Common recently took to Instagram to mark the 19th anniversary of his critically acclaimed album Be, which was released on May 24, 2005. In his post, he expressed gratitude to Kanye West and J Dilla, who together produced almost the entire album. The Chicago rapper also acknowledged the impact the album has had on his life and the lives of many others.
https://youtu.be/YCe1gC5VaW4?si=V8pxdhBpcp_kI8XY
“I was reminded that yesterday was the anniversary of Be. I am grateful to YE and J Dilla and all the artists and musicians who created on that album,” Common wrote on Instagram. “Give thanks to the MOST HIGH.”
The album was a life-changing experience for Common, and he has spoken about its influence in the past. Earlier this year, he reminisced about his relationship with Kanye West and J Dilla, recalling how the two artists bonded at his home before Dilla’s tragic death in 2006.
“I remember Kanye coming over to the crib where Dilla and I stayed,” Common told Hot 97. “Kanye would sample Dilla’s drums off his beat tapes. We were going to a Mother’s Day brunch with Ye and his mother, and my mother, and then Dilla was at the crib. Ye was talking to him and they were just bonding, and then Dilla gave Ye these drums on a record.”
Common recalled Kanye’s enthusiasm when he received the beat tape from Dilla: “I promise you, Ye was like, it was the golden chalice. We went to the studio later that day and Ye was telling Gee [Roberson], ‘Yo, Dilla gave me these drums!’ I forgot what song it ended up being but as soon as we got there, he was working on those songs.”
The rapper also highlighted the strong bond between Kanye West and J Dilla, saying, “Dilla had a lot of love for Ye. And Ye had love for Dilla. It was great to see somebody who was as great as Ye just be like, ‘Dilla gave me these joints!'”
