American rapper Common is a renaissance man. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, his records reflected the world he saw; and the one he wanted to see. He’s an acclaimed poet, has featured on the silver screen as a lead actor, and taken to the stage as an activist; using his platform to rally against social injustice, and rally for unity, for peace, and for change.

He does this all with love, as you’ll hear for yourself. For his Take 5, I asked him to Take 5 with his music for a movement. The soundtrack that lifted him, and empowered him to make a change. From Fela Kuti to Mos Def to John Coltrane, this is a powerful and beautiful conversation about music’s ability to lift us all.

Brand Nubian - Wake Up (Reprise In The Sunshine)

Fela Kuti - Water No Get Enemy 

Mos Def - Umi Says 

Sounds of Blackness - Optimistic 

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme, Pt.3: Pursuance