The album sags midway through with a handful of lightweight love songs, but finishes with some of its most emotionally resounding tracks: the 'Glory'-like plea for redemption 'Rain' with Legend, the celebration of family that is 'Little Chicago Boy', and the staggering 'Letter to the Free'.

"[10] Eric Renner Brown of Entertainment Weekly said, "It's the MC's empathetic and clear-eyed rhymes that truly make this a vital contribution to the national conversation.

"[19] Andy Cowan of Mojo magazine stated, "'Pyramids'' borrowing of Chuck D's mantra 'I don't rhyme for the sake of riddlin'' is emblematic of his still-abrasive mood, whether dissecting the prison system's failures on 'A Bigger Picture Called Free' or unleashing his most heartfelt rallying cry on the thrilling Robert Glasper-produced, Stevie Wonder-starring title track.

"[13] Damien Morris of The Observer said, "Although there's no hit to rival the Selma soundtrack epic, 'Glory', and a reunion with its vocalist John Legend is the worst of furrowed-brow, gluten-free beat poetry, this is intelligent, impressive work.

"[18] William Sutton of PopMatters said, "Whilst certainly not flawless, Black America Again sees Common deliver some of his most vital work and reaffirms his place in the discussion of greatest conscious rappers of all time.