Common releases new album tracklist, including feature from girlfriend Jennifer Hudson
Common and Jennifer Hudson are going strong, so much so that she's featured on his new album.
On Tuesday, the rapper announced his upcoming collab album with producer and DJ Pete Rock, "The Auditorium, Vol. 1," dropping July 12.
Guest appearances on the album including Bilal, Posdnuos of De La Soul and the EGOT winner, the latter featured on the song "A God (There Is)."
Last month, Common and Rock released the album's first single, "Wise Up." A second single, "Dreamin,'" was released Tuesday.
"For me, this all started with A Dream," the Grammy Award winner wrote on Instagram Tuesday. "A Dream to let the world know I’ve been here. A dream to be a part of Hip Hop. A Dream to MC at a level where De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One and Ice Cube knew who I was. It’s been a dream of mine to work with the LEGENDARY @realpeterock (on more than just one song). I’ve been Dreamin’ my whole life."
Common's last studio album was 2021's "A Beautiful Revolution (Pt. 2)," produced by long-time collaborator Karriem Riggins.
Rock is a legendary producer known for his work with Heavy D, Public Enemy, Nas, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah and the hip-hop collective Griselda.
Hudson gushed about her rapper beau during an interview with People at the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday. But the "American Idol" alum was mum in offering any specific details on the couple’s relationship.
"Everything is wonderful," Hudson told the outlet. "That's all you need to know."
Jennifer Hudson gives update on romance with Common: 'Everything is wonderful'
Hudson's comments follow Common’s appearance on the singer's talk show, "The Jennifer Hudson Show," earlier this year, a conversation that drew attention after the two had been the subject of dating rumors. During the interview, Hudson and Common coyly discussed their dating lives without naming who they were involved with.
"Let's get down to business, Mr. Common," Hudson said at the time. "I'm a host, and so I have to ask you this question because everybody always wants to know this. Are you dating anyone?"
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The crowd cheered as the Grammy-winning rapper laughed nervously. "So, yes," he said. "And I'm in a relationship that is (with) one of the most beautiful people I've ever met in life."
He continued, clarifying he was talking about Hudson: "She's talented. But I set my standard kind of high because she had to have an EGOT. She had to win an Oscar on her first movie. I set my standard high. She had to get her own talk show."
"The Light" emcee then asked Hudson about her own love life, and she confirmed she's "dating as well" and is "very happy."
Common later discussed the interview on the "Today" show, stressing that he is "very private" about his relationships, which are "not for public consumption." But "at the end of the day," he added, "we were on her show. We had a good time." He also said he has realized he is the "marrying type" and is open to tying the knot "at some point in my life."
Contributing: Edward Segarra
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jennifer Hudson featured on Common's new album with Pete Rock
