Common - Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell Williams

Artist: Common
Title: Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell Williams
Featuring: Pharrell Williams
Producer: Neptunes
Album: Universal Mind Control
Label: G.O.O.D./Geffen
Artist Website

Contributed by Burmy

Listen to More: Club, Midwest, Collaborations

Clearly tired of being pigeonholed as a “conscious rapper,” critically-acclaimed emcee Common is taking a new direction with his upcoming eighth studio album, Universal Mind Control (formerly titled Invincible Summer). Choosing not to feature any Kanye West production on the new disc, the Chicago native will experiment with a club/techno sound that everyone in the industry has seemingly dug the past year or so (oh hey, Timbaland). For the first official single, entitled Universal Mind Control, Common teams up with Pharrell Williams, and together they channel their inner Afrika Bambaataa (remember Planet Rock?). While some might see this new approach as “selling out,” the majority of listeners should recognize hip-hop’s diversity, and consequently, Common’s true mastery of its various forms.

Listen to Common's Universal Mind Control ft. Pharrell Williams

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Total Ratings: 71

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Common ft. Pharrell Williams - Universal Mind Control

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Leave your Comment on Common ft. Pharrell Williams - Universal Mind Control

Da Bo$$ Resident DJ Total Ratings: 803	Rating: Da Bo$$'s Top Rated Songs This song is a trip, its crazy hearing common flow over a beat like this i'll have to hear it a couple more times ,but for now i'll spin it
	Posted on May 28, 2008

Mike Dreams
Resident DJ

Total Ratings: 2062

Rating:

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I was highly anticipating "Invincible Summer" for the fact that it was Common, though I was afraid it was going to be like Electric Circus stuff. I'm as open minded as the next intelligent hip hop listener, but I really couldn't dig this style from Common. I'm so sad. It's different, but not something I would just listen to on the regular like Common's classic tracks. Sometimes the Neptunes and Pharell ruin things. This is an example on one of those times. But at least I know this is what Common wanted to do with this album...be different and make music types he hadn't make yet...so I can respect that, cuz I respect Mr. Lonnie Lynn Jr.

Posted on May 28, 2008

BDF44 Resident DJ Total Ratings: 2267	Rating: BDF44's Top Rated Songs ...and bein fly. I heard this song a week ago and loved it off the bat! Common is one of the truly gifted artest in the game. This is different and I can see where some might not feel this from him, but I ain't some! This is fire!
	Posted on May 28, 2008

mr.mocity DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 94	Rating: mr.mocity's Top Rated Songs it go hard tight beat
	Posted on May 28, 2008

^Lady RuIz^ DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 99	Rating: ^Lady RuIz^'s Top Rated Songs im diggen it id bump it
	Posted on May 28, 2008

aspiring dj Resident DJ Total Ratings: 348	Rating: aspiring dj's Top Rated Songs I just played this over and over in my car.. won't say its truly a classic but this song deserves stars! common maintains his lyrical integrity throughout the awesome club beat by the neptunes, so don't hate on his chosen style, just listen
	Posted on May 28, 2008

TheGreatest DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 269	Rating: TheGreatest's Top Rated Songs Um fresh, unreal Bangin. Common is one of best and greatest. Unlike anyone else. This is bangin.
	Posted on May 28, 2008

lvsmokes DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 3	crazy flow comin from Common. his lyrical content is always on point and i can dig the beat, though im not big on the chorus; maybe if it got rid of the echo?
	Posted on May 28, 2008

JSTEEZY DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 24	Rating: JSTEEZY's Top Rated Songs WOW.....Straight to the ipod. Common&Pharrel....PFSH!
	Posted on May 28, 2008

deezy DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 126	Rating: deezy's Top Rated Songs Dang, did not expect this, but Common worked it and worked it well. Thanks Pharrell for your crazy influence.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Enaj DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 205	Rating: Enaj's Top Rated Songs I CAN DO CARDIO TO THIS HAHA .. GUD TO HEAR THE NEP SOUND..
	Posted on May 29, 2008

DJ Qurlz
DJ Booth Member

Total Ratings: 37

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As a big fan of Common I have been looking forward this new album since it was announced. It's definitely got a Bambaatta feel to it which is something I haven't heard in a while. Common comes hard as always and even switches up his flow on this one. In a way I was glad to see that Common wouldn't be working with Kanye on this album. Don't get me wrong they are a great pair, but working with different producers can be refreshing and that is made clear with this song. The question I have now is what will be the rest of the album's "sound." No matter what I will be picking up a copy on the first day.

