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Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the 1992 debut album by Chicago rapper Common, then known as Common Sense. The album was entirely produced by No I.D then Immenslope, The Beatnuts and Twilite Tone. It contains guest vocals from Immenslope, Miss Jones and Common's then-girlfriend Rayshel. Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming describes it as "a clever but little-noticed first album."[1]
[edit] Overview
[edit] Background
In 1991, a feature was written about Common in the Unsigned Hype section of The Source. Relativity Records soon signed Common, and prepared to release three singles for his debut album. The first and best-charting single, 1992's "Take It EZ," boasted an upbeat 2 pc. DRK production. "Take It EZ" reached #5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart while his next two singles, "Breaker 1/9" and "Soul by the Pound," reached #10 and #7 respectively. All of these singles combined to give Common a strong underground reputation prior to the album's release.[2]
[edit] Content
Can I Borrow A Dollar? shows Common's earlier style of rapping; namely a sing-songy and inflection-heavy vocal delivery, as well as lyrics packed with wordplay and popular culture allusions.[3][4] The album's production, utilizing samples, keyboards, and drum breaks prominently, tends to be minimalistic, jazzy and laid back.[3] The Source called the production top notch.[5] Although receiving a lukewarm reception, Stanton Swihart of All Music Guide considers it to have put Chicago hip hop on the map and to be an underrated debut album. [3]
[edit] Track listing
On vinyl releases, the first six tracks are considered to be on the 'Dollar Side' of the album, while the next seven tracks are on the 'Sense Side'.
| # |
Title |
Length |
Performer(s) |
Producer(s) |
Production Credits |
Samples |
| 1 |
"A Penny for My Thoughts" |
4:23 |
Common |
Immenslope |
|
|
| 2 |
"Charms Alarm" |
4:30 |
Common |
Immenslope |
|
|
| 3 |
"Take It EZ" |
4:08 |
Common |
2 pc. DRK |
- Keyboards: Lenny Underwood
- Saxophone: Tony Orbach
|
- Contains samples from "When Will the Day Come" by Rasa
|
| 4 |
"Heidi Hoe" |
4:29 |
Common |
The Beatnuts |
|
|
| 5 |
"Breaker 1/9" |
4:01 |
Common |
Immenslope |
|
|
| 6 |
"Two Scoops of Raisins" |
5:28 |
Common, Immenslope |
Immenslope |
|
- Contains samples from "Red Baron" by Billy Cobham
- Contains samples from "Tappan Zee" by Bob James
- Contains samples from "Papa Was Too (Live)" by Joe Tex
|
| 7 |
"No Defense" |
1:14 |
Common |
Twilite Tone |
|
|
| 8 |
"Blows to the Temple" |
4:39 |
Common |
Twilite Tone |
|
|
| 9 |
"Just in the Nick of Rhyme" |
2:30 |
Common |
2 pc. DRK |
|
|
| 10 |
"Tricks Up My Sleeve" |
3:21 |
Common, Rayshel |
Immenslope |
- Keyboards: Lenny Underwood
- Bass: Kenny Aaronson
|
|
| 11 |
"Puppy Chow" |
4:01 |
Common, Miss Jones (background vocals) |
Twilite Tone |
|
|
| 12 |
"Soul by the Pound" |
4:20 |
Common |
Immenslope |
|
|
| 13 |
"Pitchin' Pennies" |
1:58 |
Common |
Immenslope |
|
|
[edit] Chart positions
[edit] Album chart positions
| Year |
Album |
Chart positions |
| Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums |
| 1993 |
Can I Borrow a Dollar? |
#70 |
[edit] Singles chart positions
| Year |
Song |
Chart positions |
| Hot Rap Singles |
| 1992 |
"Take It Ez" |
#5 |
| 1993 |
"Breaker 1/9" |
#10 |
| 1993 |
"Soul by the Pound" |
#7 |
[edit] References
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Common |
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| Albums |
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| Singles |
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| Films |
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| Related articles |
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