Today, we celebrate the 55th birthday of Pete Rock, one of Hip Hop’s most revered sonic architects. Born Peter Phillips in the Bronx and raised in Mount Vernon, New York,…
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Yesterday, hip-hop icons Common and Pete Rock delighted fans at Rough Trade Records in NYC, signing personal copies of their new album, The Auditorium Vol. 1. The vinyl and CD releases of the album are set for Friday, September 27.
In response to overwhelming demand, the duo surprised fans by announcing a newly added show at Webster Hall on the same day to close out their tour. This follows their sold-out residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club from September 23-25, where they performed six shows across three nights. For those unable to attend in person, a Blue Note show will be live-streamed on September 25 at 8 PM ET.
Common and Pete Rock’s recent collaboration has garnered significant attention, earning them four BET Hip Hop Awards nominations, including “Best Duo/Group” and “Impact Track” for their single “Fortunate.” Common is also nominated for “Lyricist of the Year,” while Pete Rock is up for “Producer of the Year.”
Additionally, the pair will participate in an “Up Close and Personal” GRAMMY U event at NYU on September 26, moderated by Dan Charnas. The Auditorium, Vol. 1 marks a landmark collaboration, solidifying its place in hip-hop history.
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On Thursday, August 29th, Common and Pete Rock electrified Los Angeles with their Auditorium Tour at The United Theater on Broadway. This historic venue, originally championed by Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin, set the stage for an unforgettable night. Common, headlining this epic downtown stop, and Pete Rock delivered their collaborative project along with timeless classics. The duo’s dynamic performance included swapping roles, with Common making the experience even more intimate by rapping among the crowd and inviting an attendee to serenade.
The United Theater, a historical landmark, boasts an early 1900s Art Deco design. Once a film theater, it now stands as a nearly century-old concert venue, preserving its vintage charm while hosting contemporary performances.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
Fresh off their album release week, where The Auditorium, Vol. 1 debuted at #3 on the Rap Album charts, hip hop legends Common and Pete Rock have released a new video for their song “Fortunate.” The visually captivating short film, directed by Marleaux Desire and ILLIMITEWORD, features Common in his hometown of Chicago, paying homage to the people and experiences that have shaped his life.
In “Fortunate,” Common returns to The Deck (87th Street) and The Foundation (Chicago), reconnecting with childhood friends and marking a poignant moment in his career. This is a standout track from The Auditorium, Vol. 1, their first full-length collaboration released via Loma Vista Recordings. The album melds Common’s evocative lyricism with Pete Rock’s celebrated production, creating a timeless piece that echoes the past, present, and future of hip hop.
The “Fortunate” short film began its rollout on Monday, July 29, with a BET’s 1st Look Premiere. It received hourly airings across multiple BET/MTV channels, including BET Jams, Yo! MTV, MTV Live, and MTVu. Additionally, it was featured prominently on Paramount’s Times Square billboard throughout the day, showcasing its broad appeal and cultural significance.
In support of their album, Common and Pete Rock are hitting the road for The Auditorium Tour. The 18-stop tour kicks off on August 28 in Del Mar, California, and includes stops in major cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, Boston, and more, culminating in a three-night residency at New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club from September 23-25.
This tour not only promises to deliver live performances of tracks from their critically acclaimed album but also offers fans a chance to witness the duo’s synergy and creativity on stage. As Common and Pete Rock have solidified their legacies in hip hop, The Auditorium Tour stands as a testament to their enduring influence and dedication to hip hop.
Watch Common and Pete Rock talk about their new project below.
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On the heels of their album release, Common and Pete Rock have announced The Auditorium Tour, set to kick off on August 28 in Del Mar, California. This 18-stop tour, with T-Mobile as the official wireless partner, will visit major cities, including Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville, and Boston. The tour will conclude with a three-night residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City from September 23-25.
Fans can purchase tickets starting with an artist presale on Wednesday, July 17, at noon local time through Thursday, July 18, at 10 PM local time. To register for the artist presale, visit Common’s website starting Monday, July 15 at 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT. A Spotify presale will also be available on Thursday, July 18, from 10 AM local time to 10 PM local time. General ticket sales begin on Friday, July 19 at 10 AM local time. Tickets can be purchased at thinkcommon.com.
Don’t miss seeing Common and Pete Rock live on The Auditorium Tour. Prepare for an unforgettable experience with incredible music and live performances from these legendary artists.
The post Common and Pete Rock Announce The Auditorium Tour first appeared on The Source.
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Common and Pete Rock have announced their first full-length collaboration, The Auditorium, Vol. 1, set for release on July 12 via Loma Vista Recordings. This highly anticipated project unites one of hip-hop’s most evocative emcees, Common, with one of its most celebrated producers, Pete Rock. The album promises to be a landmark in hip-hop history, blending the past, present, and future into a cohesive and timeless musical journey.
Alongside the album announcement, Common and Pete Rock have released the second single from the project, “Dreamin’.” To promote the single, they also unveiled a VEVO Ctrl session performance video, showcasing their dynamic chemistry and lyrical prowess.
Late last month, the duo released “Wise Up,” the first single off their new project. “Wise Up” captures the essence of the Golden Age of Hip Hop while infusing it with a contemporary feel, making it resonate across any era of hip-hop. This single set the stage for the upcoming album, generating excitement among fans and critics alike.
The Auditorium, Vol. 1 is expected to be an absolute banger, offering a rich tapestry of beats and rhymes that reflect the duo’s deep roots in hip-hop culture. Common’s introspective lyrics paired with Pete Rock’s masterful production create a soundscape that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Fans eagerly await the release of The Auditorium, Vol. 1, anticipating a groundbreaking addition to Common and Pete Rock’s legacies. With the release date fast approaching, the hip-hop community is abuzz with excitement for what is sure to be a historic collaboration.
