SVS VANCITY.

With Common coming down to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby for Rock The Bells on Aug 1st, I’m reminded of last year’s concert with N.E.R.D. at Stanley Park – one of the most live outdoor hiphop shows I’ve ever been to in large part because it was in our very own hometown. Vancouver hasn’t had a huge share of concerts like this and the fact that we didn’t have to go through a Customs interrogation or half a days travel costing a full days wage, made it extra dope to have him there in our backyard. A set complete with a marquis, bar & bartender, cocktails, and some ‘exterior-night-club’ voice-overs, he never fails to deliver a whole experience and on behalf of my fellow Vancity fans…thanks Common, for the experience!

As a side note for the ladies, I want to share his video for “Come Close” off the less commercially appreciated Electric Circus LP, featuring Mary J. Blige, produced by the Neptunes (need I say more?). It’s just a plain old sweet slow jam that I also find reminiscent of the old rap ballads a la LL Cool J & Heavy D. The video is cinematic and tells a complete story in a clever way that also tugs at your heartstrings.

Peep the clip here.

- Lei Tolosa