Thirty years in the game, rapper Common shares what love means to him

Twenty-five years ago, the rapper formerly known as Common Sense, who today goes by Common, released his song I Used To Love H.E.R., which immediately grabbed the attention of hip-hop heads. The song critiqued how hip-hop had evolved, but it was also a love song.

Since that song was released, Common has had an amazing career; today, he's the only rapper with a Grammy, an Emmy and an Oscar. He's now made a sequel to I Used To Love H.E.R. called HER Love, about his relationship with today's hip-hop. That track is on his new album Let Love and he also has a new memoir out called Let Love Have the Last Word.

Whether you listen to his music or read his words, Common is heartfelt and brutally honest. He joined guest host Nana aba Duncan in the q studio to open up about the sacrifices he made for success and the childhood traumas he's only coming to terms with now.

Watch Common freestyle to the q theme song below.

Download our podcast or click 'Listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation with Common.

— Produced by Stuart Berman