JUST WRIGHT: COMMON on being a Leading Man, B-Ball Skills and passing of GURU

BlackTree TV's Jamaal Finkley goes one on one with the actor/artist Common who plays Scott McKnight in the upcoming romantic comedy JUST WRIGHT.

COMMON (Scott McKnight), the Grammy Award winning artist, made his big screen debut as a musical performer in DAVE CHAPPELLES BLOCK PARTY in 2006. In January 2007, he made his acting debut co-starring opposite Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys, and Ryan Reynolds in SMOKIN ACES for Universal Pictures and writer/director Joe Carnahan. Since then hes co-starred opposite Denzel Washington in AMERICAN GANGSTER directed by Ridley Scott, David Ayers STREET KINGS starring Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker, WANTED opposite Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman and TERMINATOR SALVATION directed by McG and starring Christian Bale.
He can currently be seen in DATE NIGHT, which stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey and is directed by Shawn Levy.
Prior to acting, Common rose to prominence as one of hip-hops most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over eight albums: Can I Borrow a Dollar?, Resurrection, One Day Itll All Make Sense, Like Water For Chocolate, and Electric Circus. In 2004, he partnered with Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye West to produce BE, which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. In July 2006, his video for the single Testify was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards™ including Best Hip Hop Video.
In 2007 Common released his critically acclaimed seventh album Finding Forever where it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and it went on to earn a Grammy award. His eighth album, Universal Mind Control, was produced in large part by Pharrell and recently nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album. He is currently in the studio working on his upcoming album The Believer.
Common launched the Common Ground Foundation, which gives back to the communities and allows our youth to realize their full potential. The CGF is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States. He has been able to motivate and empower collegiate minds across the country speaking at such prestigious institutions as California University of Pennsylvania, University of Memphis, Wright State University, University of Rochester and KIPP Charter Schools.
Common also offers a younger generation a better understanding of self respect and love, utilizing the cultural relevance of hip hop in the children books he has written. The first one, entitled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. His follow-up book I Like You But I Love Me was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and in 2008 his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions), was released.
In addition to his music, film, and literary pursuits, Common was recently announced as the face of the new Diesel mens fragrance Only the Brave. He also partnered with Microsoft on their Softwear clothing line, as well as other companies like Microsoft Zune, Lincoln Navigator and AMP Energy Drink. He even started his own Italian hat line called SOJI.
Common is currently working on expanding his literary pursuits, acting and producing in film and television projects, completing his latest album, partnering with Brands and continuing to inspire youth across the country with his Common Ground Foundation.