Common Reveals Kanye West Made “Heard ‘Em Say” Hit in Just 10 Minutes

Common has revealed an interesting tidbit about Kanye West’s creative process, sharing that the hit song “Heard ‘Em Say” from Late Registration was made in just 10 minutes. In a recent podcast appearance, Common discussed how Kanye offered him the beat for the track, but he ultimately passed on it, feeling it didn’t quite fit his album at the time.

Reflecting on the experience, Common described watching Kanye effortlessly write the song in a matter of minutes after creating the beat. He admitted that while the beat was undeniably great, he knew it was meant for Kanye and not himself. This decision led to Common passing on several other Kanye beats over the years, including those on the Graduation album.

The two Chicago natives have a long history of collaboration, with Common being signed to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music label from 2004 to 2010. During this time, Kanye served as an executive producer on Common’s albums Be, Finding Forever, and Universal Mind Control, showcasing their strong musical partnership.

Despite passing on some iconic beats, Common and Kanye have continued to work together on various projects, solidifying their bond as two of Chicago’s most influential artists in the hip-hop industry. The story of “Heard ‘Em Say” serves as a reminder of the creative genius that Kanye West possesses and the impact he has had on the music industry as a whole.