The Food

"The Food"
File:The Food - Common.jpg
Single by Common featuring Kanye West and DJ Dummy
from the album Be
Released	October 8, 2004
Format	12-inch single, Vinyl
Recorded	2004; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Dave Chappelle Show, New York, NY
Genre	Hip hop, Conscious hip hop
Length	3:36
Label	GOOD Music, Geffen
Writer(s)	Lonnie Lynn Kanye West Sam Cooke Eugene Record Stanley McKenney
Producer(s)	Kanye West
Common singles chronology
"Panthers" (2002) "The Food" (2004) "The Corner" (2005)
Kanye West singles chronology "Talk About Our Love" (2004) "The Food" (2004) "Selfish" (2004)

"The Food" is the first single by rapper Common released on his sixth album Be. Kanye West appears on the song's chorus and also produces the track. West samples "I Never Had It So Good" by The Chi-Lites and interpolates "Nothing Can Change This Love" by Otis Redding for the song's beat. In addition, DJ Dummy scratches on the song and Dave Chappelle introduces the live version of it. The song was originally performed live on Chappelle's Show on March 3, 2004. This live version is featured on Be, although a studio version does also exist.

It received mostly positive acclaim, but was not promoted heavily and did not chart. IGN.com writer Spence D. describes it as a "nice and mild burner that showcases the Chi-town duo's symmetry." Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone states that it is one of the "hardest-rocking tracks of Common's career."

Track listing

A-side

1. "The Food (Dirty)"
2. "The Food (Radio)"

B-side

1. "The Food (Instrumental)"
2. "The Food (Live Version from Chappelle's Show)"

See also

• List of Common songs

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics