Common brought people on their knees
The hiphop veteran Common, previously Commom Sense, entertained the audience on Sunday evening. At first the audience enjoyed and experienced to the energetic and innovative rap music on their own terms, but later on the artist literally told Finland what to do and how to be, along the lines of “Finland, throw your hands up!”. And Finland followed.
Common’s soulful and sample-based old school rap made the audience move. References to the legendary pioneers of hiphop weren’t forgotten, respects were paid to Wu-Tang as well as Notorious B.I.G. This is a relatively young subculture in our country but the audience was well aware of Common’s own style and his influences. “Finland, do you love hiphop?” resulted in a furious applause. Social commentary received its share, but this time the emphasis was on warming up the female audience. Even among the reserved Finns this kind of romance seemed to work like a charm.
Common delivered the best hiphop show of the year in our country. If you still expect to hear a better set in a good long time, you’re facing a challenge.
Text: Perttu Kantonen
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen