A ‘Common’ Experience on Dec. 10

“The Dreamer, The Believer,” Florida A&M alumnus is finally making his way up “the Hill.” Students and faculty have waited patiently even after purchasing tickets for reschedule event and now the time is near.

Grammy award-winning rapper, poet, actor and author Common will be FAMU Lyceum series’ guest speaker this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.

Draymon Merks, a second-year theatre student, said he is excited about the artist coming and is looking forward to the opportunity to seeing him in person.

“I’m so excited to finally see him,” said Merks. “He seems so real and his music is so personal. He truly is the epitome of an artist.”

The socially conscious, political emcee will kick-off the 2011-2012 Lyceum Series by discussing his book titled “One Day It’ll All Make Sense,” where he illustrates his upbringing and family relationships.

Common, who has produced nine albums in his ten-year career, comes to FAMU graciously to inspire rattlers with conversations of his life and struggles growing up on the south side of Chicago.

“I have relatives that I visit during the holidays in Chicago,” said Kasaan Simpson, a fourth-year business administration student from Norfolk, Va. “I understand that he doesn’t glorify the hood, but he puts it into perspective to the point you want more.”

“I didn’t really become a fan of Common until I came to college,” said Glenn McMasters, a third-year criminal justice student from Miami.

“Hearing ‘I Used to Love H.E.R.’ when I was younger, I didn’t understand what he was really talking about. I thought he was crying about a woman who wasn’t faithful. When I had the opportunity to revisit the song, it gave great insight to the still relevant issues that are faced with hip-hop.”

For more information about this year’s Lyceum Series, contact the FAMU Office of Communications at 850-599-3413.