Common gets the word out on HIV/AIDS

Hip hop genius Common has always kept it real with tight lyrics and social conscienceness. He is also one of the very few rappers (and famous black men) who uses his platform to promote safe sex.

He is best known for his ads for the "Knowing Is Beautiful" HIV/AIDS campaign, and now he is joining the Kaiser Foundation and ThinkMTV to use lyrics to get out the word on HIV prevention. Wannabe rappers from across the country had a chance to submit lyrics that talked about safe sex. The winning lyrics are performed by Common for National HIV Testing Day.

“It’s important to know your status by getting tested because HIV/AIDS is taking a lot of lives in our community and around the world. I had an uncle succumb to HIV, so I’ve personally felt the impact of the disease,” Common said in a Kaiser Foundation statement. “Your lyrics can really have an affect on people’s lives and I’ve seen it happen.”

Common performs Jose Riviera's winning lyrics on why HIV testing is so important. Jose won the It's Your Sex Life "A Minute" Contest and flew to LA to film this spot with Common! Check it out here!