Lecture and Book Signing: Common: One Day It'll All Make Sense. October 18, 2011

Eastern Michigan University is happy to announce that Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., more widely known as Common, will be a guest on campus during Homecoming week. On October 18th at 7:00 p.m., Common will be in the Student Center Grand Ballroom for a lecture and book signing for his book, available now, One Day It'll All Make Sense, featuring never-before-told stories about his encounters with everyone from Tupac and Biggie to Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.

Common rose to prominence as one of hip-hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists. He has recorded nine albums, two of which he partnered with rap music megastar Kanye West to produce. This dynamic partnership resulted in four Grammy Award nominations in addition to being nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards. In 2006, Common made his big screen debut as a musical performer in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. In January 2007, he made his acting debut co-starring in Smokin’ Aces. Since then he has co-starred in American Gangster, Street Kings, Wanted and Date Night, and played the lead role in Just Wright, starring opposite Queen Latifah.

In 2007, he launched the Common Ground Foundation, focused on helping young people realize their full potential. Common also offers a younger generation a better understanding of self respect and love, utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop, in the children’s books he has written. The first one, entitled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. I Like You But I Love Me, was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award. His first book for adults is a provocative and touching memoir. One Day It’ll All Make Sense, explores his upbringing and familial relationships and takes its name from his introspective, third album.

This is a free event, sponsored by EMU’s Campus Life in partnership with the Center for Multicultural Affairs, Diversity and Community Involvement and Student Government. It is open to the general public. No tickets necessary. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited.

Official Website: http://www.emich.edu/campuslife/events/5/list.show/