For his latest single, Common enlists Marley progeny and singer-songwriter Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley for a remix of his hit single, “What Do You Say (Move It Baby).”
The track comes from Common’s latest project, A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1. The record was a delightful surprise for fans of the MC, coming just a week after Common made the announcement.
Marley has brought a fresh aesthetic to the project, joining a list of collaborators that include Stevie Wonder, Chuck D, Lenny Kravitz, and The Roots’ Black Thought. Additionally, Common recruited a core band for the project that includes Robert Glasper on keys, Karriem Riggins on drums, Burniss Travis on bass, Isaiah Sharkey on guitar, and PJ on vocals.
Regarding the project, Common had this to say: “It is music to uplift, heal, and inspire listeners dealing with racial injustices as well as other social injustices. It’s affirmation. It’s recognition. It’s elevation. It’s music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we need to make sure things do not return to the status quo. The intention of this first EP is to channel all of our pain and outrage into something productive, inspirational, and good. It’s to help lead a movement into our next phase of the work to be done.”
The Marley remix gives the song an upbeat reggae feel, transposing his aesthetic onto the groovy original. The track is led by PJ’s unmistakable vocals, and on the remix, Marley highlights her unique ability to carry a track. As always, Common steals the show with his almost supernatural ability to craft stories over the course of a verse.
He raps, “Let free be between us/You my Medina/A queen like Amina or Fatima/redeemer of passion/we both have compassion for the black diaspora/In all this vastness.” With the help of Damien Marley, Common has turned his uplifting anthem into the feel-good hit of the summer.
