Photo Credit: Jay L. Clendenin
Hip-hop aficionados, rejoice! Legendary figures Common and Pete Rock have officially announced the release date and cover art for their highly anticipated collaborative album, *The Auditorium Vol. 1*. Set to drop on Friday, July 12, the album will be available in multiple formats including digital, CD, vinyl, and cassette, catering to both modern listeners and classic collectors alike.
The Chicago emcee Common took to Instagram on June 11 to reveal the album cover and share his excitement with fans. His post featured the cover art of *The Auditorium Vol. 1*, which depicts the iconic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York. In his heartfelt caption, Common reflected on his journey and dreams:
“For me, this all started with A Dream. A Dream to let the world know I’ve been here. A dream to be a part of Hip Hop. A Dream to MC at a level where De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS- One and Ice Cube knew who I was. It’s been a dream of mine to work with the LEGENDARY
@realpeterock (on more than just one song). I’ve been Dreamin’ my whole life."
Common expressed his immense gratitude for the love and support he's received, saying, “I am super geeked and supremely grateful to announce our New Album – The Auditorium Vol. 1 dropping July 12. I have to say, the love you all have been showing has been INCREDIBLE. And now, anytime someone says they are ‘looking forward to that album you are doing with Pete Rock’ – It just makes me happy to be a part of this art form. We pray and hope that this music will move your spirit and be with you for the rest of your life. Thanks to all who helped make it happen and to all of you for the Supreme Love. GOD Bless.”
Pete Rock, equally excited, shared his sentiments in the comments section of Common’s post: “I honor our friendship since 91 home slice lol. This was a dream I had for years to come together with you on something! Now we get to show everyone the results after working with each other on our 1st album ever! Man this is exciting my bro Thank you so much for this @common.”
So far, the duo has released two singles that showcase their timeless synergy. The lead single, “Wise Up,” dropped in May, followed by their latest release, “Dreamin’.” The latter single was unveiled through a captivating VEVO Ctrl session performance video. The visuals for “Dreamin’” feature the duo performing on a brass-golden set, with abundant lighting that enhances the nostalgic atmosphere of the golden age of hip-hop. Pete Rock signature brass instrumentation and Common's reflective verses create a track that feels both timeless and fresh.
In an interview, Common elaborated on the profound experience of collaborating with Pete Rock: “Pete Rock is one of The Greatest Creators Hip Hop and Music has ever seen. It has been a dream of mine to work with him on an album. And once we got together and I was
around him and all his records and his MPC I felt the spirit of what I always loved in hip hop in soul music and why I wanted to be a part of the artform. His beats, his production, his scratches, took me to a place where I could just MC freely. It felt like I was home.”
With *The Auditorium Vol. 1*, Common and Pete Rock are set to deliver an album that not only pays homage to their hip-hop roots but also showcases their growth as artists. Fans can expect a project filled with rich, nostalgic sounds and profound lyrical content. As the release date
approaches, the anticipation continues to build, promising an album that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the hip-hop community.
Mark your calendars for July 12, and get ready to experience the magic that happens when two
legends come together to create something truly special.
