The Food

"The Food" is the first single by rapper Common released on his sixth album Be. Kanye West appears on the song's chorus and also produces the track. West interpolates "Nothing Can Change This Love" by Sam Cooke for the song's beat. In addition, DJ Dummy scratches on the song and Dave Chappelle introduces the live version of it. The song was originally performed live on Chappelle's Show on March 3, 2004. This live version is featured on Be, although a studio version does also exist. The studio version was released on The 20th Anniversary Edition of “Be” Which Released on May 23, 2025

ReleasedOctober 8, 2004

Recorded2004; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Dave Chappelle Show, New York, NY

Genre

• Hip hop
• conscious hip hop

Length3:36

Quick facts from the album Be, Released ...

"The Food"
Single by Common featuring Kanye West and DJ Dummy
from the album Be
Released	October 8, 2004
Recorded	2004; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Dave Chappelle Show, New York, NY
Genre	Hip hop conscious hip hop
Length	3:36
Label	GOOD Geffen
Songwriters	Lonnie Lynn Kanye West Sam Cooke Eugene Record Stanley McKenney
Producer	Kanye West
Common singles chronology
"Panthers" (2004) "The Food" (2004) "The Corner" (2005)
Kanye West singles chronology
"The New Workout Plan" (2004) "The Food" (2004) "I Changed My Mind" (2004)

Close

It received mostly positive acclaim, but was not promoted heavily and did not chart. IGN.com writer Spence D. describes it as a "nice and mild burner that showcases the Chi-town duo's symmetry."^[1] Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone states that it is one of the "hardest-rocking tracks of Common's career."^[2]