Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., known to the world as Common, has built an illustrious career spanning decades. From Grammy-winning hip-hop albums to his work on Broadway, the Chicago-born artist has carved out a space as a multidimensional entertainer. His thoughtful lyrics and commanding voice have earned him a reputation as both a wordsmith and a storyteller. But behind that voice lies a deliberate effort to nurture the “instrument” that has become the cornerstone of his career.
For Common, dietary changes played a significant role in refining and preserving his voice. “At some point in my life, I realized my voice is my instrument, and I have to take care of that,” he told GQ.
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“If I want to perform and record throughout my whole life, then I have to take care of that instrument.” One of the pivotal moments in this journey was when he eliminated dairy from his diet. “One of the first changes I saw when I stopped eating dairy was my voice became clearer. It was less clogged and less mucus and stuff like that.”
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The shift to veganism
Growing up, Common was surrounded by soul food staples and indulgent comfort dishes. “I grew up in Chicago, and that means I was eating everything, drinking at an early age, and staying out as late as I wanted to,” he explained. But his wellness journey began when he decided to prioritize how he felt. “I wanted to feel good so that when I do have those great moments, I can actually enjoy them. I saw the difference in myself when I started taking care of myself.”
Common’s path to a fully vegan diet wasn’t linear. At one point, he returned to eating fish but ultimately decided to stick with a plant-based diet. Reflecting on the evolution of vegan options, he noted the stark difference between now and when he first started. “When I first started being vegan, bro, that food was not good. It was one of those things where I was like, ‘I have to gut it out because I’m doing it for a different reason’—and I love eating good food,” he said.
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Over the last decade, however, he’s seen vegan offerings dramatically improve. “Within the past ten years, I started seeing things really evolve,” Common shared. “[There] would be places where I could take non-vegetarians, and they’d be like, ‘Man, this food is good.’”
His transition to a plant-based diet even inspired those around him, including his mother. “When I first told my mom I was vegetarian, she was like, ‘What are you doing?’ Then, she wanted to cook for me,” he recalled. “She wasn’t seasoning it like she would regular stuff, and it was just bland. I said, ‘Ma, you gotta put the oomph in it and freak the season.’ She started doing that and making delicious vegetarian meals, and now delicious vegan meals.”
Daily wellness rituals
Common’s commitment to health goes beyond his diet. His daily routine begins with gratitude and spiritual reflection. “The day starts with gratitude and time with me and God, just thanking God for the day,” he explained. From there, he turns to scripture or mantras that keep him centered. “It doesn’t have to be a religious thing—to just have mantras or scripture that applies to what you want to be and who you are.”
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Before working out, Common relies on a nutrient-packed green drink, which he likens to his version of coffee. “It contains mostly vegetables because of what I was told by the great doctor Tracey Rico. Those vegetables help with your gut health, which is where a lot of disease starts, and it also regenerates your cells,” he said.
Physical activity plays an essential role in his lifestyle, though he’s clear about his priorities. “I’m not trying to be the biggest, buff dude,” he said. “I want to be able to move around, be flexible, and feel good.” His workouts are followed by light breakfasts like fruit parfaits, avocado toast, or vegan sausage with eggs. For dinner, his meals range from clean, plant-based dishes to indulgent vegan desserts. “I love my vegan desserts. I don’t even want to call those cheat days. Those are just days that I choose to eat those things.”
Balancing indulgence and discipline
As much as he enjoys health-conscious eating, Common still appreciates the flavors of his Chicago roots, including barbecue and fried foods. However, his decision to limit indulgences is rooted in a deeper desire for balance. “I found a balance, and it works for me,” he said. “I think one of the keys to taking care of yourself is being aware of certain general things that just won’t be good for your body. Smoking cigarettes? It ain’t gonna happen. There is no benefit to your body.”
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For Common, understanding his family history was another motivating factor in making healthier choices. “Somewhere in my family line, alcoholism has been there. That’s something that I had to make sure I reined in, but I still can enjoy my wine and time. If I felt it was taking me down, I wouldn’t do it at all,” he explained. These realizations have helped him break cycles and maintain control over his habits. “To be able to stop those things shows me that I got power. I got power, and we all got power.”
The power of a clear voice
At the core of Common’s dietary and wellness choices lies his dedication to his voice—both as an artist and as a human being. “The more help you get in your body, the stronger your voice will be,” he said. Vocal exercises and disciplined breathing techniques honed during his time on Broadway have also become part of his regimen. “The things I do to take care of it are vocal exercises. I’ve been blessed to do a Broadway play, and I had to work on breathing and vocal exercises. I apply those things when I’m doing performances.”
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Avoiding alcohol before stepping on stage is another practice he follows. “Not drinking too much. I don’t go on stage after drinking a lot because I wouldn’t get the best out of my voice,” he explained. For Common, maintaining his voice is about more than vocal cords—it’s about taking care of his entire body. “It ain’t just coming from the vocal cords. It’s your breath that comes all the way through the body.”
