The People (song)

"The People" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Common, released as the second single from his seventh studio album Finding Forever. The song made its first appearance on fellow American rapper Kanye West's Can't Tell Me Nothing mixtape. The song features production by West and contains background vocals provided by soul singer Dwele. The original version of the song had Common singing the hook by himself, but this was later replaced with Dwele singing the hook.^{[citation needed]} It contains samples of "We Almost Lost Detroit" by Gil Scott-Heron as well as vocal samples of "Long Red" by Mountain (the latter of which was sampled on "Wouldn't Get Far" also produced by West).^[1] This action was part of West's intention to pay tribute to J Dilla through the production style expressed within the album.^[2][3]

B-side"The Game"

ReleasedMay 22, 2007

GenreHip hop

Length3:31

Quick facts Single by Common, from the album Finding Forever and the mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing ...

"The People"
Single by Common
from the album Finding Forever and the mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing
B-side	"The Game"
Released	May 22, 2007
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:31
Label	GOOD Geffen
Songwriters	Lonnie Lynn Kanye West Gil Scott-Heron
Producer	Kanye West
Common singles chronology
"A Dream" (2006) "The People" (2007) "The Game" (2007)

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Though it performed moderately on the charts, "The People" became one of the most critically acclaimed songs of the year. The song was listed at number twenty-nine on Rolling Stone's the 100 Best Songs of 2007.^[4] It also received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards.