Fall Music Preview: The Season's Hottest Albums

The Chicago rapper's ninth LP was produced entirely by old pal No I.D. – the first time they worked together since the Nineties. "He reminded me of what we approached this culture for," says Common. "I went back to the fundamentals of hip-hop." No I.D.'s vintage-sounding beats inspired the rapper on tracks like the upbeat single "Ghetto Dreams." "The songs got a knock to 'em," Common adds, "but they're also lush and rich in musicality and melody."