Rapper's Father Dies At 71

US rapper Common loses dad Lonnie "Pops" Lynn, passed away last Friday at age 71.

The Chicago-bred MC (real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr.), broke the news of his father's passing during an interview with ABC where he praised his old man for the way he looked at life.

"He was truly a natural poet and master of words. His personality and soul shined through his work,"said Common.

Speaking on how his dad's ideologies helped him through his dark days and career, Common added,

"The way he said things made me look at life and the world in a new way, in a different way. They always sparked a thought in my head. His words would always make me strive to achieve higher, to write better, to be more truthful with my words."

Our deepest sympathies to Common and his entire family during this difficult time.