Common has spilled the beans on some behind-the-scenes magic of his hit single, ‘The Light,’ produced by the legendary J. Dilla.
In a chat on the Juan Epstein podcast with Pete Rock, Common shared a little-known conversation he had with the late Bobby Caldwell, whose song ‘Open Your Eyes’ was sampled in ‘The Light.’ Caldwell, according to Common, wanted to collaborate on a track, but sadly, they never got around to it.
Common confessed that Caldwell demanded 100% publishing rights for the sample. Many, including his manager and Questlove, urged him to drop the track from his album ‘Like Water For Chocolate.’ Common stood firm, saying, ‘Are y’all crazy?’ He believed Caldwell’s sample made the track special.
Interestingly, the sample wasn’t initially part of the beat. Common and J. Dilla were previewing beats when the magic happened. Common loved a specific beat but requested a change in the drums. Dilla insisted they skip their meal plans and head back to the studio to work on it.
After laying down his verses in New York, Common returned to find Dilla transforming the track. The hook and scratches, all thanks to Dilla, were added after Common’s verses. ‘It was like he constructed that hook around what I was talking about,’ Common explained. The ‘Open Your Eyes’ sample, combined with Dilla’s genius, made ‘The Light’ the beloved track it is today.
Since discussing his latest project, ‘The Auditorium Vol. 1′ with Pete Rock, Common has been sharing numerous stories from his music journey. In another interview, he reminisced about how Miss Info and a Nas’ Illmatic copy influenced his second album, ‘Resurrection.’ The sneak peek of Illmatic pushed him to elevate his work.
Reflecting on the struggles of hip-hop and Nas’ impact, Common shared a powerful fan moment. A listener once credited his song ‘Retrospect For Life’ for inspiring them to keep their child. This anecdote highlighted the profound emotional connection music can foster.
He concluded by celebrating Nas for his authentic storytelling in tracks like ‘One Love.’ The song’s narrative resonated with many, showcasing Nas’ storytelling brilliance.
From behind-the-scenes stories to heartfelt fan interactions, Common’s journey in music is filled with memorable moments. ‘The Light’ remains a testament to his collaboration with J. Dilla and the magic they created together.
