Throughout his career, Common has at times been—at least on paper—a left field featured guest. He appeared on albums like T.I.’s King when the Grand Hustle founder was the monarch of Trap. He made one of several Gil Scott Heron homages on The Game’s “Angel” two years after, showing an alliance while his Gangsta Rap mic counterpart was at war with a few Rap peers. One year later, Comm’ Sense even rocked alongside The Jonas Brothers on #1 LP Lines, Vines, and Trying Times.

Common bridges many gaps in music, and he’s done so without ever seeming to losing sight of his foundation. Taking arguably his biggest record in five years, “Black America Again,” the MC uses the playbook that’s been used with him. Comm’ recruits G.O.O.D. Music President Pusha T (who arrived at Kanye’s label as Common was on his way out) and Gucci Mane. And on a skeptic’s paper, this one might seem quite a bit different from how it sounds. This is the remix, and with a whole new expansion to the original.

The song leads off with Gucci Mane, which may appear to be a bold move—putting the Brick Squad founder on the song. However, Gucci more than rises to the occasion, speaking as an ex-con lyricist who can relate to the messages of Tupac Shakur and N.W.A. Common enters next, with a whole new verse—on a touched up beat. Then Pusha T enters, holding himself accountable for portraying a misleading image of Black Life on past albums. However, Push’ also released “Sunshine” less than a year ago, and uses world events to illustrate the awareness and change he personally is about.

Common & The Roots Join Forces To Break The Cycle Of Ills Facing Black America (Video)

Black America Again is Common’s 11th album, and second with Artium/Def Jam. This remix is not on the original release.