Common gets his groove on

(Credit: Nabil)

In a world where the loudest and most ostentatious rappers garner a lion’s share of the headlines, Chicago hip-hop stalwart Common has quietly muscled his way near the top of the rap food chain without having to resort to the numbingly routine histrionics employed by many of his peers.

Musically, he’s never been afraid of taking chances, even when they seem to alienate critics and fans alike (see the relatively tepid response to more experimental releases like “Electric Circus” and “Finding Forever”). He goes even further away from his comfort zone on his latest, “Universal Mind Control,” an electro-tinged affair rife with Pharrell Williams productions and references to Afrika Bambaataa.

Simultaneously, Common has deftly made major inroads in Hollywood, landing supporting but widely seen roles in big movies like “Smokin’ Aces,” “American Gangster” and “Wanted.” And while a plum role as Green Lantern in a cinematic adaptation of DC Comics’ Justice League fell through when the movie was scrapped, he landed an even sweeter part in the upcoming fourth installment of the Terminator series, “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins,” slated for a May 2009 release.

Speaking on the phone from Boston hours before taking the stage as part of the “Souled Out” tour with N.E.R.D., an obviously under-the-weather Common was still happy to discuss his new music, movies and his love for old-school Chicago house.

Your new album, originally titled “Invincible Summer,” has undergone a name change [to “Universal Mind Control”] and been pushed back so far that you’ve been performing lots of new songs on this tour that fans have yet to hear.
Well, the response to the new songs has been excellent. I’m honestly surprised at how much movement they’ve been getting from audiences. When I would play new songs live in the past, which wasn’t very often, it would more of a sit and listen situation. On this tour, people are rocking like they already know the songs. It’s a really good feeling.

A lot has been made about this album being inspired by barbeques and strippers. Is that really the case?
[Laughs] One writer went with the “barbeques and strippers” line, and a lot of people picked up on it. It was more about making fun music and having a feel-good and let-go type of vibe. It was rooted in making music people could dance to. It came from being abroad and going out clubbing, and wanting to have songs that people could enjoy in that setting. It was time for some Common club bangers! [Laughs] But it had to be organic. I wasn’t going to chase or force it. That’s what happened working with the Neptunes and [OutKast DJ/producer] Mr. DJ on this album.

Are you happy with the final result?
Yeah, man. It’s a bunch of progressive Common songs that you can play in the clubs. Look, the song “Universal Mind Control” was leaked and had an immediate impact. A friend of mine just told me that it got spun on “So You Think You Can Dance,” so that’s some new territory for Common to be reaching.

In your current show, Mr. DJ has a section where he spins house music classics like “Hot Music” by Soho while you break-dance. Do you have a connection to the Chicago house music scene?
Totally. That was prominent music in our lives growing up in Chicago. That real soulful house, anything from that Soho track to “Ask” by Stevie Wonder to Jamie Principal was all house to us.

You seem to have developed quite the working rapport with Pharrell Williams.
We’ve become great friends, and creatively we’re able to make really special music. He’s such an intelligent and genius producer that he lays it down in such a way that you can really enjoy going into the studio and working with him. The songs were coming so easily that we just kept it rolling.

What can you tell us about the next year’s Terminator movie that you’re in?
The director, McG, was the best. He was an incredible leader and coach on the movie. To be a part of a film that’s so entrenched in American cinema history is an incredible feeling. The footage I’ve seen is so powerful. To work alongside Christian Bale and Sam Worthington was a lot of fun and such a learning experience. I got to be a kid again and save the world. It was awesome.

What’s next?
I’m hoping to do more touring behind this album. In terms of movies, I want to play a preacher, a romantic lead—eventually, I want to do it. It’s my new career, and God willing next time we’ll be talking about even bigger movies and my Oscar nominations!