After dating a slew of beautiful women over the years, Common is now hinting that he may have found “the one” in Jennifer Hudson.
In a rare move, the rapper and actor candidly spoke about his personal life with Hudson during his promotional campaign for his new studio album The Auditorium, Vol. 1 (featuring Pete Rock), which included a conversation with him. People.
The Chicago native first opened up about collaborating with his longtime love interest on new song A GOD (There Is), and how excited he was when he played it to his musician friends who asked, “Who’s singing that?” he said.
Sensing he had something special, Common (born Lonnie Rashid Lynn) shot back at those musical friends: “That’s Jennifer!” It doesn’t sound like anything you’ve heard from her before. I think it’s great that we were able to use her gifts in a new space. She brought it, man.”
With his new album, Common has now released 15 studio albums, a career that dates back to his debut album Can I Borrow a Dollar? in 1992.
Common, 52, was very positive about his girlfriend Jennifer Hudson, 42, who he says “made it” when they collaborated on the song A GOD (There Is), from his new album with The Auditorium, Vol. 1 (featuring Pete Rock); seen together in 2015
“I love that we were able to use her gifts in a new space. She brought it, man,” he said in a new interview with PEOPLE
The idea for A GOD (There Is) came when Common listened to a beat sample that he assumed was sung by Aretha Franklin. It turned out to be Valerie Simpson of the famous duo Ashford And Simpson.
‘I said [Hudson] who it was and then we were talking about it,” he recalled of their conversation. “I was like, you know how the light goes on? The light went on. ‘Wait, that song makes me feel like I’m Aretha.’ The American Idol alum played Aretha [in 2021’s Respect, played by Hudson]. Jennifer, why don’t you sing on this?” She was like, “Oh man, I would love to sing on this.” She was totally into it.
When asked about the lyrics to another song on the new album, Chi-Town Do It, in which he raps, “Champion lover that could come with a ring/That got a ring to it, you and I theme to it,” Common initially sounded coy, but then he opened up again about the woman in his life and how she might just be the one for him.
“I have a great partnership, and man, [Jennifer] ‘Is someone that I really care about and love and grow with,’ he shared. ‘The potential of a ‘champion lover’ is, ‘Yo, you’re the one.’ I feel that. It’s a lot of potential, that’s what I’ll say.’
The celebrity couple first sparked relationship rumors when they were spotted at a Malibu restaurant in February 2023.
But they didn’t publicly confirm their relationship until he was a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show last January.
“I’m in a relationship… with one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met,” Common said on the show, still not mentioning Hudson by name.
“She’s smart, she loves God, she’s down to earth and she’s talented.”
Before his romance with Hudson, who also hails from Chicago, Common dated a number of high-profile ladies.
He has previously been linked to Kim Jones (Unknown-1998), Erykah Badu (2000-2002), Taraji P. Henson (2005), Serena Williams (2007-2010), Angela Rye (2017-2018) and most recently Tiffany Haddish (2020-2021), according to People.
The duo Common and Rock released their new joint album on Friday, July 12.
To mark the occasion, Hudson shared a video of herself singing some vocals while sitting in an SUV that same day.
“It’s a very musical summer! And I’m loving every minute of it! My soul is so happy about it! A God (There is) #common #peterock The Auditorium, Vol.1,” she wrote in the caption.
Common and Pete Rock released their new studio album The Auditorium, Vol. 1 on Friday, July 12
Pete Rock (born Peter O. Phillips), 54, is a music producer, DJ and rapper, widely recognized as one of the best hip hop producers of all time
Common said he loved it when he played A God (There Is) for his musician friends who asked, “Who’s singing there?” to which he proudly bragged it was his girlfriend Jennifer
‘It’s a very musical summer! And I’m loving every minute of it! My soul is so happy with it! A God (There is) #common #peterock The Auditorium, Vol.1
Pete Rock (born Peter O. Phillips), 54, is a music producer, DJ and rapper, widely recognized as one of the best hip hop producers of all time.
The Bronx, New York native rose to fame in the early 1990s as half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth.
After the duo split, Rock continued his solo career, gaining worldwide respect, but not much success with the general public.
Hudson released three albums of her own between 2008 and 2014, but the last decade seems to have focused mainly on her acting career, playing the role of Aretha Franklin in Respect (2021).
Common has also had a successful acting career, appearing in films such as Smokin’ Aces (2006), American Gangster (2007), Street Kings (2008), Wanted (2008), Terminator Salvation (2009), Date Night (2010), Happy Feet Two (2011), New Year’s Eve (2011), Now You See Me (2013), Selma (2014), Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), Ocean’s 8 (2018), The Hate U Give (2018) and Alice (2022).