Common recently shared insights into his early interactions with Kanye West, highlighting how he initially overlooked several of West’s beats.
In a new episode of the Elliott Wilson Experience, Common discussed how he passed on multiple beats from Kanye West early in his career. “Ye was trying to give me beats back in like ’97. I had no idea,” Common revealed around the 2:40 mark. “Ye’s drums, they weren’t there yet.”
Common also elaborated on this topic during a guest appearance on Carmelo Anthony and Kid Mero’s 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “There’s at least 10 Ye beats out there that I passed on,” Common noted around the 51:00 minute mark. “Even on one of those albums, he mentioned, ‘Common passed on the beat, I turned it into a jam,’” referencing Kanye’s 2007 track “Everything I Am” from the Graduation album.
The rapper admitted he also turned down beats that would later become Kanye’s hits, such as “I Wonder” and “Heard ‘Em Say.”
“It’s crazy because I didn’t take any Ye beats in that ’96-’97, when-I-met-him era. But then in 2003, I’m like, ‘Ye, let me get some beats, come on!’” Common said. He explained that at the time, he felt No ID’s beats were superior and told Kanye, “These beats ain’t doing it for me yet. You’re getting there, but you ain’t there yet.” Common added that he later regretted passing on many of Kanye’s beats, noting that some of them ended up on Kanye’s Late Registration album.
Despite these early setbacks, Common and Kanye West eventually collaborated closely on Common’s 2006 album, Be, where West contributed to tracks such as “The Food,” “The Corner,” and “They Say.” West was also significantly involved in writing the entire LP.
Common has continued to be active in music. Earlier this summer, the 52-year-old released a joint album titled The Auditorium Vol. 1 with Pete Rock.
