I wasn't really that amped to go to this show. As a matter of fact, I didn't decide to go until the last minute which worked out fine cuz I happened to get a hook-up so that I could actually see the damn thing. See, you had to have a "valid" Columbia ID to enjoy the hip hop festivities, but I, being the ingenious (or just plain lucky) individual that I am, got in. So I stood around for a while chuckling at the baggy pants/shorts, the layers of "groovy" t-shirts, the "kiks" and the flared jeans, the tube tops and sparkly belts (I can't really talk, I was rocking, not wearing, a Triple 5 hoodie). Yes, we hip hoppers and groupies (c'mon, it's all in good fun) get decked out for our events and we profile. The careless leaning against the walls (in this case, gate), the extra-pronounced stride from one end of the event to the other, taking great care to seem as if on a mission instead of trying to be seen, but was this shit worth profiling for? Well, the opening acts were cool, they ranged from singing soul sensations to ska and they all seemed talented enough. Needless to say there were some Columbia hip hop acts showcased, but I was too busy trying to get my friends (Big Solomon and Jenina, what up!?!) in, but they had stage presence and I knew for a fact that they were performing, so there. Everyone was there to see Common though and that's who this review is about though I haven't even uttered his damn name yet. Well, he showed up all of a sudden and I must add, to my satisfaction and relief, that he wasn't decked out in some outrageous ensemble-just a simple jogging suit (how 80s) and a kufi. On to the show. He pretty much did the entire LWFC album with "I Used To Love H.E.R." thrown in. No common show is complete without it. He had his band, The Waterbabies, playing behind him and they were live. He started with "Time Travelin'," I think. No, he started with the common chant then "Time Travelin'." He ended with ummm....."Geto Heaven" I think, boy is my memory bad. He did a quick SV cover, "Fall in Love"--one of the few songs I do like by Slum. It was high energy, he did the traditional, required crowd participation chants, he dropped a freestyle, and he attempted to dance. Shit, what else do you want? An Hour of showmanship for free, I'd say it was worth it. The only gripe I have is that I wanted to hear the old stuff, but I understand how that whole progression/maturing thing works. He can't very well get up there all donned out in spirituality and recite the lyrics to "Puppy Chow." Anyway, for those of you who missed it or went to the HOB show, I'm sure you were suckered. We got the same show, minus the Mos Def guest appearance, for free. I saw Mos the next night anyway, so there. On the other hand, you did support and that's always a-okay in my book.