Gucci Mane and Pusha T, two artists not usually associated with socio-political hip-hop, appear on the surprising new remix of Common's "Black America Again," a track that seems to be taking on great political importance, ranking up there with the Chicago veteran's most inspiring work. The new version of the song also features BJ The Chicago Kid on the hook.
"Black America Again," initially a collaboration between Common and Stevie Wonder, first premiered with a poignant music video in September. The song would go on to be the title track on Common's new album, released earlier this month, right before the presidential election. It would also inspire an ambitious short film that Common released in conjunction with the album.
"Gucci Mane and Common, did you see that comin'?" raps the Atlanta trap legend, who opens the track. He goes on to depict the epiphany he had while incarcerated that led him to adopt a more socially uplifting approach to his music and to his life. Pusha T sounds unusually subdued on his verse, reconciling his past as a dope pusher and acknowledging his flaws while still asserting his worth as a black man in a white man's country.
"Black America Again" is produced by Karriem Riggins. Stream Common's powerful new album here.
Quotable Lyrics
Come look into the eyes of a man named Gucci
Got me peepin' out the blinds like Malcolm with the Uzi
The government, the church, and the world is so polluted
They callin' me a criminal when I'm a revolution
- Gucci Mane