Common Handed Social Justice Award From Robert De Niro

Yesterday, Robert De Niro handed Common Tribeca Festival’s Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. The legendary rapper gets props for “breaking down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed, diverse roles, and continued success in all aspects of his career,” according to HipHopDX. 

Common wins this prestigious description because he works around the clock to bring a positive change in social justice. Furthermore, the “GO!” wordsmith strongly advocates mental health awareness, voting, and unjust incarceration. With these two elements, he motivates underprivileged high schoolers to be the best future leaders they can be. Common’s efforts mirror his Common Ground Foundation. He also has a nonprofit organization that helps reduce the corruption around poverty. The company is called  Imagine Justice. 

“Tonight I received the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award,” Common put on Instagram. “Robert De Niro was the one to present it. Thank you, @tribeca, for all the love.”

Alongside the caption, he posted a picture of himself embracing De Niro. 

During De Niro’s time on stage, he applauded Common for “achieving great feats.” Then, the famous actor elaborated on the rapper’s excellence.

“As an artist, Common continues to entertain us, and as an activist, he continues to lead in so many areas.” 

During his time at the Tribeca headquarters, the elite lyricist also explained why he became passionate about social justice to begin with. Crediting Michelle Alexander, the author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, he said:

“I spoke to Michelle Alexander, who wrote the New Jim Crow. And it clicked — it was one of those things I needed to be doing. If I’m willing to rap and die for the people. I must be there for them.”

In 2018, Common was interviewed about his interest with bettering people’s lives via Billboard.

“I want to bring a practical change in people’s lives. I want to walk down Atlantic Avenue and see someone improve because of Global Citizen and my work. So I’m always in a fight for that.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: (L-R) Charles Blow, Derrick Adams, Common and Robert De Niro speak during The Harry Belafonte Voices For Social Justice Award at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theater on June 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

Written by Natalee Gilbert

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