For a long long time they’re was a major disconnect between Common and Hip Hop and fans. Previously known as “Common Sense,” he featured a choppy, semi-conscious vibe that seemed to be overly preachy and turned many fans off costing him record sales and a true shot at stardom.

His last release, entitled “Finding Forever” may have been symbolic of arrival as a major force in not only Hip Hop music but as one of hip-hop’s top rising business moguls. Wednesday, Lincoln announced that the sultry emcee will be the spokesperson for the all-new 2008 Lincoln Navigator and will appear in national television broadcast, radio and print advertisements.

We’ve obviously seen this before as corporate America has wisely chosen to pimp Hip Hop with its marketing schemes. We’ve seen an influx of product placement in music videos and endorsement deals elevating selected artists to new heights. Some like T.I. and Ludacris before have since pissed their opportunities away but I think Lincoln hit a homerun with Common. He represents what’s mature and responsible about Hip Hop but as a result of his new inroads with his music, remains credible to the mainstream audience. Common’s now growing film career and most recent support of Obama has shown he has political power as well.

The first of the ads, entitled “Common,” will debut during NBC’s NFL Sunday Night Football on November 25th. The Partnership will also feature multiple levels of advertising, marketing and promotional activities between Lincoln and Common’s wide-ranging businesses and his community service program.