Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artist Common will return to Tallahassee for a performance that promises to blend hip-hop, orchestral music and Rattler pride.
Noted as one of the most respected voices in contemporary music, Common is scheduled to perform backed by the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 14 at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascade Park.
The concert, set for Saturday evening following FAMU's football game against Mississippi Valley State, is expected to draw visitors from across the region for a weekend celebrating both music and Rattler tradition.
The performance will mark a homecoming of sorts for the Chicago-born artist, whose connection to FAMU remains a source of pride for the university community. Though he left Tallahassee before completing his degree, Common has frequently spoken about the impact of his time at FAMU and the role it played in shaping his worldview.
Over the past three decades, Common has built one of the most versatile careers in American entertainment. He emerged as a leading figure in conscious hip-hop during the 1990s before expanding into acting, writing, philanthropy and social advocacy. His accolades include multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for the song "Glory" from the film Selma, and an Emmy Award, placing him among a select group of performers recognized across multiple artistic disciplines.
The Tallahassee performance is expected to feature orchestral arrangements of songs spanning his catalog, continuing a growing trend of collaborations between symphony orchestras and contemporary artists seeking to reimagine hip-hop through a classical lens.
For the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the concert represents an opportunity to connect new audiences with orchestral music while celebrating one of FAMU's most accomplished alums.