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T H E D E P A R T U R E<br />
Playlist<br />
SING THE<br />
CHANGES<br />
Rapper, actor and activist<br />
Common shares four songs<br />
that embody the sound of<br />
revolution.<br />
Social activism and<br />
promoting positivity have<br />
long been trademarks of<br />
Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., best known<br />
as rapper and actor Common.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Chicagoan, a regular on the<br />
frontlines of protest in 2020, is the<br />
author of two best-selling books,<br />
has appeared in films including<br />
2014’s Selma—for which he<br />
co-wrote the Academy Awardwinning<br />
song “Glory” and starred<br />
as civil rights leader James Bevel—<br />
and has recorded 13 albums. With<br />
his latest, A Beautiful Revolution Pt.1<br />
(out now), the 49-year-old Oscar,<br />
Emmy and Grammy winner wants<br />
to heal and inspire those affected<br />
by racial and social injustice. Here<br />
he lists four classic tracks with the<br />
power to change the world.<br />
thinkcommon.com<br />
MARK LEIBOWITZ FLORIAN OBKIRCHER<br />
JOHN LENNON<br />
“IMAGINE” (1971)<br />
“This song has always resonated<br />
with me because I’m a dreamer<br />
and I really believe in a better<br />
world, full of love, compassion<br />
and happiness. Imagination is a<br />
powerful tool. So many things<br />
we create start off as an<br />
imagined thought or hopeful<br />
feeling. John’s inspiring words<br />
make me feel like change can<br />
happen. That, to me, is one of<br />
the seeds of revolution.”<br />
QUEEN LATIFAH<br />
“UNITY” (1993)<br />
“<strong>The</strong> end result of revolution<br />
should be unity. Throughout<br />
history there’s been an<br />
imbalance of male energy and<br />
dominance that has negatively<br />
affected the world. Queen<br />
Latifah is empowering women,<br />
telling them they’re queens and<br />
they should demand respect.<br />
<strong>The</strong> revolution is nothing without<br />
women in power, in leadership<br />
roles, with respect and honor.”<br />
YASIIN BEY (FKA MOS DEF)<br />
“UMI SAYS” (1999)<br />
“Mos played this to me before<br />
it came out, and I remember<br />
telling him, ‘This is one of the<br />
greatest records I’ve ever<br />
heard.’ It felt so soulful and<br />
uplifting. When I think of this<br />
song—especially the lyric ‘My<br />
Umi [‘mother’ in Arabic] said<br />
shine your light on the world’—<br />
I see it as an act of revolution.<br />
If you’re shining your light on<br />
the world, that’s part of it.”<br />
GIL SCOTT-HERON<br />
“THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT<br />
BE TELEVISED” (1971)<br />
“I was really young when I first<br />
heard this song. It was unique to<br />
me, because I’d never heard<br />
spoken word on a song before.<br />
As I got older, I really took heed<br />
of what he was saying. Gil Scott-<br />
Heron represents the true core,<br />
heart and purity of what<br />
revolution is: being unafraid,<br />
courageous, clever and having<br />
power in what you say.”<br />
THE RED BULLETIN 19
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