Released October 8, 2004 Length 3:36 | Format 12-inch single, Vinyl Label GOOD Music, Geffen | |
Recorded 2004; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; The Dave Chappelle Show, New York, NY Genre Hip hop, Conscious hip hop | ||
"The Food" is the first single by rapper Common released on his sixth album Be. Kanye West appears on the song's chorus and also produces the track. West samples "I Never Had It So Good" by The Chi-Lites and interpolates "Nothing Can Change This Love" by Otis Redding for the song's beat. In addition, DJ Dummy scratches on the song and Dave Chappelle introduces the live version of it. The song was originally performed live on Chappelle's Show on March 3, 2004. This live version is featured on Be, although a studio version does also exist.
Contents
It received mostly positive acclaim, but was not promoted heavily and did not chart. IGN.com writer Spence D. describes it as a "nice and mild burner that showcases the Chi-town duo's symmetry." Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone states that it is one of the "hardest-rocking tracks of Common's career."
A-side
- "The Food (Dirty)"
- "The Food (Radio)"
B-side
- "The Food (Instrumental)"
- "The Food (Live Version from Chappelle's Show)"