Common: a pioneering artist
Common is a Black American cultural icon who has maintained a political and social concern in his music. At one of the most charged periods in American history, the video Letter to the Freeis presented as his contribution to the divisive political and social issues of contemporary America, a sense that he is attempting to draw attention to initiating a new wave of ‘protest music’.
Michael Eric Dyson on Common
Dyson on black stereotypes and Common: “Many critics don’t account for the complex ways that some artists in hip hop play with stereotypes to either subvert or reverse them. Amid the pimp mythologies and metaphors that gut contemporary hip hop, rappers like Common… seize on pimpology’s prominence to poke fun at its pervasiveness.
“Hip hop is still fundamentally an art form that traffics in hyperbole, parody, kitsch, dramatic license, double entendres, signification, and other literary and artistic conventions to get its point across.”
Michael Eric Dyson, Know What I Mean (2007)
Common - Selma soundtrack
Common and John Legend wrote Glory as the soundtrack for Selma, a 2014 film portraying the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
The marches were a non-violent protest to demonstrate the desire of black Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Common returned to the theme of protest with Letter to the Free – highlighting the mass incarceration of black Americans.
Common: Letter to the Free
The marches were a non-violent protest to demonstrate the desire of black Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Common returned to the theme of protest with Letter to the Free – highlighting the mass incarceration of black Americans.
Common: Letter to the Free
Letter to the Free was directed by Bradford Young (the cinematographer on Selma). The video has the camera moving at a slow, aching pace through an empty prison where Common, singers Andra Day and Bilal, and other musicians perform the song in different spaces in the prison rooms.
A black square hovering in the air appears throughout the clip, which, in a final shot, is framed as empty space in a field.
Amendment 13: ‘Black Codes’
The song was written for Ava DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th focusing on the historic legacy of the 13th amendment to the US Constitution.
Theoretically written to outlaw slavery, the 13th Amendment had the effect of paving the way for local and State law reforms that created loopholes that effectively enabled the continued enslavement of Black Americans through mass imprisonment. The so-called Black Codes, introduced at state level in the southern states, provided for forced labour as punishment for petty crimes that in reality only applied to the newly emancipated black slaves.
1) What other projects has Common been involved in?
Common has been involved in a variety of other projects. For example, Common wrote the soundtrack for Gloryalongside John Legend, and also starred in this film. Common has taken on a role as a musician and icon, that has enabled him to contribute to the diverse political issues in America.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
The 13th Ammendment acted as a loophole to continue enslaving Black Americans. It essentially states that slavery is outlawed, unless it is a form of punishment for prisoners.
3) What were the Black Codes?
These Black Codes were introduced at state level and were used in order to prosecute Black Americans for petty crimes. This law only really applied to newly emancipated slaves, so it was a way of denying them their freedom and a method for White America to remain on top.
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
It is clear that although slavery was abolished, it has still influenced contemporary American culture - 150 years later. This is evident through the fact that different methods of slavery have been used. For example, once slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were introduced which led to the segregation of blacks and whites in America. Once this was outlawed, mass incarceration replaced it - which is essentially another form of slavery as it means that black prisoners can be mistreated and forced into manual labour, even if their crimes are lesser than white prisoners.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
She was inspired to make the Netflix documentary, in order to draw attention to the fact that slavery still exists in America today, and that black people are still being suppressed on an emotional and physical level.
Close-textual analysis and representation
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
In Letter to the Free, the camera movement is constantly slow. Perhaps this signifies the passing of time, which in turn reflects the fact that despite it being more than a century later, there has been little progress in terms of developing equality for black Americans. The slow pace of the camera movement may mirror the slow pace at which thousands of people marched around areas (e.g. Selma) in order to campaign for their rights to vote and be treated as equals. Additionally, the camera circles the musicians at several points in the video. This circling may potentially be a reflection of the way that black people in America are constantly trapped and watched by White spectators - again, highlighting their lack of freedom. Throughout the video, the camera also zooms in and out slowly. This may parallel to the idea of making "two steps forward, three steps back" because as soon as we get slightly closer to seeing the artists, the camera pulls away again. This suggests that for every year or moment of progress that is made (towards achieving equality and justice), White America manages to delay this progress further - by introducing new means of slavery (i.e. mass incarceration).
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The fact that the camera is constantly moving may reflect the ongoing process and struggle that Black Americans have had for centuries. The slow movement may highlight the fact that although there has been some progress, it has been a long and slow process; there is still a long way to go in terms of developing a state where blacks are valued equally to white people.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The use of heavy shadows (chiaroscuro) and long shots means that the viewers never get the opportunity to emotionally connect with the musicians and artists performing in the video. This is particularly effective, as it is reflective of the distance and boundaries between White America and Black America, as well as the fact that (white) law enforcement officers typically don't offer any sympathy to black prisoners or black Americans in general.
The inverted colours of the last scene, shows that the sky is black rather than it being white and clear. This has deliberately been done by the directors/cinematographers behind this video, with the intention of leaving the audience with a sense of pessimism and a lack of hope. The sky being black signifies that over time, the idea of freedom has become tainted, meaning that no black person ever truly feels like they are free - or that they belong - in America.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The placement of the artists in this video is very important in conveying the message relating to the 13th Amendment and the issue of mass incarceration. The fact that they are all in separate rooms, mirrors the way that black people are often secluded and isolated in prison.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
Common has been involved in a variety of other projects. For example, Common wrote the soundtrack for Gloryalongside John Legend, and also starred in this film. Common has taken on a role as a musician and icon, that has enabled him to contribute to the diverse political issues in America.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
The 13th Ammendment acted as a loophole to continue enslaving Black Americans. It essentially states that slavery is outlawed, unless it is a form of punishment for prisoners.
