The Present is a Gift

Common's titular and introductory track Be from the album Be is in my opinion not only one of the greatest introductions to any rap album ever, but also a simple example of poetry through lyricism. Musically, underrated producer Kanye West helps contribute to the meaning of the song by utilizing soulful production.

The song is about the freedom and need for Common to exist and live in America based of the ideology that we have to do our part to better the world in the present regardless of our past or what the future could hold. Common opens this song by stating that he is influenced by powerful African American men, and that although they may have passed away their spirit strengthens him.

I want to be as free as the spirits of those who left
I'm talking Malcolm, Coltrane, my man Yusef
Through death grew conception, new breath and resurrection

Malcolm X was a human rights activist, John Coltrane was an African American saxophonist, and Yusef was one of Common's friends who died when Common was young. While these three all lead different lives, they have inspired Common to be the person he is. He then builds off of this idea later in the song when he talks about his daughter...

I look into my daughter's eyes
And realize I'ma learn through her
The Messiah, might even return through her
If I'ma do it, I gotta change the world through her

Not only will common work hard for the next generation, which he sees in his daughter; But Common also will better himself by learning from the young since they are going to be his future. He may not literally see the chosen one Messiah in his daughter, he is hopeful.

After the first sentence of the song he opens up and flows through many different events and ideas that all contribute towards the idea that Common like many other African Americans have had a trying past, and the future may be foggy; but he is blessed to have the present. Common shows optimism in this idea that he wont be discouraged on his past or the future, he will let them empower him and live every day trying to be a better man.

Never looking back, or too far in front of me
The present is a gift, and I just want to be

Common believes that the present is mix of the past and the future, and we should enjoy the present because not only have others paved the way for us be we also need to work hard to create a bright future for others. Common plays with the word present in the sense that it is not only a gift but also the present. The present is metaphorically a gift for us live right now, it is also ours to give to those who come after us.