In Concert: Common

I really enjoy Common’s style; a mix of hip hop, R&B, rap. The rapper bragadocio (sp?) combined with a socially concious mind. I really enjoyed this concert…until the point where he referred to Michael Vick as “Misunderstood”*. Actually, I’d say Michael Vick has been understood for exactly what he is, a criminal who belongs in jail. There is no excuse for cruelty to dogs.

*Misunderstood is a song where he name checks in the chorus. “Malcolm X = Misunderstood.” Certainly. “Tupac Shakur = Misunderstood.” In a different way than Malcolm, but OK I can see how you could make the argument there. He slowly moves into the living. “Erykah Badu = Misunderstood.” I know nothing about her, but OK. “Lauryn Hill = Misunderstood.” I’ve heard she’s a little crazy, so OK. but “Michael Vick = Misunderstood”? No, no, and no. Not misunderstood at all. Criminal.

Opener: Joss Stone. She certainly has impressive range, but it’s not really my kind of music. (Pretty much pure R&B).