Lonnie Lynn

Lynn was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Mabel and Lonnie Lynn, a construction worker.[3][4]

At 6'7" and 215 lb, he was a forward and played basketball at DuSable High School on Chicago's south side before moving on to Wilberforce University and Upper Iowa University.[5]

Lynn was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 12th round of the 1966 NBA draft and later played one season for the Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association in 1969–70, averaging 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.[5]

Once known to Chicagoans for his play at DuSable High School, Lonnie Lynn gathered a following in the rap world. Father of hip hop artist Common, Lynn performed on several of his son's albums.[2]

On his son's records, Lynn shared opinions, experiences and wisdom to a younger hip hop audience in spoken word poetry format. Many of these appearances, in particular "Pops Rap" on Resurrection, feature Lynn discussing the hippie ideals that have found their way into hip hop culture. In an article for National Public Radio, journalist Robert Siegel wrote of Lonnie "Pops" Lynn:

Lonnie "Pops" Lynn is the father of the rapper Common, and a regular contributor to his son's albums. Lynn's spoken poetry graces the last song on each CD. Lynn says tells Robert Siegel Common's influence set Lynn himself on the right path.[2]

— Robert Siegel

Although he was reared in Chicago, Lynn was greatly affected by visits to the South during his youth and the brutal murder of Emmett Till, a fellow Chicagoan.

Lynn had six other children aside from Common.

He died of prostate cancer on September 12, 2014, at the age of 71.[6][7]

• Lynn at databasebasketball.com
• NPR Interview: 'Pops' Contributes to Rapper Common's Cause