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Be explained (a thread):
Be is one of my favorite albums. The Kanye production mixed with Commons raps is perfect. Although Be is not a concept album, however, there are very strong themes throughout and this thread will break down said themes along with songs from the album.
Be is an album about being yourself, and being true to you, as you’ll see through this thread.
The album begins with Be (intro) which is one of the greatest album intros of all time. The song starts with Common saying he wants to be free. He mentions Malcom X and John Coltrane as inspirations, and he wants to feel as free as their spirits.
He finishes the intro with the bar pictured below. This sets the tone for the whole record, as he strongly says that he just wants to be himself.
The following track “The Corner” has common discussing the streets of chicago, and more specifically the street corners. It does an excellent job depicting the street live in Chicago. In my interpretation, Common is from Chicago, and Chicago is part of him. (1/2)
Because he recognizes the different parts of the Chicago street life in this track, it ties into the theme of being true to yourself. (2/2)
The next song “Go!” has common talking about a more sexual part of his life, because in this song he talks about various fantasies, and we see a whole different side of him than what was portrayed in previous tracks.
“Faithful” has Common thinking in s more philosophical light. He poses a question at the start of the song, would he see god the same if god was a woman? This song is the most thought provoking on the whole record, as common deals with themes of his fidelity towards women.
“Testify” is an incredible display of storytelling. On this 4 verse masterpiece we have common telling the story of a man being hustled by his wife. Throughout the song we are unsure of the wife’s role, until the end where it is revealed that she betrayed him.
The next song “Love is” takes quite a turn from the previous track. He raps about the perception of love in the hood through his youth. The message of the song is even though it’s hard we need to show our feelings and not be afraid to love people. (1/2)
Part of being yourself is acknowledging your feelings, this is something that Common understands. When life is lived without love, bad things happen, as he describes on the song. (2/2)
Additionally, part of being yourself is having an ego, and knowing your strengths, and knowing when to tell people about them. On “Chi City” Common takes this as an opportunity to provide the listener with some wonderful braggadocio.
“The food (Live)” opens with comedian Dave Chappelle introducing Common and Kanye. They discuss problems in the hood, starting with Kanye saying he will do anything for his family. Then common talks about a variety of things ranging from police to cocaine.
“Real People” is the most politically charged song on the record, as common talks about the discrimination against black America. There are many powerful bars about police brutality and other things of this nature that come together to provide a really powerful statement.
Common has never been anything short of an outspoken person, and this trait exactly is what can sometimes lead to having naysayers. The song “They say” is Commons rebuttal to the criticism of him and his music. This rebuttal is how the song fits into the theme of being yourself.
To finish the record, Common provides a message on the final song that is not only strong but integral to the albums themes. The point of the song is to tell people that they can succeed in the world regardless of any adversity if they remain true to themselves (Be themselves).
This album always provides for an interesting listen, as every song is not only produced to perfection, but they all examine different parts of one of our favorite people in hip hop, as well as sending a message of being yourself with every listen.
Thank you for reading! Also big thanks to @common for making this beautiful piece of music. The idea for this thread came at the request of @checktherhyme1 so give him a follow if you haven’t. RTS appreciated!
