Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For his eighth album, one of the leading lights of conscious hip-hop has pulled out the big guns.
It's produced almost entirely by the Neptunes, and features guest spots by Kanye West, Cee-Lo Green and Pharrell Williams (no fewer than four times). Common has admitted that 'Universal Mind Control' was meant to be released in the summer, and in darkest December its qualities will be stretched to the limit. Which is bad news for the booty-bouncing "Sex 4 Sugar" and the pugnacious "Gladiator", but they may have the legs to last till it's warm enough to wind down your windows. Those two are, in any case, atypical. Much of 'Universal Mind Control' finds the Neptunes in a mellow-yellow mood we've heard only fleetingly since N.E.R.D's debut album. The outstanding moment, though, is the Barack Obama-celebrating "Changes". It's perhaps surprising that a rapper who has gone on record as opposing interracial relationships should back a mixed-race president, but maybe he's changed his mind.
Pick of album: Summertime love: 'Changes'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments