Rapper Common tours to Delaware with new wellness book in early 2024. Here's how to attend

Andre Lamar, Delaware News Journal

Updated January 12, 2024 at 1:20 AM·2 min read

The Grammy Award-winning rapper Common is hitting the ground running in the new year with a tour stop in Delaware. But this stop isn't for a concert.

The first rapper in history to win an Emmy, Grammy and Oscar is headed to the Wilmington Public Library for his book tour on Friday, Jan. 26.

This event with Common is free and no registration or tickets are required. Seating is first come, first served.

Common's book tour is for his upcoming release "And Then We Rise": A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self."

When is Common's new book coming out?

The book "And Then We Rise" releases on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The book will be available at retailers including Amazon.

What is Common's new book about?

Common attends the 38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on Nov. 3, 2023 in New York City.

"And Then We Rise" offers a comprehensive approach to wellness.

"'And Then We Rise" is about Common’s journey to wellness as a vital element of his success. A testimony to the benefits of self-care, this book is composed of four sections, each with its own important lessons," according to the book's synopsis on Amazon.

"'The Food' focuses on nutrition. 'The Body' focuses on fitness. 'The Mind' focuses on mental health. And 'The Soul' focuses on perhaps the most profound thing of all — spiritual well-being."

Readers will discover Common's personal stories act as the backbone of his book.

At the same time, the music artist acts as the bridge to "his own nutritionist and chef, his own physical trainer, and his own therapist, as well as to those who act as his spiritual influences," per the book's synopsis.

Who is Common?

Common performs onstage during A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop at YouTube Theater on Nov. 8, 2023 in Inglewood, California.

Common (Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.) came into the hip-hop scene in the early '90s under the alias "Common Sense."

The socially conscious rapper from Chicago has collaborated with artists like Ye (formerly Kanye West), Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, John Legend and many others.

He's known for his signature rap style where he enunciates his words clearly, and somewhat slowly, to the point where it sounds like he's reciting material at a poetry slam.

He won an Emmy in 2017 for the song "Letter to the Free," which appeared in the documentary "13th." He won an Oscar with John Legend in 2015 for the song "Glory" from the film "Selma." Common also won three Grammy Awards, the latest of which was in 2016 for "Glory."

Common has flexed his acting chops in several films including "Suicide Squad," "John Wick: Chapter 2" and "American Gangster."

Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington) at 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26. Admission is free. Visit wilmington.lib.de.us or call (302) 571-7400.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.