[3] At age six, Commons' family moved to Chicago, which would lead to his appreciation of American blues, folk and swamp rock music,[4] and of artists, notable among which are The Allman Brothers Band.

[6] Aged 18, Commons relocated to London and commenced reading classical music at Goldsmiths College, alongside contemporaries including James Blake and Katy B.

[4][7] His second EP, Rumble and Sway, was released in March 2013 with Interscope, produced by Alex da Kid, who early signed him to his label KIDinaKORNER.

[8][9] He is featured on Eminem's eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2, in the track "Desperation" which is only included in the deluxe edition bonus disc.

In May that year, he covered Soul Asylum's Runaway Train along with fellow artists Skylar Grey and Gallant in collaboration with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Commons' baritone vocals, influenced by Gregg Allman,[7] are notable for their authenticity of the blues genre, reflected through his Americanised accent and deep, "raspy"[7] and "gritty"[11] singing voice, earning him comparisons with Tom Waits,[12] Johnny Cash,[13] Leonard Cohen,[13] Nick Cave,[14] Greg Dulli[14] and Mark Lanegan.