Posted on May 29, 2008

DizguyProductions DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 136	Rating: DizguyProductions's Top Rated Songs why da hell will u make a track with pharrel, dats dumb! wack wack wack! Men where Dead Prez at!!!! Common is whack to me!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

JORDAN HUNG DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 699	Rating: JORDAN HUNG's Top Rated Songs As much as I admire Pharrell and as much as I love Common, their completely contrasting styles came together quite well on this collaboration. Many listeners will find it extremely difficult to accept this type of vibe from Common but I always believed that diversity is essential for a long lasting MC.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

mk18769 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 305	Rating: mk18769's Top Rated Songs 3/5 ... i personally like the new techo/club beats on new rap songs (Say Yeah - Wiz Khalifa) ... but this song is just aite ... nothing krazy ... hate to say it but the beat doesn't fit common's flow ... i dont think this will even do that great in the clubs ...
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Ba1laholic DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 29	Rating: Ba1laholic's Top Rated Songs mmm...dont really care for this song
	Posted on May 29, 2008

K-Flow Resident DJ Total Ratings: 280	Rating: K-Flow's Top Rated Songs Common is the best
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Truths Poetic Art
DJ Booth Member

Total Ratings: 73

Rating:

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My favorite rapper has done it again. he isn't given enough respect in this game now a days but he is a very versatile artist. I can't believe he won't use any of Kanye's beats though. He really is taking a new direction. Common is speaking truth and if people are calling him a sell out, it's because they don't realize they sold out to alll these ringtone artist a long time ago.~(**)~

Posted on May 29, 2008

donjonjon Resident DJ Total Ratings: 797	Rating: donjonjon's Top Rated Songs better than I thought. he's really tired of the conscious-rapper label? hmmm. There's plenty of other stuff to rap about besides money, clothes, cars and ho's. this song reminds me of Mos Def's Jam On It. However, Common does sound a lil unsure here. i think he can def improve on this though.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Dj Astro DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 380	Rating: Dj Astro's Top Rated Songs i luv listenin to Common, dis is a different style then how he usually raps but its gud i like it. its a banga.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

PNC IS MAD STINGY DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 104	Rating: PNC IS MAD STINGY's Top Rated Songs I cant see knockin this in the wip...BUT damn does this make me wanna start b-boyin again. 3.5
	Posted on May 29, 2008

PNC IS MAD STINGY DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 104	Rating: PNC IS MAD STINGY's Top Rated Songs Just hit rewind...yea. From an ex b-boy prospective, I gotta give this a 4.5 / 5. Hip Hop.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

jesavail02 Resident DJ Total Ratings: 1161	Rating: jesavail02's Top Rated Songs This is money!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

DATCHICK DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 51	Rating: DATCHICK's Top Rated Songs ME LIKE
	Posted on May 29, 2008

davidp DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 24	Rating: davidp's Top Rated Songs i like dis alot cuz the beat sounds nice and commons flow is nice
	Posted on May 29, 2008

DJ Z DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 3835	Rating: DJ Z's Top Rated Songs Once again, a WINDY CITY native proves to the world that you can make music for the club and it doesn't have to follow a magic formula. There might be a curve for long time fans to adjust to, but this will win 'em over eventually. DJ Booth on Twitter
	Posted on May 29, 2008

D-/\/\an DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 106	Rating: D-/\/\an's Top Rated Songs This one song almost sold me on the cd already. The neptunes killed the beat
	Posted on May 29, 2008

d mac DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 417	Rating: d mac's Top Rated Songs This is a breakdancers dream right here. Z is right, Chicago is coming with the freshest music right now. This gets better the more times I listen to it. DJ Booth on Twitter
	Posted on May 29, 2008

