Kean University cancels the rapper's appearance after police voiced concerns over the song which centers on a woman who was convicted in '70s of killing a New Jersey state trooper.
- Apr 2, 2015
AceShowbiz - Common is no longer expected to be the commencement speaker this year at New Jersey's Kean University. The school has decided to cancel the rapper's appearance after police voiced concerns over the lyrics of his song "A Song for Assata".
The song, which appeared on Common's 2000 album "Like Water for Chocolate", centers on Joanne Chesimard a.k.a. Assata Shakur, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper in the '70s and fled to Cuba.
In a statement, State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey's president Chris Burgos called the university's decision to book Common "a slap in the face." He said, "What is troubling here is that a state university that is subsidized with state taxpayer funds, is once again being questioned on their decision-making at the highest levels."
"We can't control who the university invites to speak," added Captain Steve Jones, spokesman for the New Jersey state police. "However, we will continue our efforts to make the public aware of Joanne Chesimard's escape and life on the lam and continue to seek her return to New Jersey and justice."
Kean University announced Common as the commencement speaker earlier this week, but they quickly retracted the announcement hours later, claiming the announcement was made prematurely. The school's spokeswoman Susan Kayne told NorthJersey.com, "The students expressed interest in Common because he composed the Oscar-winning song 'Glory' with our prior commencement speaker John Legend. While we respect his talent, Kean is pursuing other speaker options."
