User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 146 out of 163
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Mixed: 6 out of 163
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Negative: 11 out of 163
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Jul 16, 2020Loved this album! Kanye's production was amazing at this time, and it really shows. Also loved Common's thoughtful lyrics. Only criticism i have is that I feel like the "GO!" adlib on GO! was kinda onboxious at times, could've done without it that often, still great song though.
Favorite tracks: Be (Intro), The Corner, Faithful -
Apr 6, 2016one word for this masterpiece. incredible. the rhymes, hooks and production is mind blowing. each track flows with one and another making for an enjoyable listen .one of my favorite albums.
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Aug 5, 2014
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Apr 25, 2012Common has undeniable talent, but for outsiders to the genre Be lacks any real attraction or punch. Even with Kanye producing, I can't help but wish it had a little more bounce.
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MusicLoverOct 21, 2007
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VoMOct 8, 2007Great hip-hop album with brilliant lyrics and addicting beats. 'Be' can capture a broad range of audiences.
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JacobW.Sep 22, 2007'Be' is quite possibly Common's best album and that is saying A LOT. Albums like this are what giving real hip-hop fans hope that hip-hop is still alive and well.
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niyimJul 20, 2007this is a hip hop classic. period
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DanAJun 24, 2007If you don't know what makes Be special, you don't know what makes musical quality. Could've had more tracks though.
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TeddyG.Mar 12, 2007No, comment except to say, that this is a classic!
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PKNov 28, 2006If you are looking for rap about 'chains hangin low' and 'hustlin rocks' dont listen to this album...if you wanna listen to more real shit and deeper verses...go ahead and buy the cd...kanyes music(samples..lol) are good too...classic in my opinion...
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RayD.Jun 13, 2006
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KyleTMay 27, 2006dis cd is wack jus cuz he is an old head who used to do drugs CRACKHEAD BIT**
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JanSMay 23, 2006"Common - Be" is the best album i've ever heard. It sounds perfectly. I mean there is nothing that's missing. I'm a big fan of Common's music and hope that he'll create much more comparable music. J.R.S
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ernestpJan 3, 2006As a huge Common fan, i sadly admit that Be IS overrated. Electric Circus's wit is seemingly brushed aside by all those sweet hooks.
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MCDishDec 14, 2005This is one of the most emotionally touching, poignant albums of the year. The song 'Chi City' will absolutely bitchslap you, The Corner, Be, the Food, and the last song on the album are so emotionally vivid and powerful that it will leave you breathless. This contends with Talib Kweli and Kanye West, in my opinion, for best hip-hop album of the year.
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Al.ckOct 28, 2005Common's be is by far his best album to date laced with soulful beat from kanye west.The clever used of samples and common's rhyme is what makes this album a winner.Thanks Kanye, you bring out the best in Common
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BenWOct 13, 2005Best Album of the Year?
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AlbertPSep 21, 2005This album is 'The Food' for your mind, body and soul. Long live Common
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chakapSep 10, 2005This album is the best i have hear all year my only thing is i would have loved for it to have more tracks
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JackMAug 23, 2005Best CD of the year in rap music?!? DENIED. Unless, however, you were willing to equate self-righteous, boring, derivative R&B with such praise. As a fan of Common's earlier albums (especially the tragically underrated Electric Circus), Be is a huge, monumental disappointment - and probably the most overrated album of the year, in any genre.
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JimmyPAug 18, 2005
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RobbieSAug 15, 2005Possibly the best intro into an album ever
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ChrisAug 7, 2005Easily the best CD of this year in rap music.
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Eric-Aug 5, 2005best album of 2005. already a classic
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NseEJul 23, 2005Perfection! Almost like listening to a soul classic from the 70s. Kanye West outdoes himself. My favourite is the inspirational 'It's your world'. Be eternal!
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TerrenceOJul 21, 2005The first great hip-hop album of the year, and it came from an artist i had all but given up on. I allways thought Common had a great album in him somewhere, im glad he finally pulled it off. short sweet and to the point with no skits to derail the flow. "Go" is a little lax, and the self satisfying over the top "Be" could lose the last 4 minutes, but still endlessly listenable and enjoyable
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SindreathaTJul 10, 2005Great album. Common has outdone even himself.
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AlanWJul 4, 2005Perfect album, nothing more to say honestly. Beats = 10 Rapping = 10 The only place where it suffers is the live version of the food, but even that is awesome.
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IgnacioYJun 30, 2005Although it brings back some ideas from 70s legends, it is not anything you havent heard before. Better go to the sources and buy a classic
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DavidPJun 22, 2005Good but I still hunger for the days when Common was known as Common Sense. It'll never be better than Chapter 13 on Resurrection.
