Our boy Common has a new movie coming out! AOL Black Voices posted the first pictures of the rapper from his new movie, a remake of “The Terminator.”

Common plays Barnes, a resistance soldier and one of John Connor’s closest friends.

In the highly anticipated new installment of ‘The Terminator,’ set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.

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Common covers the December 2008 issue of YRB Magazine. In this issue Common talks about what made him start acting, his tour with N.E.R.D, his legacy in hip-hop, and his new album: Universal Mind Control.

YRB: Earlier this year, you mentioned the up-tempo tone of Universal Mind Control as a response to going to clubs and not hearing your own music. Was that a conscious plan going into recording?

Common: I think it evolved naturally. My experiences always come through in my music. I ain’t get up to Pharrell and say, “Make dance music.” Those words never came out of neither one of us. But in my mind, I knew I wanted to have some music that people could dance to. When I did Electric Circus [in 2002], I wanted to do some music that was “out there.” That was the only way I could describe it to the producers. That’s what my experiences were and what I was listening to at the time. This time, I was inspired to just make fun music. A lot of people see what’s going on in the world and awareness is at a high level. The information is out there. At this point in my career, it’s not necessary to tell people what’s going on or how to resolve the situation. More than anything, I wanted to give people something they could enjoy. A lot of times, I still was having fun in my life but I felt I needed to make some music that could inspire some people in other ways.

Universal Mind Control is IN STORES NOW so make sure you go out and support! Click HERE to read more of the interview.

Rapper Kanye West and filmmaker Spike Jonze attended a screening for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in New York. Did you know Yeezy plans on taking a break from hip-hop so that he can move to London to pursue his love of fashion? He wants to intern for Louis Vuitton so that he can perfect Pastelle, his own clothing line. More candids when you continue reading.

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Common took it back!  Common did a 180 and took hip-hop back to its days of electro, teaming up with Pharrell Williams, who comes off like a modern day version of the 1980s studio whizzes. While we’re used to Common in the role of poetic prophet or self righteous rhyme slayer, Universal Mind Control is primarily a rhythmic celebration, paying tribute to Afrika Bambaataa and Jonzun Crew jams.

LISTEN: Common - CHANGES

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PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

NEW YORK // WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 2008 » The last few days of Total Request Live is almost here! Diddy, 50 Cent & Common were visitors of TRL Studios yesterday. 50 Cent was promoting his new album and film, Before I Self Destruct; the album will be in stores December 16th. Common was also there on a promo tour for his upcoming album, Universal Mind Control, due in stores December 9th. Diddy was there in supporting and rejoicing the fact the Barack Obama has been elected the 44th first African American President. Check out the rest the photos after the jump.

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T.I. & LUDACRIS PERFORMING TOGETHER AT THE 2008 BET HIP-HOP AWARDS

ATLANTA // SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH 2008 »
AIRDATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD 2008 ON BET @ 8 PM EST. Hold up! Is that T.I. and Ludacris performing? Together? On stage? In front of people? Apparently the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards were full of surprises: from T-Pain replacing Katt Williams as the host at the last minute, all the way down to T.I. and Ludacris sharing the same stage. And from the looks of it, the show looked to be pretty good. Be sure to catch it when it airs on BET this Thursday - October 23rd - at 8 PM.

Follow the break to check out photos of Nas, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and more performing at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

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COMMON & T-PAIN GIVE EACH OTHER DAP ON THE RED CARPET AT THE 2008 BET HIP-HOP AWARDS

ATLANTA // SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18TH 2008 »
AIRDATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD 2008 ON BET @ 8 PM EST. The 2008 BET HIp-Hop Awards went down in Atlanta over the weekend, and here you can check out the photos from the red carpet. If you haven’t heard yet, Katt Williams was nixed from his hosting duties, and T-Pain filled in for the comedian at the last minute. BET made up some bogus story talking about how Katt bet T-Pain he couldn’t beat him in a break dance battle, and how Katt’s hosting duties were up for grabs to whoever won. It later came to light that Williams had been arrested on the morning of the show. Sound familiar, anyone? *Cough* T.I. *cough* got arrested *cough* last year *cough* and he was *cough* supposed to perform. I’m just saying…

Anyway, follow the break to check out photos of Ciara, T.I., Flo Rida, Rick Ross, and more all on the red carpet at the ‘08 BET HIp-Hop awards.

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HAWAII // OCTOBER 2008 » “Shawty got a ass on her!” - Gucci Mane. Tennis superstar Serena Williams and her muse, rapper Common, were recently spotted in Hawaii riding the waves. And word on the sidewalk is that Serena was killing it and showing homeboy up! More pics of the two when you continue reading.

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Common is back on the scene with, “Universal Mind Control,” a fresh new music video featuring Pharrell Williams! The 36-year-old rapper is due to release his new album, which holds the same title as the debut single, on November 11th 2008, so be on the lookout for it! But in mean time, check out the GOT video premiere of his brand new video above.

Many celebrities showed up in support of Cartier’s Third Annual Loveday Celebration. There were a lot musicians and actors there for this event. Eve, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Common, Ashanti, Kimora Lee Simmons, Rosario Dawson, Fergie, and the list goes on. Check out more photos after the cut.

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