The 6th Sense

Infobox Single
Name = The 6th Sense


Artist = Common featuring Bilal
from Album = Like Water for Chocolate
B-side = "Dooinit"
Released = February 15, 2000
Format = 12-inch single, Vinyl
Recorded = D&D Studios, New York City, New York
Genre = Chicago hip hop
Length = 5:19
Label = MCA Records
Writer = Lonnie Lynn
Bilal Oliver
Chris Martin
Kejuan Muchita
Albert Johnson
Producer = DJ Premier
Certification =
Chronology = Common singles
Last single = "Hurricane"
(1999)
This single = "The 6th Sense"
(2000)
Next single = "The Light"
(2000)
Misc = Extra chronology 2
Artist = Bilal singles
Type = single
Last single = -
This single = "The 6th Sense"
(2000)
Next single = "Soul Sista"
(2000)

:"For the 1999 M. Night Shyamalan film, see The Sixth Sense."

"The 6th Sense" is the first single from Common's 2000 album "Like Water for Chocolate" and is a b-side of "The Light." It is produced by DJ Premier making it the only song on Common's 2000 album not produced by a member of the Soulquarians. It features Premier's trademark chorus with scratched samples; the samples are from "Allustrious" by Mobb Deep. The chorus also features singing by neo-soul artist Bilal. The song's lyrics discuss afrocentricity, hip hop culture and various social issues. "The 6th Sense" begins with an introduction in which Common states "the revolution will not be televised, the revolution is here" referencing the famous Gil-Scott Heron song named "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised."

A music video directed by Andrew Dosunmu was made for "The 6th Sense." The video features Common rapping in a stationary car alongside Bilal, while chaos ensues outside of the car.

Acclaim

"The 6th Sense" has received positive recognition from multiple sources: Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters considers it to be a classic song and Common's best single besides "I Used to Love H.E.R.."cite web | last = Neal | first = Mark Anthony | url = http://www.popmatters.com/columns/criticalnoire/000505.shtml | title = Like Water for Chocolate Review at PopMatters.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007] Allmusic writer Steve Huey considers "The 6th Sense" as well as "The Light" as "quintessential Common, uplifting and thoughtful [songs that] helped bring him a whole new audience."cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:wbfrxq9kld0e | title = Like Water for Chocolate Review at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007] Rashaun Hall of BarnesAndNoble.com says that " [t] he freestyle-sounding lead single [...] showcases Common's fluid flow backed by a dense, DJ Premier beat that knocks harder than the NYPD."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?ean=8811197025 | title = Like Water for Chocolate Review at BarnesAndNoble.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007] Pitchfork Media writer Taylor Clark declares that on "The 6th Sense," "Common gets iller than Syphilis over an addictive track supplied by Gang Starr's DJ Premier."cite web | last = Clark | first = Taylor | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/16276-like-water-for-chocolate?artist_title=16276-like-water-for-chocolate | title = Like Water for Chocolate Review at PitchforkMedia.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 27 | accessyear = 2007]

These positive remarks may have contributed to its chart positions: #87 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and #14 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

There is a popular remix of the song produced by 9th Wonder, which utilizes the same scratches by DJ Premier, and can be found on many P2P networks as a free download. The remix was featured on some of 9th Wonder's remix compilations as well.

Track listing

A-side

# "The 6th Sense (Album Version)"
# "The 6th Sense (Instrumental)"
# "The 6th Sense (Acapella)"

B-side

# "Dooinit (Album Version)"
# "Dooinit (Instrumental)"

Chart positions

References

ee also

*List of Common songs