Rapper Common confident in acting career

LOS ANGELES, May 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. rapper Common says he would like to have a successful acting career that can work in conjunction with his music efforts.

The "Be" rapper, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., said he views his recent appearances in TV commercials for companies such as Converse and Gap as practice for his acting goals, the Los Angeles Times reported online Saturday.

"I'm praying and believing that I'm gonna have a career as an actor," Common said, "and have music surrounding that."

The 37-year-old rapper admitted to the Times he has had to make certain image changes to embrace an acting lifestyle.

"When I was rapping, my mother used to say, 'You need to lift your hat up so people can see your face.' And I was like 'Look, don't nobody care about that -- they just want some good music, some music that's knockin,'" he said. "But in films ... it's more important. So I want to look good, I want to feel good. But most importantly, as an actor, I want to be good."

To date, some of Common's film credits include roles in "Smokin' Aces," "Terminator Salvation," "Wanted" and "American Gangster."