The Supremes
The Supremes
The Festivals
The Festivals
The Festivals
Billy Proctor
Billy Proctor
Billy Proctor
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jerry Ross
Jerry Ross
The Four Tops
The Four Tops
Odyssey (MoWest)
Odyssey (MoWest)
Frankie Valli
The Four Seasons
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Michelle Aller
Michelle Aller
Michelle Aller
The Four Seasons
Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr
Bob Babbitt
Bob Babbitt
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
The Supremes
The Supremes
The Naturals (Motown)
The Naturals (Motown)
The Naturals (Motown)
Syreeta
Syreeta
The Temptations
The Temptations
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
Rare Earth
Rare Earth
Valerie Simpson
Valerie Simpson
Valerie Simpson
Thelma Houston
Thelma Houston
The Undisputed Truth
The Undisputed Truth
The Undisputed Truth
The Undisputed Truth
Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore
The Crusaders
The Crusaders
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
The Sisters Love
The Sisters Love
Repairs
Repairs
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Celebration (Motown)
Celebration (Motown)
G.C. Cameron
G.C. Cameron & Willie Hutch
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Bobby Darin
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Jay and The Techniques
Jay and The Techniques
Martin & Finley
Martin & Finley
The Jerry Ross Symposium
The Jerry Ross Symposium
The Courtships
The Courtships
Rare Earth
Rare Earth
Wolfe (Motown)
Wolfe (Motown)
Puzzle (Motown)
Puzzle (Motown)
Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Gladys Knight & The Pips
[Intro]
I wanna tell you about my little brother
His eyes have never seen the light of day
He's never seen the world that we all know
'Cause my little brother was born that way
He asked me a question not long ago
That kinda set me back
He said, "Tell me brother, tell me please
Tell me, what is black?"
[Verse 1]
I told him, "Black is the good smell of our mama's cooking
Black is you, boy, and you're so good looking
You don't have to see it, you can feel it deep inside (Deep inside)
It's burning in your veins, filling you with pride"
[Chorus]
The blacker the brown, the richer the earth
The blacker the pearl, the more that it's worth
The blacker the brown, the the richer the earth
I said the blacker the pearl
What is black?
(What is black?)
[Verse 2]
"Black is your birthright, a gift you've been given
Cherish it, brother, as long as you are living
It's the cries of a baby, it's our tears and misery (Misery)
It's names like "King" and heavens, he died for you and me"
[Chorus]
The blacker the brown, the richer the earth
The blacker the pearl, the more that it's worth
The blacker the brown, the richer the earth
I said the blacker the pearl
[Verse 3]
"God really loves you 'cause in his image, you were made
Then he painted you black, and that's it baby, sing"
[Chorus]
The blacker the brown, the richer the earth
The blacker the pearl, the more that it's worth
The blacker the brown, the richer the earth
I said the blacker the pearl
[Outro]
"Pick up your head, your head little brother
You can feel it, it's in the air, everywhere
So praise to the sun
Let no man keep you down
Your blackness is a blessing, wear it like a crown
Your head, little brother, don't let no one take it from you"
What Is Black (Stereo Promo Version) was written by Gene Allan & Gary Knight.
What Is Black (Stereo Promo Version) was produced by Billy Proctor.