Common To Keynote Chicago Music Summit

In promoting Friday’s gathering at Chicago’s Cultural Center, Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised the rapper and actor, saying that other musicians will be able to learn from the Chicago native.

Common, who has written a memoir as well as children’s books, has been involved in a number of efforts to help young people in his hometown. In 2000, he launched his own Common Ground Foundation, which is aimed at exposing disadvantaged young people to the creative arts.

Common has spoken out about violence in several Chicago neighborhoods, and has talked about what he and other rap artists can do to make those neighborhoods safer.