Common, Robert Glasper & Karriem Riggins Are August Greene, Release New Single, Optimistic feat. Brandy

The past year or two has brought a lot of super groups together and whether that’s partially due to our current President, and most of these groups forming to give great music with a message, that’s needed in times like today, it’s a trend that looks like will continue into the new year.  As rapper Common joins forces with pianist/producer, Robert Glasper and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins to form August Greene.  A new collective that Common felt was needed in times like now, the group has actually won an Emmy before they became an actual group for their first song together, Letter To The Free, from Ava DeVernay’s documentary, 13th.

Now the trio will release their collaborative debut album on March 9th, lead by the very optimistic and positively inspiring first single, the appropriately titled, Optimistic featuring legendary singer Brandy.  A mix of Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B and Soul, that’s truly not just tied to one genre of music, you can listen to the feel-good and inspiring new record below.

Common had the following to say in a statement about the group.  “August Greene actually formed before we chose a name, before we even knew it was a band.  Karriem, Rob and I go back many years.  It was something natural.  When I started working with them it was like, ‘man, this feels like home,” and it felt new and fresh.  We love working together.  The music takes us all to new places and it just feels like, everything I want to be as a musician is within the group of August Greene.”