He’s one of the most successful “conscious” rappers of our generation, but even Chicago’s own Common isn’t immune to a little controversy.

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Rapper/actor Common is bringing his life story to the book aisle. On Wednesday, publishers at Atria Book inked a deal to release a memoir penned by the star, 38, The Associated Press has learned.

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Common and Serena: Take 2. Tennis champ Serena Williams and Grammy Award-winning rapper Common have reportedly rekindled their romance after scheduling conflicts put the kibosh on their love affair.

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Check out the video for “Wake Up.” The track — which features conscious rapper Common and Canadian songbird Melanie Fiona — The Roots and John Legend’s collaborative album, aptly-titled Wake Up.

The inspirational single is a revival of the ’70s anthem first made famous by Harold Mevin & The Blue Notes — featuring Teddy Pendergrass on lead vocals.

Wake Up: The Album debuts Sept. 21.

Common is putting down his mic for a new role in the upcoming AMC dramatic series Hell on Wheels.

The rapper is the first person to be cast in the project, described as a Reconstruction-era historical western with a focus on the creation of the transcontinental railroad.

Common will play Elam, a freed slave who arrives in the west looking for work.

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Tennis champ Serena Williams, 28, reveals the reason behind her April split from rapper/actor Common
on the pages of the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

Harper’s writes: “She was dating the rapper and actor Common, but they broke up in April. ‘His schedule is actually worse than mine,’ she sighs. ‘He didn’t want the responsibility. It’s really tough.’ Common then began promoting his latest film, heaping enough praise on Williams that people assumed they were still on. (‘Beautiful, intelligent woman, fun and spiritual woman. I think she’s an incredible person,’ he told Access Hollywood.) Williams looks befuddled — befuddled but coquettish. ‘So I called him and I was like, Why are you saying all this stuff when we’re not together?’ Probably because she looks so good.”

Uh-oh — is off-court drama throwing a monkey wrench in the game of love for tennis ace Serena Williams? According to the June 7 issue of In Touch Magazine, Williams and rapper/actor Common have split after two years. The celeb weekly quotes a source claiming the two “just grew apart.”

The couple were last seen together in April. The final warning sign came when Common took his mother as his date to the premiere of his new film, Just Wright.

Hip-hop star Common has launched the first national online book club.

The Corner Book Club is described as an interactive way for students in grades 8-12 to learn and to talk about reading materials that are relevant to their life.

To Learn More, Visit The Club’s Official Website>