Rapper Common‘s father, Lonnie Lynn, a poet and former NBA player, has died at the age of 71. Common said in an interview that Lynn died last Friday but gave no further details. Common made Lynn known to his fans by concluding his albums with Lynn’s poetry.
“The way he said things made me look at life and the world in a new way, in a different way. They always sparked a thought in my head,” said Common who shares his father’s name. “His words would always make me strive to achieve higher, to write better, to be more truthful with my words.”
Common opened up to UPTOWN in August about the bond he and Lynn shared. Although his father had a past of substance abuse and violence, Common accepted him anyway.
“He was always honest, acknowledging his flaws. He didn’t try to hide anything,” Common said. His father also introduced him to music. On each visit with his dad, Common said he would borrow an album from him.
Lynn, often called “Pops” on his son’s albums, reportedly recorded his last poem for the rapper’s 2011 album, The Dreamer/The Believer.
He closed the album with these iconic yet hauntingly ironic words:
“Live the life you believe. The American dream, the Black American dream, the universal dream. For the sake of the unwritten laws of humanity, I believe in God. I believe in my ancestors, I believe in my offsprings … I believe in the truth, truth. See you next lifetime.”
Our thoughts are with you, Common.