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People can't stop talking about the track released last week that slams the computer enhanced hip-hop vocals currently dominating the charts. We've all been complaining, saying that the genre full of copy cat emcees is lacking originality. Auto-Tune forerunner T-Pain even dissed unnamed and unauthorized adopters of his style on last year's comedic "Karaoke."

Jay-Z rhymes that people are "T-Pain'ing" too much and adds that he has had enough of hip-hop's ringtone obsessed era.

Apparently, T-Pain doesn't take offense to Jigga's brash criticism that portrays Auto-Tune as the downfall of hip-hop. Jay-Z received an unannounced visit from Pain during his own surprise visit to Hot 97's Summer Jam concert Sunday in New York. In the midst of performing his instant classic, Pain walked onto the stage and stood alongside Jay as he rapped.

While I'm glad to know T-Pain's reaction, I'm way more interested in Common's opinion about the song.

"Death Of Auto-Tune" feels a lot in spirit like Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." In 1994, Common wasn't infuriated with Teddy Riley and his all encompassing synthesized New Jack movement, but he did have a strong opinion about gangsta rap and the influence it was having on the art form.

Much like Jay-Z blames Auto-Tune for ruining hip-hop on "Death Of Auto-Tune," Common took the contributions from hardcore thug rhymes to task. Common cleverly wrote "I Used To Love H.E.R." as if he were referring to an ex-girlfriend, though h.e.r. was actually a metaphor for hip-hop. H.e.r. was an acronym for hip-hop in its essence is real.

In the song Common made sure to include the line "I wasn't salty she was with the boys from the hood," hoping to avoid any conflicts with West Coast artists like Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube, whose controversial sound had taken over mainstream rap. But Ice Cube, W.C., and Mack 10 under the Westside Connection moniker took offense and ignited a lyrical beef with Common just as the East Coast verses West Coast feud ensued.

So far, Jay-Z's backlash will be tame compared to what Common experienced. Twitter complaints from Jim Jones and Webstar haven't sparked too much talk.

I just wonder if Jay has cited Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." as an inspiration.

There's no way Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." was not a motivator for "Death Of Auto-Tune."

"I Used To Love H.E.R." and "Death Of Auto-Tune" were even both produced by Chicago beat maker No I.D.

You can't tell me that the "I Used To Love H.E.R." topic did not come up during the making of the track.

It's like Jay-Z had another Black Album "Moment Of Clarity."

I had to rewind it the first time I heard Jay rhyme it:

If skills sold, truth be told
I'd probably be lyrically, Talib Kweli
Truthfully, I want to rhyme like Common Sense
But I did five mil', I ain't been rhymin' like Common since

I guess we have Auto-Tune to thank.

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