Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., better known as Common, was born on March 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. He started rapping in high school and formed a rap trio called C.D.R., which opened for groups like N.W.A. In 1992, he signed with Relativity Records and released his debut album "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" under the name Common Sense.

The album received critical acclaim and established him as a talented lyricist. He later changed his name to Common due to a lawsuit from a ska band with the same name.

His early career was marked by underground success with albums like "Resurrection" (1994) and "One Day It'll All Make Sense" (1997). He gained mainstream recognition in the early 2000s with albums like "Like Water for Chocolate" (2000) and "Be" (2005), the latter produced by Kanye West.

His work with the Soulquarians collective, which included artists like Erykah Badu and Questlove, further solidified his place in the hip-hop scene.

In addition to his music career, he transitioned into acting, appearing in films such as "Selma" (2014), "John Wick: Chapter 2" (2017), and "Ava" (2020). He has also won several awards for his contributions to music and film, including three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Glory" from the movie "Selma," and a Golden Globe Award.

His personal life has seen him in relationships with several high-profile women, including Erykah Badu, Taraji P. Henson, Serena Williams, and Tiffany Haddish. He is currently in a relationship with actress Jennifer Hudson.

Throughout his career, he has released numerous albums and singles, with hits like "I Used to Love H.E.R.," "The 6th Sense," and "Glory." His music often features socially conscious lyrics and a unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and jazz influences.