Chicago rapper Common again addressed his relationship with friend and late musician James “J Dilla” Yancey in a series of newly-released interviews. While discussing his Nobody’s Smiling record “Rewind That” with Dharmic X of WNYU’s #NW3Radio, the recent Def Jam signee recalled running away from Dilla.
The rapper revealed that it took him a while to acknowledge that he was running from his friend, and added that he hopes to never run from such a situation again.
“Yeah, it was during the time I knew I felt a certain way, but I didn’t examine myself to say ‘Man, you running,’” Common said. “I actually had like started dating a girl and just staying over her house more. But I was running in my own way cause it was hard to watch somebody you care about dying in front of you. And every day I was praying and hoping that he would be better. Some days he was better. But yeah, I mean I had to acknowledge that in myself. To hope that I don’t ever do it again.”
In a separate interview with Philadelphia’s Power 99, Common recalled receiving word that J Dilla’s MPC and other equipment would be displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.
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He went on to quote a lyric from The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” when describing his elation at the news.
“Man, I saw that I was like ‘We never thought that Hip Hop would take it this far,’” the Chicago rapper said. “It’s like J Dilla—The fact that they recognized him. And I think I read that it’s only like Jimi Hendrix and some—I forgot which jazz great. [They] were the only people that had items in that Smithsonian Museum right now as far as musicians. And for them to honor J Dilla [and] his mom to see that. And I looked at that MPC online and it just touched me, man that he got honored like that. That represents for all of us.”
Common also addressed fellow artists Jay Z and Nas during his interview with #NW3Radio. He recalled performing in front of a then up-and-coming Jay Z during a performance at Tramps in New York City. He later revealed his hopes for working with Nas on the collaborative album, Nas Dot Com.
“One thing I do remember is one time it was not even a packed house and Jay Z was at the show,” Common said. “And we was performing for like only one-fourth of a crowd, but Jay Z he stayed there pretty much the whole show. And it was like an honor to have him there. And this is like mid-90s right when he was coming up too, like ’97.
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“I would love too, man,” he added when asked about the possibility of Nas Dot Com. “Nas is one of the coldest, so I would love to and I’mma put it out there that at some point Nas and I will do a project together.”
RELATED:Common Says Raps About J Dilla On “Rewind That” Were “Healing,” Recalls Battling Kanye West
