Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the 1992 debut album by Chicago rapper Common, (then known as Common Sense), released in the United States on October 6, 1992. The album was entirely produced by No I.D (then called Immenslope) and Twilite Tone, with addictional production by The Beatnuts. It contains guest vocals from Immenslope, Miss Jones and Common's then-girlfriend Rayshel. Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming described it as "a clever but little-noticed first album".[7]
Overview
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 was 1992's "Take It EZ". It 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.[8]
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 word play and popular culture allusions.[1][2] The album's production, utilizing samples, keyboards, and drum breaks prominently, tends to be minimalistic, jazzy and laid back.[1] The Source called the production top notch.[5] Although receiving a lukewarm reception, Stanton Swihart of Allmusic considers it to have put Chicago hip hop on the map and to be an underrated debut album. [1]
Track listing
| # |
Title |
Length |
Performer(s) |
Samples |
| 1 |
"A Penny for My Thoughts" |
4:23 |
Common, Lenny Underwood (keyboards), Kenny Aaronson (bass) |
|
| 2 |
"Charms Alarm" |
4:30 |
Common |
|
| 3 |
"Take It EZ" |
4:08 |
Common, Lenny Underwood (keyboards), Tony Orbach (saxophone) |
- Contains samples from "When Will the Day Come" by Rasa
- Contains samples from "A Crazy Mixed-Up World" by Sonny Stitt
- Contains samples from "Kool Is Back" by Funk, Inc.
|
| 4 |
"Heidi Hoe" |
4:29 |
Common |
|
| 5 |
"Breaker 1/9" |
4:01 |
Common |
|
| 6 |
"Two Scoops of Raisins" |
5:28 |
Common, Immenslope, Kenny Aaronson (bass) |
- Contains samples from "Papa Was Too" by Joe Tex
- Contains samples from "Tappan Zee" by Bob James
- Contains samples from "Red Baron" by Billy Cobham
|
| 7 |
"No Defense" |
1:14 |
Common |
|
| 8 |
"Blows to the Temple" |
4:39 |
Common |
|
| 9 |
"Just in the Nick of Rhyme" |
2:30 |
Common |
|
| 10 |
"Tricks Up My Sleeve" |
3:21 |
Common, Rayshel, Lenny Underwood (keyboards), Kenny Aaronson (bass) |
|
| 11 |
"Puppy Chow" |
4:01 |
Common, Miss Jones (background vocals) |
|
| 12 |
"Soul by the Pound" |
4:20 |
Common |
|
| 13 |
"Pitchin' Pennies" |
1:58 |
Common |
|
Chart positions
Album chart positions
Singles chart positions
References
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