Rapper Common: ‘The Tongue—A Creative Force Taught Me to Apply God’s Word’
[Excerpted from a New York Times article by Rebecca Clarke]
“I’m a believer in God’s Word,” the musician-actor said, “so learning how to apply that was really inspiring and impactful for me.”
What books are on your nightstand?
The Bible, “The Selected Works of Audre Lorde,” edited and with an introduction by Roxane Gay, and “The Tongue — A Creative Force” by Charles Capps. “The Tongue” is a spiritual book based on Bible scriptures and how you use the word of God and apply it to your life to manifest the things you want. I love this book because it put in perspective that you don’t have to be a religious person to understand the power of words and the power of the word. I’m a believer in God’s Word so learning how to apply that was really inspiring and impactful for me.
What’s the last great book you read?
A book called “The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn,” and Rick Rubin’s “The Creative Act: A Way of Being.” I started reading “The Wisdom of Florence Scovel Shinn” in my mid-twenties and I don’t think I had gathered how powerful our minds are and how much the things we say to ourselves mean. I was really moved by “The Creative Act” because I think Rick Rubin has experienced so much in life. He was one of the pioneers in hip-hop, so I really related to him and his journey. I learned from a musician friend of mine that so many things can contribute to your musical/creative vocabulary, even nature. When Rick Rubin mentioned it, it solidified that point. It’s like getting affirmed or talking to a therapist who’s also an artist. I felt like I got art therapy from him.
What book has had the greatest impact on you?
The Bible.
