Outside Class July 23

One of my friends introduced me to one of the best songs I’ve ever heard with some of the cleverest lyrics I’ve ever read. I love hip-hop and this song is considered one of the best hip-hop songs of all time. I song is from the rapper Common who was known as Common Sense back then, and the song is “I Used to Love Her.” Here’s the first verse from the song.
I met this girl, when I was ten years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She was old school, when I was just a shorty
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me
On the regular, not a church girl she was secular
Not about the money, no studs was mic checkin her
But I respected her, she hit me in the heart
A few new york niggaz, had did her in the park
But she was there for me, and I was there for her
Pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her
And just cool out, cool out and listen to her
Sittin on a bone, wishin that I could do her
Eventually if it was meant to be, then it would be
Because we related, physically and mentally
And she was fun then, Id be geeked when shed come around
Slim was fresh yo, when she was underground
Original, pure untampered and down sister
Boy I tell ya, I miss her
The song is a showing how Common does not like the change that is going on in hip-hop. It turned from being a movement and an expression of African American views, and slowly turned into what is today. Today it is more about money, cars, “ice”, and trying to be the hardest rapper in the game. But the hip-hop I love is more pure and actually has something to say. In this song Common is comparing hip-hop to a girl. He speaks of how hip-hop went from afro-centricity and jazz based, to commercial based with people “stressin how hardcore and real she is.” This is a very important song in the history of hip-hop and I encourage anybody to listen to this. Even if you do not like hip-hop just listen to it as poetry. I also recommend Common to people who like this type of music. He is very smart and insightful and is considered one of the best lyricists in hip-hop history.