“She did it, man” (Exclusive)

In the current issue of PEOPLE, Common says he is “in a great partnership” and can see Hudson as “the one.”

• Common has released the new album The Auditorium Vol. 1 with Pete Rock on Friday

• The rapper and actor’s girlfriend, Jennifer Hudson, can be heard on the song “A GOD (There Is).”

• The star tells PEOPLE what the collaboration was like

Common and girlfriend Jennifer Hudson harmonize perfectly.

The 52-year-old rapper and actor released his new album with producer Pete Rock The Auditorium Vol. 1 on Friday – and a very special person can be heard in the song “A GOD (There Is)”.

In the current issue of PEOPLE, Common talks about working with 42-year-old Hudson and reveals that it was her special connection with Aretha Franklin that got her the job.

“I loved it because when I played it for my musician friends, they asked, ‘Who’s singing?'” he says. “I was like, ‘That’s Jennifer!’ It doesn’t sound like anything you’ve heard from her before. I love that we were able to use her gifts in a new setting. She nailed it, man.”

As for the origin of the song, the star says he listened to a beat sample that he always assumed was sung by Franklin, while in reality it was Valerie Simpson of Ashford and Simpson.

“I told (Jennifer) who it was and then we discussed,” he recalls. “I was like, you know how a light goes on? The light went out. ‘Wait, this song makes me feel like Aretha.’ Jennifer played Aretha (in 2021 Respect). Jennifer, why don’t you sing along?’ She said, ‘Oh man, I would love to sing along.’ She was so excited.”

Although Common and Hudson have largely remained private since confirming their relationship on their talk show in January, fans need look no further than the rapper’s song lyrics for clues about their current status.

In his new song “Chi-Town Do It” he raps: “Champion lover that could come with a ring/That got a ring to it, you and me as the theme.”

Related: Common Says New Album With Producer Pete Rock Is Inspired by ‘Life’: ‘I Feel Free. I Feel Joyful’ (Exclusive)

When asked what the line means exactly, Common laughs before playing coy again.

“I have a great partnership and, man, (Jennifer) is someone that I really care about and love and grow with,” he said. “The potential of a ‘champion lover’ is like, ‘Yo, you’re the one.’ I feel that. There’s a lot of potential there, that’s all I can say.”

The couple, both Chicago natives, were first linked in 2022 and seemingly confirmed their romance earlier this year when Common appeared as a guest The Jennifer Hudson Show and presented his host with a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m in a relationship … with one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met in my life,” he said on the show, careful not to mention his partner’s name. “She’s smart, she loves God, there’s something really down to earth about her, she’s talented.”

During the performance, Common also joked that he wanted his partner to become an EGOT winner, which Hudson achieved in 2022 after winning a Tony Award for A strange loop.

“This relationship is a place of happiness for me,” he said. “Seeing her happy makes me really happy. So I’m very thankful. I thank God every day and just let God guide this relationship.”

He later appeared on Today with Hoda & Jennaand said he and Hudson “had a little fun” during the interview.

“I thought, why not just be loving and honest with who I am and who we are,” he said. “And it felt good, it was fun, we had a good time.”

Hudson told PEOPLE in June that “everything is wonderful” in their relationship, then joked, “That’s all you need to know.”

Related: Jennifer Hudson Says ‘Everything Is Wonderful’ on Her Romance With Common: ‘This Is All You Need to Know’ (Exclusive)

As for his new album, Common describes it as “a new sound,” but “with the spirit and energy of what we loved (about past) generations.”

“I’m in a place where I feel free and happy,” he says. “In my raps, I reveal so many things that I would never say out loud. Because it comes from such a pure source, some things make me think, ‘Wow, I said that,’ or ‘That’s really how I feel.'”

For more on Common, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere now.

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