3) What were the Black Codes?
These Black Codes were introduced at state level and were used in order to prosecute Black Americans for petty crimes. This law only really applied to newly emancipated slaves, so it was a way of denying them their freedom and a method for White America to remain on top.
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
It is clear that although slavery was abolished, it has still influenced contemporary American culture - 150 years later. This is evident through the fact that different methods of slavery have been used. For example, once slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were introduced which led to the segregation of blacks and whites in America. Once this was outlawed, mass incarceration replaced it - which is essentially another form of slavery as it means that black prisoners can be mistreated and forced into manual labour, even if their crimes are lesser than white prisoners.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
She was inspired to make the Netflix documentary, in order to draw attention to the fact that slavery still exists in America today, and that black people are still being suppressed on an emotional and physical level.
Close-textual analysis and representation
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
In Letter to the Free, the camera movement is constantly slow. Perhaps this signifies the passing of time, which in turn reflects the fact that despite it being more than a century later, there has been little progress in terms of developing equality for black Americans. The slow pace of the camera movement may mirror the slow pace at which thousands of people marched around areas (e.g. Selma) in order to campaign for their rights to vote and be treated as equals. Additionally, the camera circles the musicians at several points in the video. This circling may potentially be a reflection of the way that black people in America are constantly trapped and watched by White spectators - again, highlighting their lack of freedom. Throughout the video, the camera also zooms in and out slowly. This may parallel to the idea of making "two steps forward, three steps back" because as soon as we get slightly closer to seeing the artists, the camera pulls away again. This suggests that for every year or moment of progress that is made (towards achieving equality and justice), White America manages to delay this progress further - by introducing new means of slavery (i.e. mass incarceration).
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The fact that the camera is constantly moving may reflect the ongoing process and struggle that Black Americans have had for centuries. The slow movement may highlight the fact that although there has been some progress, it has been a long and slow process; there is still a long way to go in terms of developing a state where blacks are valued equally to white people.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The use of heavy shadows (chiaroscuro) and long shots means that the viewers never get the opportunity to emotionally connect with the musicians and artists performing in the video. This is particularly effective, as it is reflective of the distance and boundaries between White America and Black America, as well as the fact that (white) law enforcement officers typically don't offer any sympathy to black prisoners or black Americans in general.
The inverted colours of the last scene, shows that the sky is black rather than it being white and clear. This has deliberately been done by the directors/cinematographers behind this video, with the intention of leaving the audience with a sense of pessimism and a lack of hope. The sky being black signifies that over time, the idea of freedom has become tainted, meaning that no black person ever truly feels like they are free - or that they belong - in America.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The placement of the artists in this video is very important in conveying the message relating to the 13th Amendment and the issue of mass incarceration. The fact that they are all in separate rooms, mirrors the way that black people are often secluded and isolated in prison.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
- "Whips and chains become subliminal"
Highlights the fact that despite slavery being abolished, White America has introduced new methods and means of suppressing black people, and continuing to make them feel enslaved on a mental level even though they are physically free.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif?
The black square in the video represents the injustice in the prison system. It may also reflect the actual black people imprisoned within the United States. This is clear in the opening scene where the birds flying outside are reflected on the surface of the black square. This may symbolise how the prisoners are trapped inside the confinements of their cell, with no knowledge of when they could get out. The fact that there are never any cutaways from the black square forces the audience to acknowledge and reflect on the issues at hand for even longer. This is extremely noticeable in the final scene, where we see the black square at a different angle, for approximately 24 seconds. It is unusual for a music video to have the same shot for such a long period of time, however, it is effective given the context of the video. This is because it highlights the fact that the problems surrounding injustice and racism are still present, and that regardless of how long we attempt to ignore it, the problems still remain.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
The final shot of the video shows this black square in a field. This shot is shown for more than 20 seconds, therefore, it is clear that it is an important moment in the video. This field looks quite similar to a cotton field, which is a direct reference to the plantation locations that were conventionally associated with slavery. The fact that this square moves from the prison and out into this field is symbolic of the way that despite that prisons can be freed and released from prison, their minds and identities still belong to the system. Again, this is a reference to the way that the prison and justice system is structured to strip black people of their identities and confidence, as well as their sense of belonging.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
Gilroy's theory can be applied to this video, as Letter to the Free highlights how, as a result of being imprisoned, black people are often left with the feeling of not belonging in America. Once people leave prison, they are disadvantaged by the system, as they no longer have the right to vote; they find it more difficult to seek employment etc. Therefore, these former-prisoners feel as though they cannot trust the system or country that they live in - which causes them to feel isolated and alone. Additionally, Gilroy's theory of "black diasporic identity" relates to the way that black people often feel like they are not accepted in Western societies - even to this day. This is the main focus of Common's music video, as it taps into the idea that despite the progress of the Civil Rights Movement etc, black people are still experiencing issues such as inequality, segregation in contemporary America.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
I think that this music video is a perfect example of Dyson's comment that "hip hop is still fundamentally an art form" and that it uses a variety of "literary and artistic conventions to get its point across." This is evident throughout Common'sLetter to the Free, because it encompasses various aspects of cinematography and mise-en-scene (i.e. the use of black and white/heavy shadow), and it also highlights the literary techniques used by Common to get his point across. For example, wordplay such as "shoot me with your ray-gun and now you wanna trump me" and "whips and chains are subliminal" emphasises the fact that this video is focused around the serious issue of injustice and the mass incarceration of black people throughout America.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?Mass incarceration of blacks/non-white in America ; Racism within the government and police system ; Underlying tones of racism within contemporary America
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