Common says "initially" he wanted to be in 'Freedom Writers'

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper and aspiring actor Common collaborated with Will.I.Am for the lead single, "A Dream," from the Freedom Writers soundtrack, which hit stores on Tuesday, January 9th. The film is based on the true story of a teacher who is able to inspire her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school. The cast includes Hillary Swank, Mario, Patrick Dempsey, and Scott Glenn.

Common explained that initially he was hoping to land a role in the film. He said: "I met with the director. This was at the time when my agent had sent me the script and I was potentially wanting to act in it too. But I met with them and they talk to me about doing some music for it. I was trying to ease my way into acting in the movie but they was like, 'Nah we want you to do music.'"

The rapper added: "I was cool with it. I was happy with it 'cause my mother is a teacher and I knew that this movie was really trying, was really working to get across a good message."

Common will make his big screen debut in Smoking Aces which opens on January 26th. The rapper will play a bodyguard in the film, which also stars Alicia Keys, Jeremy Piven, and Ben Affleck.