While most artists follow a great album with a lackluster release, Common isn’t most artists. Fifteen years since his debut album, Common remains one of the most consistent rappers in the fickle hip-hop game with his stellar seventh album, Finding Forever.

The Chicago-native’s sound is timeless for two main reasons: He addresses the plights of everyday people and creates rich characters within his songs. Common also lets his emotions shine through, whether he is feeling angry, disappointed, mellow, aggressive or cocky. Of course, he never fails to stun listeners with jaw-dropping punch-lines.

Finding Forever uses a similar formula to 2005’s Be, yet it sounds fresh. The album mixes hometown anthems, songs about relationships, uplifting verses and socially conscious songs. Common thrives on Kanye West’s soulful production; his lyrics are thoughtful, his flow is tight and his voice is spirited.

This is Common rapping at his best. He sounds focused, dropping quotable rhymes with punch lines galore. His lyrics on the brooding, yet powerful “Start the Show,” may go down in rap history. Common spits, “You’re live show is hollow, you should have kept it loco/Rappin’ over vocals, soundin’ soft as Jojo/With 12 monkeys on stage it’s hard to see the guerilla/You was better off as a drug dealer.”

On the rugged “Southside,” Common and Kanye trade mind-blowing bars that recall and rival Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z’s lines on the classic “Brooklyn Finest.”

Some of Common’s strongest songs discuss either his personal experiences or the experiences of others. On “Drivin’ Me Wild” Common discusses how today’s materialistic and celebrity-obsessed culture affect a gold-digger and a vain rich kid. He addresses falling out of love on the humorous “Break My Heart” and not letting go of a love on the will.i.am.-produced “I Want You.”

Common maintains his status as a socially conscious rapper by exploring the internal conflicts and low self-esteem issues many in the black community suffer from in “Black Maybe.” On “Misunderstood,” he spits about a young criminal and a down-on-her-luck stripper who want to turn their lives around after near-death experiences.

Common should down as one of the greatest rappers of all time because his work is always true to his heart. He strives to make pure hip-hop, never dumbing down for commercial appeal (his GAP commercial aside). Even Finding Forever’s singles, “The Game” and “The People,” are two of the most artistic songs on the album.

With Finding Forever, Common has realized his goal as an artist: He has made classic music people can appreciate if not forever, then for a mighty long time.

Contact reporter Alex Rush at diversions@dbk.umd.edu.