"The Corner" attained some commercial success reaching #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, but was even more popular among critics.

West's groove is sick and witty, piano and bass meshing together in a smoothly lumbering lope with a nice accentuated vocal sample on the chorus.

[2]In addition, Nathan Brackett of Rolling Stone states that it is one of the "hardest-rocking tracks of Common's career.

"[4] Steve Juon of RapReviews.com claims Common's lyrics to contain profound observations of urban life that show why hip hop is the "black man's CNN."

[5] Common understands that critics consider "The Corner" to be a return from his Electric Circus style.