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AUGUST GREENE (COMMON, ROBERT GLASPER & KAREEM RIGGINS) FEAT. BRANDY – OPTIMISTIC

Common has formed the group August Greene alongside Robert Glasper and Kareem Riggins. You may have heard them before on the soundtrack for 13th with the song “Letter to the Free.” Now the trio are back at it with Brandy providing additional vocals on “Optimistic.”

“August Greene actually formed before we chose a name, before we even knew it was a band,” Common said in a statement. “Karriem, Rob and I go back many years. It was something natural. When I started working with them it was like, ‘man, this feels like home,’ and it felt new and fresh. We love working together. The music takes us all to new places and it just feels like, everything I want to be as a musician is within the group of August Greene.”

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WATCH COMMON’S LOVESTAR DOCUMENTARY [VIDEO]

Common connects with Essence Magazine to create this documentary about the love for Black women that stems off the lead single “Lovestar” from his 11th studio album.

“When I wrote the song, I was thinking about when you really love a person,” Common said to Essence.”I thought about when I love a woman and I can enjoy her, but at the same time she can enjoy me and we can have fun and laugh. But then there’s also a real bond that’s there that has spirituality, growth, support and integrity connected in it. We’re willing to make mistakes, but we’re there for each other; that’s true love.

“So the theme, Love Star, came up just because I thought it was a cool nickname to call somebody that you’re close to. I wanted to show that we revere and hold you high, Black woman. We love you and care for you and honor you.”