Common comes back home again

Chicago artist Common is in town to headline the 20th anniversary celebration for Millennium Park, but he's not just here to perform.

The big picture: Though some hip-hop artists return to their hometown and visit clubs, throw parties and partake in late-night debauchery, Common is organizing summer camps, speaking at education symposiums, and visiting with Chicago kids through his Common Ground Foundation .

• Common might be a global success, but he hasn't stopped making Chicago and the South Side a priority.

What he's saying: "If I'm exposed to something in my travels, I want to bring it back to my community," Common said at a panel Wednesday at the Gradient Learning 2024 conference.

• "I don't consider communities underserved; I consider them to be high potential," Common said to the crowd of teachers.

Zoom out: Besides his foundation, the artist also backs the South Side charter school Arts In Motion and helms the Free to Dream nonprofit , which focuses on holistic education for children.

Context: Common's mother, Mahalia Hines, is a former member of the Chicago Board of Education and a retired educator.

• "My mother was heavy on education. I had to read a lot when I was young, and she allowed me to read the books I wanted to read. That helped me in my writing later on, it gave me purpose," Common said.
• "I always ask kids what is your purpose? It's not easy for them to answer, but it's something that they can start thinking about."

State of play: Along with all the initiatives he's leading, Common still finds time for music. He just put out a new album called " Auditorium Vol. 1 ", which includes several shout outs to his hometown.

Flashback: Common has been a Chicago treasure longer than Millennium Park has existed. He released several albums in the 1990s, including the critically acclaimed "Like Water for Chocolate." He has headlined big shows like Lollapalooza and is a Grammy, Oscar and Emmy winner.

The bottom line: Common is back, but unlike other homegrown Chicago stars, he never left.

If you go: Common will play with the Grant Park orchestra on Saturday night at Pritzker Pavilion. The show is free, but space is limited. Gates to the park open at 5pm.