CBS 2 in Chicago, Illinois has reported that Common has opened a recording studio at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. Complete with mixing boards, instruments, microphones and more, incarcerated folks will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of music production.
“The gentlemen who are incarcerated deserve access to better things in life so that’s why I fight for my city,” the Chicago native told CBS 2.
“And that’s why my heart is always with Chicago.”
Common was able to put this studio together with the help of a young attorney by the name of Ari Williams. With the help of a family friend, she was able to get in contact with the Chicago native and pitch the idea to him.
“I know music brings us all together. I want them to be OK. I want them to do something they’ve love to do,” Williams explained.
“And I know many of them are rappers. They love to rap and they love to sing.”
Moving forward, Common’s non-profit, Imagine Justice, will provide a 12-week course about the world of music production.
“This brings so much hope for them and inspiration for them. Them to know people actually care about them, that can change them as well,” Alyssa Williams of the Department of Corrections said.
