LIVE: Common and Jay Electronica drop gems at The Fillmore Silver Spring

Sunday night Common brought the Nobody's Smiling tour to the Fillmore in Silver Spring. Named after his now Grammy nominated album, the show was a great all around experience that touched all the parts of hip hop. A true vet in the game, Common still has plenty left after ten albums.

Jay Electronica was the second act of the night but the first for me since I missed Fly Union. Despite not having a lot of recent material, he easily got the crowd behind him. Rapping acapella from the crowd most of the set, Jay Elect was spitting the real and wanted to make sure we heard every word. After daring fans to jump over the guard rails and join him on stage, he closed the show by crushing Exhibit C and his Nigga We Made It Remix. Hope Jay Elect puts out more music soon, the game needs his perspective.

Common came out right when he was scheduled and began running through jams. The People, Go, Make Her Say and more ring off as Common paces the stage rapping every word even though the crowd is trying to keep up. Backed by two Djs, a keyboardist and rapper/singer Mumu Fresh, Common included some of everything into his show.

Large photographs helped tell stories and transition from song to song. Mixing new and old songs creating a perfect flow to the set that also included two real freestyles. Common gets a young lady from the crowd and proceeds to spit a freestyle about her and the DMV. The second freestyle is spit from the crowd and includes a shout out  to Marion Barry (RIP) and President Obama.

Mumu Fresh who had been singing hooks on songs like Testify and Come Close got her chance to shine on a collaboration she has with Common. Then the Djs got their chance to show off followed by a solo from the keyboardist. The crowd was there for it all and applauded everyone.

Common even came back out for an encore that had people who left too early pressing to get back in the building. Jay Elect joined Common during the encore as they performed Kingdom.

Common hasn't loss a step at all after going a few years without touring. True showman who brought a lot energy and dimensions to the stage. Catch him on tour of you can.

Written by Toronto Alsbrooks courtesy of howwastheconcert.com.  Photos by Tony Mobley of TMO Photography.