DJ Mike E. DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 285	Rating: DJ Mike E.'s Top Rated Songs This beat is crazy and I would never expect Common to flow on something like this but it works...Neptunes did their thang on this track...
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Dj High Boi DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 49	Rating: Dj High Boi's Top Rated Songs Common has always been a beast ths @*#$! bangs
	Posted on May 29, 2008

chariot of fire DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 38	Rating: chariot of fire's Top Rated Songs ! bling like the neptunes sound!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Will0827 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 2	Rating: Will0827's Top Rated Songs I like this song alot but i don't know if it's because i like the Neptunes/Pharrel's production or if it's because i like Common, but i don't think i can listen to this and then go back and listen to Common's other stuff. But the song is still good.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Ruttan_Man DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 5	Rating: Ruttan_Man's Top Rated Songs dont like neptune dont like pharell at all. This song is confusing wheres The Game at his beats alone will rock pharells voice
	Posted on May 29, 2008

dat319boi DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 61	Rating: dat319boi's Top Rated Songs This is like a love it or hate it type of song. Personally, I love it. Commons flow over this beat is another type of music and its sick. It could definetely get radio play but it might be risky if he released it as a single. Great song though. Classic.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Dubby1 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 95	Rating: Dubby1's Top Rated Songs NOOOOOOOOOO! "Electric Circus" material...and that is definitely not a compliment...we really do need Common's conscious brand of hip-hop it balances things out! i understand his artistic need to deviate and do somn different but please do that @*#$! and still do a "BE" album...am pleading!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

MapleKing DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 19	Rating: MapleKing's Top Rated Songs i love it its so crazy ^_^
	Posted on May 29, 2008

Vampire Weekend DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 41	Rating: Vampire Weekend's Top Rated Songs This sh*t is hot, but im not to crazy about Pharrell on the hook. He kinda brings it down. hot though, its not what i expected when i heard this song
	Posted on May 29, 2008

XuUP17 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 185	Rating: XuUP17's Top Rated Songs I love this sound from Common but if it wasn't him, i'd say some of the lines are corny.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

MorganAZ DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 46	Rating: MorganAZ's Top Rated Songs Ayyyyyyy yoooooooooo!!!!!!!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

MorganAZ DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 46	Rating: MorganAZ's Top Rated Songs Aiiiiiiiiight!!!!!!
	Posted on May 29, 2008

LeeLee08 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 308	Rating: LeeLee08's Top Rated Songs Lovin da beat. It's in rotation.
	Posted on May 29, 2008

asgunera DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Yo Common took it back to the "ROOTS" the group and the roots of hip hop
	Posted on May 30, 2008

btaznpride DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 136	Rating: btaznpride's Top Rated Songs Neptunes beat is hot on this, I'm really feelin this club banging beat and the percussion. Hook was okay, I didn't like the echo effect, but Common proves he can make some club music here. Its a new look and it still sounds like he needs to work on it more, but so far this is solid.
	Posted on May 30, 2008

MuzzieBoi Resident DJ Total Ratings: 791	Rating: MuzzieBoi's Top Rated Songs I remarked that Nas was the "last true living king of hip hop". That statement was not 100% correct. Nas is still my favourite rapper of all time (has pretty much always been), but Common is still on everyone's top 10 for the greatests list, and if he isn't, he should be.
	Posted on May 30, 2008

cizzle DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 12	Rating: cizzle's Top Rated Songs Always liked common, sick lyrics and tight beat, aint really feelin Pharrell but the song his hot
	Posted on May 30, 2008

mayne DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 256	Rating: mayne's Top Rated Songs WHOA!!! This @#$! caught me of guard. I like this @#$!. Old school/New school mixture. Genius.
	Posted on May 30, 2008

PattyPatty85 Resident DJ Total Ratings: 2847	Rating: PattyPatty85's Top Rated Songs This makes me get a bit hysterical..it's not bad, maybe i need to play it again!
	Posted on May 30, 2008

dbizzle3113 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 55	Rating: dbizzle3113's Top Rated Songs FIRE!!!
	Posted on May 30, 2008

WOW!! DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 708	i aint even gonna list-n cuz i dont like COMMON...
	Posted on May 31, 2008

FreeXpressioN DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 63	Rating: FreeXpressioN's Top Rated Songs Love it! Common is one of my favorite artists. I have to admit though, I'm not into the whole techno dance craze. I wouldn't play this while driving, unless I was on my way to the club. This is a party song.
	Posted on May 31, 2008

Burmy DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 297	WOW!!, this is something you can actually move to in the club...It's different from his past work...Just give it a listen, you might like it!
	Posted on May 31, 2008

b1exican DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 3	Rating: b1exican's Top Rated Songs damn Common has a LL Cool J kinda flow to the way he is rappin in this hit.
	Posted on May 31, 2008

AairyB DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 27	Rating: AairyB's Top Rated Songs Definitly diggin the production on this. i love the techno feel. common switchin it up is a good look.
	Posted on Jun 02, 2008

