I was in the heart and soul of Baltimore. I definitely felt a connection to the people. They're really hard-working people that want to have a better life. And I saw the struggle that exists there. Common More Quotes by Common More Quotes From Common I start thinking: Common rap art thinking Now is our time to change the world Common our-time changing-the-world world As I got to know the people of the Civil Rights Movement, I realized... Common caring rights kids When you see people that lived their purpose and sacrificed, who are everyday people - teachers, sanitation workers, and just people from all walks of life - that said, "I'm standing up for what I believe in. I'm standing up for my community." That reaffirms what you can do. Common teacher believe people I wonder if these wack niggas realize they wack, Common tired rap people To be a storyteller is to be able to speak truth, to be able to use your imagination, to use the creative gifts that the Creator has given you. Common creative imagination use When you have style, it doesn't matter what other people are saying. Common style matter people I embody EVERYTHING from the Godly to the party. Common godly party I sit and think with a drink about how I'm gonna win. Common rap winning thinking To have my name said like, "Common and John Legend, Golden Globe nominees," is one of the greatest achievements I've ever had as an artist, as a person. Common achievement artist names It's hard to see blessings in a violent culture Common violent blessing culture I tend to look at the good things about what's going on in life, and I do that the best I can. At the end of the day - I have felt outside at times - but always man, I keep my eyes on the prize and know that I can get inside if I choose. Common the-end-of-the-day eye men I felt like I had experienced a lot of things in the first chapter of my life, and I wanted it to inspire and motivate people, so I just started writing. Common writing inspire people This is my inception, I'm writing my dreams. Common inception dream writing All that glisters is not gold. Common venice gold inspirational Whether the people in Haiti, the young kids in Chicago that [are] going through violence, or whether you're in Atlanta or L.A. or Europe - it's not even color barriers for me - I go to where I know there's a lot of turmoil and pain. Common atlanta pain kids God created me to be an individual. And I am a Chicago dude that grew up the way I grew up and was named Rashid and was given a certain purpose and mission. So, I am rare for those reasons. Common chicago purpose way If the eyes are the window to your soul open eyes bring the cold. Common cold eye soul My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself. Common voice powerful mom One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly. Common elements hip-hop powerful