ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Rims and bling ? They 're `` super-played out , '' Common said , explaining that hip-hop is finding another direction and President Obama is helping point the way . Rapper/actor Common says he is not hearing as much `` gangsta talk '' in hip-hop lately . Common spoke of the `` Obama effect '' before a recent performance in Atlanta during the Hennessy Artistry Series . The Chicago , Illinois-born rapper/actor , who has appeared in the movies `` Wanted '' and `` American Gangster , '' spoke on a variety of topics , including the virtues of playing with live bands such as The Roots , who are co-hosting the series with him . Watch why hip-hop should inspire » . However , he skirted questions about recent outbursts by rapper Kanye West and tennis star Serena Williams . West is a friend and fellow Chicago rapper who has produced two of Common 's albums , and Williams is reportedly dating Common . `` People that I care about , that I consider being friends of mine , most of the things I discuss with them I would n't discuss in public because it 's a real relationship , '' he said . `` It 's not a relationship for the public , you know ? '' He did , however , spend a few minutes providing a progress report on Obama 's influence on hip-hop . Nine months ago , Common told CNN he believed Obama 's presidency would change the attitudes of many hip-hop artists . `` 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 in December . Read his December conversation with CNN . On Saturday , Common said he is already seeing signs that Obama is making a mark on a musical genre often vilified because of its focus on drugs , violence and the degradation of women . `` I also do n't find as much gangsta talk , '' he said . `` You see the whole chain-shining-and-rim era is gone . That 's like super-played out . Just to have that , I think , is part of the Obama effect . '' Also improving the industry , making it a more `` independent-thinking entity , '' he said , is that record labels and corporations hold less sway over the production process than they have in the past . Watch Common perform with The Roots » . `` So you find these artists that are having that independent thinking of being able to go out and create for themselves , '' he said . Common , born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. , believes hip-hop patrons want to hear more positive , upbeat messages in songs , and he believes the `` conscious rapper '' -- that is , the more socially aware -- is on the rise . `` People always want to feel better and be inspired , '' he said . `` Sometimes we need it . I think the conscious rapper will always be able to live and exist . '' Obama and the American spirit , he said , are prodding the movement along . Common said he hopes more rappers abandon vacuous materialistic ideals and the glorification of vices plaguing American communities -- `` and if whatever MC does n't , I will , '' he warned . `` I think Obama is definitely bringing people to be able to inspire people to create for themselves , '' he said . `` What America was built on was being able to say , 'Hey , we 're going to come in and use our resources to build for ourselves and our communities and build around that . We 're not going to depend on others . ' `` I think that 's what hip-hop is starting to do to a certain extent . I think it 's a great thing . ''
Common politely declines comment on friends Kanye West , Serena Williams . Chicago rapper/actor gives progress report on President Obama 's effect on hip-hop . `` I also do n't find as much gangsta talk '' in hip-hop lately , he explains . Socially aware rappers on rise because `` people want to feel better , be inspired ''