Rapper Common does more than spit rhymes. He breakdances, too.
The artist shows off his skills while channeling his inner Lionel Richie in a sneak peak at Spike TV’s upcoming competition “Lip Sync Battle.” The series pits celebrities against each other in epic singing duels.
In the video, Common doesn’t let his bouncing “Jheri curl” hairstyle get in the way of performing Richie’s 1983 hit “All Night Long.”
His opponent is revealed to be singer John Legend, who’s earned a Best Original Song Oscar nomination — with Common — for Selma’s “Glory.” Legend brings back big-shoulder jackets and parachute pants as rapper MC Hammer, mimicking “U Can’t Touch This.”
Executive produced by Jimmy Fallon, John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant, the series is an extension of the NBC late-night host’s segment, which has seen Fallon take on Paul Rudd, Emma Stone and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Rick Schwartz at Fallon’s Eight Million Plus and Jay Peterson of Matador and Casey Patterson, Executive Vice President of Talent Development and Production at Viacom Entertainment Group, also signed on as executive producers, TheWrap previously reported.
Hosted by Grammy-winner LL Cool J with commentary from Chrissy Teigen, the Spike TV series premieres Thursday, Apr. 2 at 10 p.m.