Can I Borrow a Dollar?

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the debut of the American rapper Common, who was then still called Common Sense. In 1991 a piece about him appeared in The Source's Unsigned Hype column, after which Relativity Records signed him. The label released three singles, including Take It EZ. With those he already had a solid reputation in the underground before the album was released on 6 October 1992.

Immenslope, later known as No I.D., and Twilite Tone produced the album, with additional work by the Beatnuts. The production is sparse, jazzy and relaxed, with samples, keyboards and drum breaks in the foreground. He raps in a sing-song style with a lot of intonation and fills his lyrics with wordplay and pop culture references. Critics called the album clever but little noticed. AllMusic sees it as an underrated debut that put Chicago hip hop on the map.

Listening

Track list

1. 1A Penny for My Thoughts4:24Apple Music ↗
2. 2Charms Alarm4:30Apple Music ↗
3. 3Take It EZ4:09Apple Music ↗
4. 4Heidi Hoe4:30Apple Music ↗
5. 5Breaker 1/94:02Apple Music ↗
6. 6Two Scoops of Raisins (feat. Immenslope)5:29Apple Music ↗
7. 7No Defense1:14Apple Music ↗
8. 8Blows to the Temple4:40Apple Music ↗
9. 9Just in the Nick of Rhyme2:29Apple Music ↗
10. 10Tricks Up My Sleeve3:22Apple Music ↗
11. 11Puppy Chow4:01Apple Music ↗
12. 12Soul By the Pound4:20Apple Music ↗
13. 13Pitchin' Pennies1:59Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