(CNN) -- The rapper Common wants to take hip-hop in a new direction, he says, and he has an unsuspecting ally -- President-elect Barack Obama. 

Common says he was looking for a new sound on his eighth album, "Universal Mind Control." 

Obama "is going to change hip-hop for the better," predicted the rapper, whose eighth album, "Universal Mind Control" (G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen), hits shelves Tuesday. 

"I really do believe we as hip-hop artists pick up what's going on in the world and try to reflect that," he told CNN, outlining his belief that mainstream as well as so-called "conscious" rappers -- the more socially aware -- will pick up on what he sees as the more optimistic prospects of an Obama presidency. 

"I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing," he said. 

Likewise, "Universal Mind Control," with its hook-heavy, synthed-out tracks, represents a "broadening" of hip-hop's audience -- one that demands evolution rather than hackneyed revamps of old beats, rhythms and rhymes, Common said. Listen to clips from the album and Common's interview with CNN.com » 

Not that Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., is altogether removed from the temptations of his hip-hop brethren. 

He serves as a spokesman for Lincoln Navigator and purports on his new album to "rebel in YSL," a reference to designer Yves Saint Laurent. Money is also a weakness, as Common -- No. 14 on Forbes magazine's 2008 list of richest rappers -- regularly invokes the greenbacks he makes and spends. iReport.com: Talk Grammy Awards and more showbiz with Todd  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Who is an unsuspecting ally of Common?
2. What is the name of Common's unsuspecting ally?
3. 
Q2:
1. What title does Barack Obama hold?
2. Barack Obama currently goes by which title?
3. 
Q3:
1. Barack Obama is the unsuspecting ally of which rapper?
2. Which rapper is allied with Barack Obama?
3. 
Q4:
1. What is Common's profession?
2. What does Common do for a living?
3. 
Q5:
1. How many albums does Common have?
2. Common has released how many albums?
3. 
Q6:
1. What is Common's real name?
2. Whar name was Common given by his parents?
3. 
Q7:
1. What is the title of Common's eighth album?
2. What has Common decided to call his eighth album?
3. 
Q8:
1. What news agency did Common talk to?
2. Common spoke to which news agency?
3. 
Q9:
1. What is required of Common's new album?
2. Does Common's new album require something different?
3. 
Q10:
1. Common's new album requires evolution rather than what?
2. Common's new album cannot contain what type of beats?
3. 
Q11:
1. What is the name of the person who serves as a spokesperson for Lincoln Navigator?
2. Who does Lincoln Navigator have as a spokesperson?
3. 
Q12:
1. For what company does Common serve as a spokesperson?
2. Common serves as a spokesperson for which company?
3. 
Q13:
1. What is YSL an acronym for?
2. Which designer is referenced by the acronym YSL?
3. 
Q14:
1. What is Yves Saint Laurent's profession?
2. What is Yves Saint Laurent known as?
3. 
Q15:
1. What is one of Common's weaknesses?
2. Common is known to have a weakness for doing what?
3. 
