Pete Rock And Common – The Auditorium Vol. 1 (2024) | In-Depth Album Review & Tracklist

Review:

“The Auditorium Vol. 1” kicks off with the dreamy and introspective track “Dreamin,” setting a powerful tone for the rest of the album. “Chi-Town Do It” pays homage to Common’s roots, while “This Man” and “We’re On Our Way” deliver inspiring messages of perseverance and hope.

The album shines with collaborations such as “So Many People,” featuring the smooth vocals of Bilal, and “A GOD (There Is),” which includes a stunning performance by Jennifer Hudson. Each track is meticulously crafted, showcasing Pete Rock’s signature production style and Common’s lyrical prowess.

Highlights include the reflective “Wise Up” and the soulful “Stellar,” which invite listeners to ponder deeper themes. “When The Sun Shines Again,” featuring Posdnuos, offers a refreshing and uplifting vibe, while “Everything’s So Grand” with PJ is a standout with its captivating melody and heartfelt lyrics.

As the album concludes with “Now And Then” and the poignant “Outro,” listeners are left with a sense of completion and anticipation for what these two icons might release next.

“The Auditorium Vol. 1” is more than just an album; it’s a journey through the minds of Pete Rock and Common, filled with rich narratives and soulful sounds that resonate deeply. Be sure to give it a listen and experience the magic for yourself.

Pete Rock And Common – The Auditorium Vol. 1 (2024)

Artists: Pete Rock And Common
Album: The Auditorium Vol. 1
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 256kbps
Genre: Hip/Hop/Rap
Year: 2024

Tracklist:

1. Dreamin
2. Chi-Town Do It
3. This Man
4. We’re On Our Way
5. Fortunate
6. So Many People (feat. Bilal)
7. Wise Up
8. A GOD (There Is) (feat. Jennifer Hudson)
9. Stellar
10. Lonesome
11. All Kind Of Ideas
12. When The Sun Shines Again (feat. Posdnuos)
13. Everything’s So Grand (feat. PJ)
14. Now And Then
15. Outro

Links

All in One zip (Server 2)

Article: Pete Rock And Common – The Auditorium Vol. 1 (2024)

Thirty years ago, Common looked back ruefully at his favorite genre in “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” his classic riff on hip-hop as a wayward ex-girlfriend. “She was really the realest before she got into showbiz,” he lamented. The couple patched things up after that, and Common grew from a prematurely scolding young man to a genial elder statesman, upholding what he sees as rap’s traditional values with a smile and a serious commitment to his craft. It’s been a happy marriage, for the most part.

Now, in 2024, he’s eager to renew his vows. Common has found rewarding grooves in the past by teaming up with producers who both share and expand his vision, whether that was No ID on his early releases, J Dilla on 2000’s Soulquarian-era masterpiece Like Water for Chocolate, or a young Kanye West on 2005’s Be. His partner this time is Pete Rock, who did as much as anyone to formalize the qualities that sparked Common’s love affair with hip-hop back in the Nineties by producing canonically great songs like “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” and Nas’ “The World Is Yours.” Pete Rock also produced Common’s 1996 single “The Bitch in Yoo,” a merciless attack on what the midwestern MC viewed as Ice Cube’s hypocrisy. It’s one of the coldest diss tracks ever made, and you’d have to imagine that the now-middle-aged guys behind it have lots of thoughts on the state of hip-hop today. But you won’t find any of that contemptuous pride or shit-starting attitude on The Auditorium, Vol. 1. This is an easygoing, respectful tribute to hip-hop’s essence and realness, full of affectionate references to the music that’s still close to Common’s heart after all these years.

Flowing deliberately over a luxurious spread of prime Pete Rock beats, the griot from Chicago raps with wisdom and patience. “The more I grow older, the more I be sober/Minded what rhyme did — it defined culture,” he pronounces on “Stellar,” built on a flip of an old Main Source song. On “All Kinds of Ideas,” he compares himself to NFL linebacker Micah Parsons (“Any subject I tackle/And grapple with wack dudes”) and notes that “cash rules everything around me/Except my mind.” The critique of overly commercial music is still in there, but it’s delivered more gently these days. And if his punchlines can verge on dad-joke territory (“The way I pass words/You don’t have to log in”), more often they’re genuinely sharp and entertaining. “The road gets rocky, you ain’t my Adrian, brodie!” he cracks on “Now and Then,” having fun seeing how many Hollywood puns he can pack into one bar. “The lord sent my mental to be more than sentimental/The ventricles that I vent through are temples of what I been through,” he spits on “Wise Up,” matching the energy of his producer’s boom-bap acrobatics.

Common and Pete Rock have dropped their first-ever full-length collaboration, The Auditorium, Vol. 1. Clocking in at approximately one hour, the joint record features guest appearances from Bilal on “So Many People,” Jennifer Hudson on “A GOD (There Is),” De La Soul’s Posdnuos on “When The Sun Shines Again,” and PJ on “Everything’s So Grand.” Common said of the record, “Pete Rock is one of The Greatest Creators Hip Hop and Music has ever seen. It has been a dream of mine to work with him on an album.” He continued, “And once we got together and I was around him and all his records and his MPC, I felt the spirit of what I always loved in hip-hop in soul music and why I wanted to be a part of the artform. His beats, his production, his scratches took me to a place where I could just MC freely. It felt like I was home.”

“To work with Common is truly unbelievable. I’m grateful for the connection we have on this project and excited for the world to hear our new album. The excitement is unbearable. Common and Pete Rock taking over the summer!” Rock added.

Stream The Auditorium, Vol. 1 on Spotify.

Conclusion

“The Auditorium Vol. 1” stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and timeless relevance of Pete Rock and Common in the hip-hop world. This album is a masterful blend of classic beats, insightful lyrics, and collaborative synergy that pays homage to the genre’s roots while pushing its boundaries. With standout tracks and notable guest appearances, it offers a rich, reflective listening experience that both longtime fans and new listeners can appreciate. As Common and Pete Rock continue to evolve and contribute to the culture, “The Auditorium Vol. 1” is a compelling reminder of why they remain influential figures in hip-hop. Don’t miss the chance to dive into this musical journey and witness the magic created by these two legends.