Rap and Hip-Hop master Common returns with his new and sixth album on Getting Out Our Dreams Music/Geffen Records entitled "Be," which debuted #1 on Billboard's hip-hop and R&B charts this week, his highest debut ever, selling 184,617 units despite rampant bootlegging of the album weeks before it's commercial release. As the rapper's 2nd single "Go" begins tallying up mega-spins on radio & with the new video just added to MTV, Common is set to hit the road with a string of House of Blues appearances and a national summer tour with label mate John Legend kicking off in Baltimore on July 18 with the first leg ending in Dallas on August 15^th..

"It's about being able to be without trying, being able to be in the present moment, being able to be natural and being who you are," says Common of the new CD. Recorded mostly in New York and L.A., much of the CD's production duties fell to Grammy-winner Kanye West, who contributed nine tracks.  Former Slum Village member Jay Dee produced two cuts. "Be" is the second release on West's Getting Out Our Dreams label, which debuted this year with John Legend's platinum selling "Get Lifted." Guest artists joining Common on the new CD are The Last Poets, John Mayer, Bilal, John Legend, Pops and Kanye West himself.

Born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Common is one of the most respected lyricists and skilled MC's in Hip-Hop. He made his solo CD debut with 1992's "Can I Borrow A Dollar," and quickly ascended to preeminence in the Hip-Hop universe. Other key CD releases include "Resurrection," "One Day it''ll All Make Sense" and "Like Water for Chocolate." His most recent CD was 2002's "Electric Circus."

     Common's Upcoming Concert, dates include:

     June 1st -- House of Blues/Chicago

     June 2nd -- House of Blues/Chicago

     June 6th -- House of Blues/Los Angeles

     June 7th -- House of Blues/Anaheim

     June 8th -- House of Blues/San Diego

     A National Tour with John Legend, dates include:

     July 18th -- Baltimore, MD

     July 21st -- Boston, MA

     July 23rd -- Philadelphia, PA

     July 25th -- Cleveland, OH

     July 28th -- Detroit, MI

     July 30th -- Milwaukee, WI

     August 1st -- Chicago, IL

     August 3rd -- St. Louis, MO

     August 6th -- Atlanta, GA

     August 8th -- Miami, FL

     August 10th -- New Orleans, LA

     August 13th -- Houston, TX

     August 15th -- Dallas, TX