With Nobody’s Smiling announced in the first days of 2014, Heads weren’t sure of any more details. The Chicago Hip-Hop pioneer had fulfilled his deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music years ago, before releasing 2011’s The Dreamer/The Believer at Warner Bros. Records, an imprint which has since rolled into Atlantic.

While Comm released some music from his touted upcoming album, the details were all unclear (perhaps the way it should be?). This morning, Def Jam Records surprised Heads with an early-morning announcement. Common is now at the label founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, presently home to the likes of friends/collaborators Kanye West, The Roots, and Nas. After tenures with Relativity/Loud, MCA, Geffen, and Warner, Comm inks his first deal with Def Jam in a 22-year career.

However, it makes sense when it’s considered that Common’s longtime musical partner No I.D. is currently co-head of A&R at D.J. The pair worked extensively on Comm’s first three LPs, before reuniting in recent years.

“I’m honored to team up with No ID and be a part of the Artium and Def Jam family,” Comm said on his website. “Creating this album and signing to Def Jam feels like a new beginning for me. I feel like a new artist because I created this album with the purpose to give back to my city and to the culture of Hip-Hop. Def Jam is part of the foundation of Hip-Hop and being able to work with No ID was returning to my foundation now with new energy and new hunger.”

“Common and I have a long history of making great music together,” said No ID in a Def Jam press release. No’s own Artium imprint is also part of the venture. “His rich legacy and robust talent are perfect additions to the Def Jam family. It’s particularly significant that he’s coming under our roof for his 10th album as a matured artist and cultural ambassador. It’s a tremendous boost for the spirit of Def Jam as well as the world of Hip-Hop.”

While labels and politics are all fine and good? Perhaps the best news of all, Nobody’s Smiling is officially planned to release July 22.

Related: Common’s Nobody Smiling Shows Its Teeth With An Ab-Soul Feature On A No ID Jam (Audio)