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SMorrisJun 22, 2005Be - very tight a little to long in the beginning. 9.1 The Corner - Perfect! 10.0 Go! - Perfect! 9.7 Faithful - Perfect! 9.6 Testify - Perfect! 10.0 Love is - Alright 7.7 Chi-City - Cool 8.3 The Food - Very tight but old 8.7 if never heard 9.5 Real People - Very nice 9.3 The Say - Close to Perfect 9.5 Its Your World - Best track Perfect!!! 11 Overall 9.3
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aaronlJun 18, 2005
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JohnMJun 17, 2005The Dot Music review is dead-on. The album sounds good and flows well (except for the single "Go!" which needs a lot less Kanye and Mayer and a lot more Common), but the album in general is too sterile; it pushes no boundaries and its sound seems a little dated. There is nothing new here, just accomplished, albeit completely forgettable, music.
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mamajoeJun 12, 2005off the hook yo,
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nbJun 11, 2005This album is brilliant, beautifully composed and lyrically sharp. Smart tracks for the masses and the heads that need music to feed the soul and the mind.
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HeathRJun 5, 2005
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ElliottJJun 4, 2005Good, but certainly not great or a classic and definitely not his best. I still like Electric Circus the most - and by a long shot.
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risaJun 1, 2005off the hook!
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AldrichMJun 1, 2005WOW.. Hip Hop
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KingCosmosMay 31, 2005i start by saying this album is a classic..i wulda given it a 9.8 if i cud be more specific. Common is mature all thru this album. The album has a relaxing aura...It lasts as long as its supposed to...the live performance flows beautifully....the beats kanye produces here r perfect for common....i truly am tryn to find a way to describe this album......Jus Brilliant
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VernadetteBMay 31, 2005love this album...it is the resurrection of Common!!!!
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HieronymousMay 30, 2005It's music to my ears
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MattGMay 30, 2005Regardless of what any critic says (i.e. he doesn't show enough conviction, or his pairing with John Mayer is weak) this album is downright amazing and a joy to listen to. Stop expecting so much from him and enjoy his music.
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HaloedBMay 29, 2005The pervasive statements that this is a "return to form" or a "classic match up" between Kanye and Common is pure marketing retoric (which I fell for). The music and lyrics border on corny and there is not one song that could be considered innovative. Great introduction, however, to the conscious rap movement of 1994.
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LoriBMay 29, 2005A sure-to-be classic.
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Moebetta*May 28, 2005Some of Common's best writing and Kanye's excellent production is a can't miss combination. Each song has a life of it's own while the album manages to stay coherent cohesive and just plain DOPE!!! Hot Sh*t! Period!
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J.M.SarabiaMay 28, 2005
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{D}May 27, 2005Anyone who klaims that this cd is not the truth is simply lost and blinded from the truth and that is the reason why you simply think that it is not the truth... If anyone who doesnt like this album is basically being nieve to kold hard facts... Common is the best MC out right now and has been for awhile
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CharlesWMay 27, 2005A Beautiful album from start to finish
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MarcusBMay 27, 2005This is one of the best cds in awhile. take the time to lisyen to the lyrics and you will be surprise. another hit from the brother in chi-town
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SeanWMay 27, 2005It's unbelievable. Anything Kanye touches is magic. And Common is just straight up real. It's refreshing as hell to hear a guy rappin about things other than money, hos, and clothes. It's a great album, and Kanye's producing really doesn't hurt it.
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PaulMay 26, 2005Classic IMO
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VinceMay 26, 2005This album is ridiculously brilliant - Kanye and Common are like PB & J...
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[Anonymous]May 26, 200511 great songs. A classic. Five mics.
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JasonMMay 25, 2005Amazing album. ill lyrics and great beats, very cohesive theme throughout.
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TonyJMay 25, 2005Pure Hip-hop soul
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rubenfMay 25, 2005Damn. yo let me the first to say, this album is official. aint heard an album as good since stillmatic. Common has created a classic. hands down the best rap this decade!!!
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VinceH.May 25, 2005
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LawrencePMay 25, 2005Common is back! Kanye West does a good job. He knows when little is more on Common's songs.
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kashifsMay 25, 2005inspirational
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TaylorFMay 24, 2005The album has soul for days. Many think Common is reaching in his past for his future. I think title is the best rebuttal for these peps. Common is what he is...so just let him be. Had it been a bit longer and maybe left out track 3 the album would have definately earned a 10.
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lonelyspacepandaMay 24, 2005In a genre that has been vacant of truth and beauty, Common (with Kanye's help) creates a flawless album overbrimming with it.
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RookMay 24, 2005Sweet and tight. Only knock is there wasn't more.
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ChaseMMay 24, 2005perhaps the most solid, concise Hip Hop album in a decade.
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AnthonyBMay 24, 2005Flawless album
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Awards & Rankings
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The album is an extremely satisfying listen, but if Common is to lead the revolution, he has to make more of a statement than a great bass line and some tight rhymes.
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Be isn't likely to be referred to by anyone as groundbreaking, but it's one of Common's best, and it's also one of the most tightly constructed albums of any form within recent memory.
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BlenderBe picks up where West's The College Dropout left off. [Jun 2005, p.113]