Jay-Z 'Open Letter' Remix: Common Joins Pitbull in Releasing Remix of Controversial Song, 'Open Letter Part II', Raps About Cuba, Kevin Ware, Fox News, LISTEN [AUDIO]

By Scott Taylor, Mstarz reporter | Apr 16, 2013 12:37 PM EDT

Jazy-Z and Beyonce caused quite the stir after taking a wedding anniversary trip to Cuba. After Jay-Z received criticism from some, including Florida senator Marco Rubio who questioned President Obama and the White House over the Treasury Department's decision to allow Jay-Z and Beyonce make the trip to Cuba. In response, Jay-Z crafted a song, with some carefully worded lyrics responding to the criticism. The song, titled "Open Letter" has since been remixed by Pitbull and now Common. The 41-year-old raper Common added his own verse in "Open Letter Part II."

In the latest remix, Common raps about a trip he made to Cuba in 1997 to meet Assata Shakur. For those who don't know, Shakur was a former Black Panther who escaped to Cuba after being convicted of the death of a New Jersey police officer. Common raps, "My man went to Cuba / Caught in the political triangle, Bermuda / The same way they said she was the shooter / Assata Shakur / They tried to execute her / I went to Cuba to see her / We should free her like Mumia."

Common also uses the new track as a chance to bring up Fox News' attack on him after his invite to a White House poetry event back in 2011. Common raps, "Y'all seen how Fox News tried to do me / They say I'm too black, like it's light out / Might not get invited back to the White House / Still with the Obamas I ride / I'll meet the President on the South Side."

Common also provides another clever line using recently injured Louisville guard Kevin Ware. Common says, "Media saying s- that ain't there / But we fall down and get back up, Kevin Ware."

You can listen to Common's remix below. What do you think of "Open Letter Part II?"

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