ScottieJ DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 24	Rating: ScottieJ's Top Rated Songs this what im talkin bout common did his thang...pharrell always be doin his thang on the keys...p1l
	Posted on Jun 03, 2008

FieryLeo_4rmCali DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 28	Rating: FieryLeo_4rmCali's Top Rated Songs This is a KILLER!!! I have always been a huge fan of Common and Pharrell. This calabo is long overdue! Cant wait for that Invincible Summer
	Posted on Jun 05, 2008

Double_U DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 129	Rating: Double_U's Top Rated Songs One of my favorites now. Perfect production!!
	Posted on Jun 06, 2008

DJ Fallen DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 69	Rating: DJ Fallen's Top Rated Songs this a hit a lil late to write on it but is a bang heard it a while back sick prod nicccce flow
	Posted on Jun 08, 2008

SydneyTaylor DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 35	Rating: SydneyTaylor's Top Rated Songs I WANNA MARRY THIS MAN!!! EITHER HIM OR T.I. CAUSE THEY BOTH COME WIT THE HEAT. T.I. OBVIOUSLY GOT CAUGHT WIT THE HEAT BUT IMMA STOP RITE THERE! lol PLEASE COMMON I KNO U GETTIN OLD AND U BEEN BALD FOR A WHILE SO I CAN DEAL WITH THAT BUT PLEASE O' PLEASE PREPOSE TO ME!!! lamo
	Posted on Jun 08, 2008

Schmooves favorite DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 269	Rating: Schmooves favorite's Top Rated Songs Its a good song. The only place I would want to hear it is in the club though.
	Posted on Jun 14, 2008

SydneyTaylor DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 35	Rating: SydneyTaylor's Top Rated Songs HE'S CRAZY!! HOW HE DRESS, HE KEEPS IT FRESH...SO MANY STEPS AHEAD OF YA'll OTHA CATS CAUSE HE'S BEFORE OUR TIME!
	Posted on Jun 16, 2008

beatron DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 5	Rating: beatron's Top Rated Songs something about the beats. Need time to get used to. Its good though.
	Posted on Jun 21, 2008

Aussie_Pride Resident DJ Total Ratings: 785	Rating: Aussie_Pride's Top Rated Songs Songs good and is a banger, though i dont really think Common & The Neptunes combine well, their just two different imo
	Posted on Jul 01, 2008

yung_fresh DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 76	Rating: yung_fresh's Top Rated Songs This song is fresh! common is da truth! Neptunes beat is fire like alwayz!
	Posted on Jul 11, 2008

Luke27 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 18	Rating: Luke27's Top Rated Songs Great Beat. The Hook and the Flow of Common is sick.
	Posted on Aug 01, 2008

yolandaj1982 DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 1	Rating: yolandaj1982's Top Rated Songs I love it!! Common is the real deal~He is coming to the A tonight w/Nerd.. Can't wait..
	Posted on Oct 08, 2008

Lontetk DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 10	Rating: Lontetk's Top Rated Songs damn when i 1st heard diss jawn i was like damn Common made diss, i was really trippen cuz kanye or Lupe usually make hot jawns(beats) like diss im Diggen diss jawn doe Club Banger all the way
	Posted on Oct 15, 2008

rawgot swagg DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 3	Rating: rawgot swagg's Top Rated Songs i love this song. raw A$$ beat
	Posted on Dec 10, 2008

K.Mitchell DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 79	Rating: K.Mitchell's Top Rated Songs uhm noooooo
	Posted on Dec 18, 2008

Big mac DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 35	Rating: Big mac's Top Rated Songs This is a good song. It was cool whenn the robot was singing
	Posted on Dec 20, 2008

da queen spade DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 14	Rating: da queen spade's Top Rated Songs dis song is so fly a real club banger i's @#$! 09 and we stil play dis @#$! in da club da reds give it a 5
	Posted on Feb 24, 2009

Myles_Smyles DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 45	Rating: Myles_Smyles's Top Rated Songs If you dont like electro take yo broke ass home.
	Posted on Feb 26, 2009

bowwserr DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 546	Rating: bowwserr's Top Rated Songs Ha, I'm glad I remembered the name of this song lol. I kept wanting to listen to it, but couldn't for the life of me remember the track's name. Heh, it's all good though. This production is AMAZING!!! And, with Common spittin' very nicely on here as well, I must give this Clasic status.
	Posted on May 17, 2009

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