Words by Jesse Serwer
Common premiered the video for his new single “Sweet” last night on Ustream, as part of a fundraising effort to support Haiti’s recovery from last year’s devastating earthquake. The cost was minimal and more than worthwhile: $1, with all proceeds going to the J/P Haitian Relief Organization. Shot over a four day trip to Port-au-Prince last month, the video is a dizzying, cinema vérité journey through the city, with Common adopting a notably gruff demeanor to match the aggressiveness of a record on which he proclaims, “I am to hip-hop what Obama is to politics” and “when it comes to hip-hop it begins and ends with me.” Friends in the White House or not, we’re guessing The Dreamer/The Believer (out next month) is going to feel more like Resurrection than Electric Circus.
UPDATE: The vid is now freely viewable (watch below) but definitely still support Haiti relief at JPHRO!