch the Common 'Testify' Video