Common freestyles over Toto’s ‘Africa’ at the Aspen Ideas Festival

At the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival, rapper, actor, and activist Common teamed up with Aspen Music School students for an impromptu performance, freestyling over Toto’s 1982 hit “Africa.” In a spontaneous session, Common guided the students to loop two measures from the song while his percussionist, Mark Colenburg, added a beat. Common performed the freestyle while standing on a rock in the Zen Garden, creating a memorable moment for everyone involved.

The performance, recorded on June 28, 2024, highlighted the joy and creativity that can arise from unrehearsed collaboration. The talented students accompanied Common with violins, viola, and cello, creating a unique blend of hip-hop and classical music. The event showcased the power of music to inspire and connect, even in an unexpected setting.

Source: NPR