Jay Shetty & Common ON Finding His Purpose

How does a man who has achieved every accolade learn to seek fulfillment beyond the spotlight?

In this On Purpose episode, part of his podcast tour, Jay Shetty sat down with EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner, Common. The rapper began his career dreaming of becoming a basketball player, but an injury led him to focus on music instead. His artistry, which was embraced early by supportive friends, grew into a movement after realizing his music had a higher purpose when a fan credited his song Retrospect for Life with influencing their decision to have a child.

The rapper opened up to Jay Shetty about his origins as a young Black boy from the South Side of Chicago, detailing the influence of historical figures like Emmett Till on his positive approach to life. He discusses personal themes such as heartbreak and breakups, the importance of vulnerability and therapy, the power of dreams and their evolution, and maintaining spiritual trust in God's master plan.

Owing It to Emmett Till

Common shared with Jay Shetty that learning about the story of Emmett Till deeply influenced his life view. Till was a teenage boy who got lynched because he had allegedly offended a white woman in her family's shop. The boy's mother decided to hold an open-casket funeral to show the extent of the violence that was inflicted on her son. When he first learned about the story, the rapper recalls feeling pain, guilt, and a sense of obligation to Emmett Till.

Common explained that the story impacted him so much that he decided to live for Till's spirit and for others who had lost their lives unjustly. Instead of becoming bitter, he chose hope. The rapper decided to approach life by finding the positive lesson in difficult moments, using his anger as a catalyst to drive him toward doing something positive with his life. He also recalled witnessing greatness firsthand, having been a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls when Michael Jordan first came into the league.

From Basketball to Rhymes

Growing up, Common was very serious about becoming a basketball player; he dedicated significant time and energy to playing ball, feeling that the NBA stars like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson made the dream attainable. However, fate interfered in his sophomore year when he suffered an injury that sidelined him for months. During this time off the court, he invested his energy into writing. When he returned to the team but wasn't getting any play time, he decided to change paths from basketball to rap.

To Common, it was divine orchestration, as he was guided on the path he was supposed to be on. Although he never became a professional basketball player, he still came close to his dream when he was cast in the role of an NBA player in his first acting role in the movie Just Right. The rapper told Jay Shetty that, even though his dream changed over time, it was this aspiration that kept him from getting absorbed into the chaos of Chicago.

Trusting the Master Plan

Jay Shetty shared that, when your initial dream fails, many see it as game over. Yet Common believes that God's imagination is far superior to ours, so he trusts that divinity will guide him back on the path if he strays.

Common admitted to Jay Shetty that sometimes he clings tightly to what he wants, but has also grown to understand that, if something doesn't happen, it's because it wasn't supposed to be his. This idea applies to all areas of his life, including jobs, real estate or relationships. The rapper believes that surrendering to a higher plan makes life more beautiful, and is convinced that when something doesn't work out, it's because the universe has something better in store for you.

Heartbreak and the Path to Self-Discovery

Common opened up to Jay Shetty about a massive heartbreak. He explained that he felt broken in ways he hadn't felt before; he struggled to maintain a regular life, skipped meals, and sat in his hotel room for weeks. Yet he sees this time as one of his greatest periods of growth.

During this time of intense pain, Common started reading books like The Mastery of Love. He understood that he had learned all his lessons from that relationship, and it was now time to let go and move on. Jay Shetty noted that relationships either result in growing together or growing apart, but both are growing. Once Common understood that God ordained both the relationship and the eventual moving forward, he was able to be more present in his life.

Common's lesson from this breakup was that he was willing to dim his light for others. He realized he would do this when around more celebrated artists or anyone he felt was greater than him. This tendency stemmed partly from growing up with a strong mother who would stop any perceived arrogance, making it challenging for him to find a balance between humility and self-confidence.

Eventually, he learned that he had to acknowledge and claim the greatness within himself. Common told Jay Shetty he now believes he has to speak towards his own visions and purpose, believing in himself and not being afraid to wear his greatness in front of anyone.

Hip Hop and Vulnerability

Common discussed with Jay Shetty vulnerable topics, such as heartbreak, trauma, and therapy, which are not typical for the hip hop scene. He explained that he feels comfortable doing so, thanks to his supportive group of friends who have embraced his uniqueness and allowed him to be himself, even if they occasionally joked about his crochet pants or hats.

Common started embracing vulnerability publicly when he started receiving feedback about his music. After performing Retrospect for Life, a song that started as a poem about his own experience with abortion, a man told him that the song made him and his wife decide to have their child. This moment made Common realize he had a higher purpose with his music and that telling his sincere, honest truth could profoundly affect others. Similarly, a man once asked the rapper to stop his song The Light (about a woman being the light) so he could propose to his girlfriend.

Daily Routine

Common shared his commitment to daily habits and practices, which he refers to as achieving wholeness. His morning routine is spiritually focused. He begins his day by thanking God for the day and the gift of life. Then, he reads certain scriptures that reinforce his relationship with the divinity.

Common explained to Jay Shetty that prayer is an important daily routine, followed by meditation for one or two minutes. Lastly, he prepares for the day by consulting a book of mantras and scriptures, which helps him prepare for the day. These acts of gratitude help shift any funny feeling he might wake up with, improving his perspective on the day.

Beyond the spiritual, he incorporates physical practices, such as healthy nutrition and movement. Common told Jay Shetty he takes supplements and cares for his body through diet, which he noticed improved his clarity, energy, and even the sound of his voice when rapping. Also, he realized that getting a workout in or simply taking a walk is good for the mind and the soul.

Curating Your Circle

Common and Jay Shetty discussed the challenges of building new friendships as an adult, especially when your journey starts diverging from old friends. The rapper asserted that friendships should be a balance of giving and receiving; it's important to discern people's energy and intentions.

Similarly, Jay Shetty shared that it becomes obvious if someone is willing to match your energy when you vibrate at your highest frequency ot not. He noted that having a clear lane (such as his emphasis on spirituality) makes it easier, as only those who want to evolve and become more healed approach him. 

Common admitted that while he has many new people in his life he works with, he doesn't have a lot of new friends; true friendship involves sharing scriptures, motivation, and vulnerability. So, he seeks to be around energy that is there to better him, where "iron sharpens iron," as he told Jay.

Seizing Your Glory Moment

Common shared with Jay Shetty how he learned to seize the moment, even well into his career. After acting in the movie Selma, he felt compelled to contribute a song, but was initially hesitant to ask, dimming his light. When he mustered the courage to bring it up, he was told that other artists were considered for this job.

In a moment of divine inspiration, he turned to his friend John Legend, and, together, they collaborated on a song for the movie. They came up with the name Glory, which deeply resonated with Common; the song went on to win a Golden Globe, a Grammy, and an Oscar.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode “COMMON: The Untold Story of How Heartbreak, Rejection & Self-Doubt Almost Derailed His Success (And How He FINALLY Found His Purpose)” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.