On Sept. 30, 1997, Common dropped his third album, One Day It'll All Make Sense. An important marker in his long career, it's a project where Common further defines his voice, sharpening his skills and with it, his outlook on life. Produced mostly by Common's go-to producer No I.D., the album marked the last time the pair would work together until 2011's The Dreamer/Believer.

If his previous albums, Can I Borrow A Dollar and Resurrection established Common as a gifted emcee to watch, One Day It'll All Make Sense confirmed his status as an elite talent, as recognized on the project's lead single, the achingly somber "Retrospect for Life." Produced by No I.D. and legendary composer/pianist James Poyser, the song still stands as one of Lauryn Hill's best features, as Common approaches the subject of abortion.

The album features another notable soul cameo, this one from Erykah Badu on the third single, "All Night Long" with production by The Roots. The song offered a glimpse into what was to come less than two years later with their definitive work as the Soulquarians — Common's career-defining album, 2000's Like Water for Chocolate and Badu's genre-establishing effort, 2000's Mama's Gun.

A formative, necessary entry into Common's long discography, One Day It'll All Make Sense is Common in the midst of his ascension as one of the most important emcees Hip-Hop has witnessed.