Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Common Says He Learned A Lot from Exes Erykah Badu & Serena Williams

Common dishes on his greatest lessons in love.
Common on What He Learned from Exes
Common 240×340
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 28, 2020
Experiencing the end of a romantic relationship can be one of life’s greatest teachers. For rapper Common, he says that his past loves Erykah Badu and Serena Williams taught him a lot about about life, love, and himself.

PHOTOS: Hottest Couples of the Fall

“I learned a lot about Rashid Lynn when I was with Erykah,” Common told BlackEnterprise.com, referencing his birth name. “I’d choose to take a [backseat], and getting to see that in myself while she and I were together was enlightening. I learned to speak my mind and be the man I’m supposed to be.”

Common also revealed that both of his high-profile relationships taught him to stay true to himself no matter what.

PHOTOS: Most Shocking Celebrity Breakups

“I’ve learned to just be myself—more of a man—in any relationship, whether I was dating Serena or whomever,” said Common. “Finally, I feel I’m able to be me and really know what I want and make steps toward those things that are special to me.”

After the valuable lessons he’s learned in love, Common might just be ready for the ultimate next step — marriage.

“I want children, I want to have a home, I should be starting a family,” said Common.

What lessons have you learned from your past relationships?

hip-hop-heartthrobs