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Pete Rock and CL Smooth were among the defining hip-hop duos of the 1990s, producing some of the era’s smoothest tracks alongside other legends like Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest. However, their long-term collaboration has been punctuated by frequent splits and reunions. Despite their attempts to rekindle their musical partnership in the 2000s and 2010s, the duo has struggled to maintain a stable working relationship. The reasons behind these splits have often been shrouded in mystery.
In a recent episode of Drink Champs, Pete Rock shed light on the pattern of their breakups, speaking candidly about his former partner. “He’s the best talent I ever came across in my whole life,” the acclaimed producer praised. “I’ve never heard a guy rap like this, I’ve never heard a voice like this. We shared great times together. Don’t get it all f*cked up now, we’ve had our good times.”
According to Rock, the issues that led to their repeated separations were not rooted in personal clashes but were rather a natural result of spending extended periods around the same person. “Just like life,” he remarked. “People have ups and downs.”
These ups and downs eventually hindered Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s ability to grow as a cohesive unit. Rock explained that their personal growth trajectories began to diverge, creating an imbalance in their partnership. “Sometimes, when we’re in the negative zone, we go like this,” he said, illustrating with a splitting motion. “What we would wish for each other is growth, but when one is growing and one isn’t, then it’s still uneven.”
Rock also stated that he believed the duo should still be together today, although he chose not to get into the specific reasons for their continued separation. “We should still be together,” he asserted. “But some things, you know, that I can’t tell the whole public. Certain things happen in a partnership that just can’t be… and people won’t understand. I don’t want to be the only one speaking on someone who’s not here, but I wish him the best in life.”
Watch the interview below.
The post [WATCH] Pete Rock Opens Up About Repeated Splits with CL Smooth on Drink Champs first appeared on The Source.
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Common’s Be has hit its 20th anniversary. Hitting Instagram, the Chicago legend recalled the success of the classic project. “I was reminded that yesterday was the 19th anniversary for Be,” Common wrote. “How grateful I am to Ye and J Dilla and all the artists and musicians who created on that album.”
After much speculation, Common and Pete Rock have finally released their new single, “Wise Up.” The track blends the essence of the Golden Age of Hip Hop with a contemporary feel, creating a sound that resonates across all eras of hip-hop.
This collaboration brings together one of hip-hop’s most evocative emcees, Common, with one of its most celebrated producers, Pete Rock, setting a tone for what could be their most impactful work in decades.
To launch “Wise Up,” Common and Pete Rock partnered with director Marleaux Desiré to create an inspiring and creative visual presentation. The video captures street-level community stories, visually representing the themes explored in the song. It includes visual ideations from ILLIMITÉWORLD and still photography by creative director Alonzo Hellerbach.
“Wise Up” marks a significant moment in hip-hop, showcasing the perfect pairing of Common’s lyrical depth and Pete Rock’s legendary production skills. The single pays homage to their roots in the Golden Age and demonstrates their ability to evolve with the times, offering a universal appeal that transcends generations.
This release is highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, as it signals the potential for more potent collaborations between these two iconic artists. With “Wise Up,” Common and Pete Rock reaffirm their status as influential figures in hip-hop, continuing to shape the genre with their innovative and thought-provoking work.
The post Common Expresses Gratitude to YE and J Dilla for ‘Be’ on Album’s 19th Anniversary first appeared on The Source.
The post Common Expresses Gratitude to YE and J Dilla for ‘Be’ on Album’s 19th Anniversary appeared first on The Source.
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After much speculation, Common and Pete Rock have finally released their new single, “Wise Up.” The track blends the essence of the Golden Age of Hip Hop with a contemporary feel, creating a sound that resonates across all eras of hip-hop.
This collaboration brings together one of hip-hop’s most evocative emcees, Common, with one of its most celebrated producers, Pete Rock, setting a tone for what could be their most impactful work in decades.
To launch “Wise Up,” Common and Pete Rock partnered with director Marleaux Desiré to create an inspiring and creative visual presentation. The video captures street-level community stories, visually representing the themes explored in the song. It includes visual ideations from ILLIMITÉWORLD and still photography by creative director Alonzo Hellerbach.
“Wise Up” marks a significant moment in hip-hop, showcasing the perfect pairing of Common’s lyrical depth and Pete Rock’s legendary production skills. The single pays homage to their roots in the Golden Age and demonstrates their ability to evolve with the times, offering a universal appeal that transcends generations.
This release is highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, as it signals the potential for more potent collaborations between these two iconic artists. With “Wise Up,” Common and Pete Rock reaffirm their status as influential figures in hip-hop, continuing to shape the genre with their innovative and thought-provoking work.
The post WATCH: Common and Pete Rock Release New Single and Video “Wise Up” first appeared on The Source.
The post WATCH: Common and Pete Rock Release New Single and Video “Wise Up” appeared first on The Source.
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30 years ago today, Nas dropped his debut LP, ‘Illmatic.’ Released by Columbia Records in 94′ Nas recorded the album at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. Produced by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and Nas himself, the bangers on the album will be embedded in Hip Hop culture as classics merely based on their production alone.
The album sold 60,000 in the first week and debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart. On January 17, 1996, the album was certified gold by the RIAA. In 2001 it earned a platinum certification after shipping 1,000,000 copies in the United States alone.
Lyrically, Nas delivered certified street verses on ‘Illmatic’ that influenced the majority of the ’90s and is regarded as one of the greatest LPs of all time by critics and major publications globally.
The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Iconic ‘Illmatic’ Album Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.
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