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Common flexes on another sound pre-release single from ‘Black America Again,’ “Home,” featuring underrated R&B standout Bilal.  

Ahead of his 11^th studio album (Black America Again), Common has dropped several pre-release singles.  While “Love Star” wasn’t his most profound, “Pyramids” was superb.  Similarly, “Home” – enlisting the services of Bilal – is another gem.

Hard drums and brilliant sample kick off “Home.” An intro occurs at the beginning:

“A man whose genius and freedoms…”

Common, expectedly, delivers clear, agile rhymes. One of the best examples occurs early on:

“Heard the sound of the trumpets, the voice from the throne / seen the twenty-four elders and I knew I was home / I was told to write songs for the people / take the original Hebrews on an Exodus of Black Excellence…”

Interestingly, Common references the Biblical, as well as elements of the Black experience.

Bilal magnificently handles the hook:

“Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world / trouble of this world, trouble of this world / soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world / going home to live (3x).”

Interestingly, Bilal’s vocals are pitch-shifted. This lower sound adds to the drama of the message. Clearly, he’s quoting a traditional spiritual lyrically. At the end, Bilal finishes the quote:

“Going home to live WITH GOD.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Home” is another stellar pre-release single from Black America Again.  It is well produced, well rapped, and features an exceptional hook.  As always, Common showcases the utmost consistency, with the help of Bilal.

Common • Black America Again • Def Jam • Release: 11.4.16  

Photo Credits: Def Jam