Hip-hop legend, Common, returns to Chicago for the first ever AAHH! Fest 2014, a new hip-hop festival he launched earlier this year.
The Chicago native said he encourages people to support the one-day event because it will unite people. He wanted to be apart of it for that very reason. Unity will bring the city together, he said.
“I want the people of Chicago to feel the love, feel the peace, feel the music, feel the togetherness and enjoy themselves,” said Common.
The fest, hosted by Dave Chappelle, kicks off in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Sunday. There will be two stages. The main stage is for ages 18 and older. Featured guests include Lupe Fiasco, De La Soul, MC Lyte, Jennifer Hudson , Jay Electronica and Lil Herb.
The community stage is hosted by Rhymefest, who also created the music/lyric composition and performance program “Got Bars“ with Kanye West through Donda’s House Inc. The program is a way for youth to practice their craft, while receiving instruction on their writing, performing and recording skills. Participants must apply and audition to be accepted into the program.
The young local artists selected to perform on the community stage will be able to use the platform to share their work. Through Donda’s House Inc. hundreds of youth have auditioned throughout the year for a spot on the stage. Diggy Simmons will also perform. Audience members of all ages can view this stage.
Tickets can be purchased online at Clubtix.com. The community showcase ($20) is in the morning from 10am-1pm. The AAHH! Fest lineup ($65) is later in the day from 4pm-10pm. Other package options can be found online.
Even as Common’s career took off, he remained faithful to Chicago. Through the Common Ground Foundation, underserved youth are exposed to creative arts’ opportunities. There is also mentoring, summer job opportunities and college readiness classes.
Many people view the Hip-hop artist and actor as more than just an entertainer, but as a positive role model. Common said he thinks people see him that way because he puts out “positive energy and music with positive vibrations.”
“And I think that people know that my heart is with improving the lives of others and making our world better,” he said.
Common has always stayed connected to Chicago so the problems that effect residents such as the ongoing violence, effect him too. Recently, he recorded a song, War, that is featured on his latest album, “Nobody’s Smiling.”
“I was thinking about all the violence that was going on in Chicago and how the people involved –whether they are the shooters or the victims – have to deal with a war-like environment and the emotional stress of war,” he said.
Violence isn’t only happening in Chicago, but it’s an issue occurring in inner cities across the country. Common said some of the reasons Chicago deals with it is because of poverty, lack of parenting and not enough after school programs. Another reason he said is that some people don’t fully love themselves.
“To address it, we have to communicate, really draw from the people within the community to find out their needs, use our resources, organize and to make it part of our daily life to improve the conditions of the city,” said Common.
He isn’t always serious though. The rapper said one thing fans might not know about him is that he tends to crack “corny” jokes from time to time.
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