"Common Ground" by Jack Harlow is a song that explores the differences in lifestyles and experiences between people from different backgrounds and how it affects their perception of the world around them. Harlow talks about the suburbs, where despite being largely affluent, the youth still embrace elements of hip hop culture, albeit in a sanitized and less threatening way. The use of ebonics and references to "traps" and "racks" are examples of this. Harlow critiques the "white girl squatting" trend, where privileged young women try to appropriate the physical attributes of black women for Instagram likes, while remaining detached from the struggles of the black community. He also talks about how suburban kids consume hip hop music and culture as a way to feel more rebellious and tough, often without understanding the real violence and hardship that exists in inner city neighborhoods. The second verse goes on to talk about how privileged young people often misunderstand and misrepresent hip hop culture, both in terms of who they perceive to be the "best" and "worst" rappers, as well as what they view as the "real" hip hop. Harlow critiques the tendency of some in the media to treat hip hop as a monolithic genre, instead of recognizing its diversity and complexity. Overall, "Common Ground" is a commentary on the way that cultural differences between people from different backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes. Despite these differences, the song ultimately seeks to find commonalities between people, particularly in the shared love of hip hop music and culture.
