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Common's Birthday: Rapper Turns 40, Style Evolution (PHOTOS)

Huffington Post    
First Posted: 03/13/2012 9:21 am Updated: 03/13/2012 9:24 am

Happy 40th Birthday Common!

The Chicago born rapper hit the hip-hop scene 20 years ago and has since his lyrical skills into becoming a successful actor, influential philatrophist, and just added author to his long list of talents with the release of his memoir One Day It'll All Make Sense.

While he continues to entertains us on track, on screen and on paper--Common's sharp personal style is also worth noting.

The fashion forward star is consistently pulled together whether in a pair of jeans and T-shirt or tux. We've also noticed his particular love of neck adornments (scarves, ties, bow ties and ascots) and hats.

We caught up with Grammy-winning rapper at a New York Fashion Week event last month where he told us that he describes his style as smart, gentlemen like and progressive.

"I allow my style to change. As an artist and a human being I don't hold back--I stay free with what I want to do," Common told Huffington Post Black Voices.

In celebration of Common's 40th birthday, here's a look at his stellar style evolution over the years.

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Happy 40th Birthday Common! The Chicago born rapper hit the hip-hop scene 20 years ago and has since his lyrical skills into becoming a successful actor, influential philatrophist, and just added a...
Happy 40th Birthday Common! The Chicago born rapper hit the hip-hop scene 20 years ago and has since his lyrical skills into becoming a successful actor, influential philatrophist, and just added a...
Happy 40th Birthday Common! The Chicago born rapper hit the hip-hop scene 20 years ago and has since his lyrical skills into becoming a successful actor, influential philatrophist, and just added a...
Happy 40th Birthday Common! The Chicago born rapper hit the hip-hop scene 20 years ago and has since his lyrical skills into becoming a successful actor, influential philatrophist, and just added a...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rewith85man
Expressing Who I Am
06:24 PM on 03/24/2012
Both #Common and #RobinThicke have a birthday around the same time. That's great. #RandB
04:52 PM on 03/25/2012
He's one of my favorite actors and rappers.
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hyaofcr
No laughing, no smiling & absolutely no having fun
07:53 PM on 03/15/2012
He's very good on the AMC show "Hell on Wheels". Happy Birthday!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Loretta Farmer
09:09 AM on 03/14/2012
To my Fine Vegetarian Brother, Happy Birthday!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
King7David
Hoo Yah!!!!!!!
01:35 AM on 03/17/2012
I'm a vegetarian too, what about me?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SamiSam
Don't let the smooth taste fool you.
04:58 AM on 03/14/2012
He's fine, lawd! He needs to just marry me and his woman problems will be solved. See, simple solution.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wkingsolomon77
04:29 PM on 04/24/2012
He is my cousin i can connect you.But you will have to take second place to serena willaims and others
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SamiSam
Don't let the smooth taste fool you.
06:23 PM on 04/24/2012
Don't play with my emotions. Lol!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Skiwee
Just taking my time...
05:06 PM on 03/13/2012
Such a handsome guy. Happy birthday!
04:02 PM on 03/13/2012
Quite handsome!! Enjoy your B-day!
03:11 PM on 03/13/2012
LOL! Huffpo's had a new article about l.imbaugh every day since the f.luke thing but they won't post any of c.ommon's lyrics?
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Cakey4814
LuvBlogger
08:26 AM on 03/14/2012
Why are you on Common's birthday wishes page trying to drum up support for limbaugh? As you stated; there are enough articles on HPAOL on limbaugh everyday so why are you here?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Mychaeltodd Robinson
Min.Mychaeltodd, Executive Director of Fig Leaf Fi
03:09 PM on 03/13/2012
Happy Birthday dude!
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02:58 PM on 03/13/2012
Happy Birthday to Common. He is like Denzel and Clooney in that he gotten better looking with age (if you look at younger pics he was almost "too pretty". Now he's more manly/rugged! Loves!)

Common lowkey has one of the most consistent catalogs in hip hop. Here's to 40 more!
03:12 PM on 03/13/2012
So wait, now you guys don't care about s.exism?
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03:49 PM on 03/13/2012
I don't care about cherry-picked lyrics from an catalog of work that extends almost 20 years. You're transparently bitter and need to find a hobby or at least a better cause.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMMON!
02:54 PM on 03/13/2012
Why is huffpo celebrating common? They have a new story every day t.rashing limbaugh for reacting to an activist looking for a fight but there's no problem with common?

Why does obama have such a problem with what limbaugh said? Common's lyrics are much, much worse...

http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/heidi-hoe-lyrics-common/d0f626f22ffbce7d4825691f0004c4a1
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03:47 PM on 03/13/2012
^^That was one of Common's early songs that he has since evolved and grown from. The fact that you'd have to go that far back & cherry-picking through his extensive catalog just to compare him to Rush shows how desperate you are! LOL People are more intelligent than that.
Common is well-known for his mostly music and charitable causes so you cannot distort who he is with people who know better. Instead you just look clueless..
05:15 PM on 03/13/2012
I don't have to distort who he is. There's plenty of material that shows exactly what he's about.
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adabar
The future is bright...
02:42 PM on 03/13/2012
Just like good wine... aging beautifully! Mwah!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MardiGrasGirl
At 65, you'd better not give me a d*mn voucher!
01:58 PM on 03/13/2012
This is one of the only men that when I see him I get the butterflies in the stomach feeling. He is simply handsome and very alluring. I must watch "Just Wright" at least twice a week- 3 or 4 when I have time. I wish I could find his twin.
02:58 PM on 03/13/2012
I couldn't have said it better myself!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY COMMON!!!!!!! You are truly "JUST (W)RIGHT"!!!!!
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Cakey4814
LuvBlogger
08:43 AM on 03/14/2012
You too? Me and my sister love Just Wright...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MardiGrasGirl
At 65, you'd better not give me a d*mn voucher!
12:51 PM on 03/14/2012
You have good taste. Watched it last night. Lovvvveee you Common!
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Cakey4814
LuvBlogger
11:02 AM on 03/13/2012
Happy Birthday Common; loved the special you did with Ms. Angelou...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tre Members
Inna world fulla hate, Love is revolution
10:41 AM on 03/13/2012
2001- 2003 the Erykah Badu years and it shows...
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03:03 PM on 03/13/2012
Lol And thank God he's moved on from that....those crotchet hats & pants tho lol