Proud to Be Black

Written and Performed by RUN DMC

Adapted by Hodari Davis for YGB


We are Young, Gifted, and Black in fact,

I am Proud to be Black, let me say (it again )

We are Young, Gifted, and Black in fact,

I am Proud to be Black, let me say


I’m proud to be Black yall,

And that’s a fact yall,

And if you’re tryna take what’s mine

I’ll take it back yall,

It’s like that yall,

I’m getting brave yall,

I’d rather die than ever be a Slave yall


I’m proud to be Black yall

And that’s a fact yall,

And if you’re calling me a nigga, 

Take it back yall,

I’m better than that yall,

I can I see yall,

I’d rather die than not be free

So check it


Say it Loud

I’m Black and I’m Proud

Say it Loud

I’m Black and I’m Proud


I gotta tell you something that you should know,

It’s not a mystery, it’s history

Here’s how it go,

Now Harriet Tubman was born a Slave

She was a tiny Black woman when she was raised

She was livin’ to be given

There’s a lot she gave

She risked her life,

So we wouldn’t be Slaves


There was a man an inventor who invented so well

He invented a fortune for a man named Bell,

George Washington Carver made the peanut great

Showed any man with a mind, can create

You read about Malcolm X in the history text

Jesse Owens broke records, Ali broke necks

What’s wrong with you man?

How could you be so dumb?

Like Dr. King said,

We shall overcome


We are Young, Gifted, and Black in fact,

I am Proud to be Black, let me say (it again )

We are Young, Gifted, and Black in fact,

I am Proud to be Black, let me say (it again )


I’m proud to be Black yall,

And that’s a fact yall,

And if you’re tryna take what’s mine

I’ll take it back yall,

It’s like that yall,

I’m getting brave yall,

I’d rather die than ever be a Slave yall



I’m proud to be Black yall

And that’s a fact yall,

And if you’re calling me a nigga, 

Take it back yall,

I’m better than that yall,

I can I see yall,

I’d rather die than not be free

So check it



Say it Loud

I’m Black and I’m Proud





Performance

YGB performing 123 and Proud to Be Black Live for KRS One in 2012

 

Songs

These are the songs that inspired the lyrics, cadence and presentation above. Neither of these songs are reproduced in their entirety, but excerpts have been taken to inspire 123 YGB and Proud to be Black.

"Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a funk song performed by James Brown, and written with his bandleader Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis in 1968. It was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the R&B singles chart for six weeks, and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.[1][2] Both parts of the single were later included on James Brown's 1968 album A Soulful Christmas and on his 1969 album sharing the title of the song. The song became an unofficial anthem of the Black Power movement.

Music Video with closed captioned lyrics of the James Brown classic “Say it Loud”.

What do you notice about the lyrics of the song?

What does it mean to you to be Black and proud?

Incredible Live performance of Proud To Be Black by RunDMC on Soul Train.

How is this song similar to James Brown’s “Say it Loud”?

Who is RunDMC and why are they important to Black History?

 

History

Below are videos you can share about elements within the song including short videos that explain some history of the people mentioned in the song. The Malcolm X video is the only one longer than 8 minutes.

 

Short Animated Biography of the Greatest Hero in the history of African American people, Harriet “Ariminta Ross “ Tubman

The History of the Underground Railroad and the role and work of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, William Still and others.

 

questions:

Can You name 5 Facts about Harriet Tubman?

Why is she such an important example of courage for Black people?

What was the Underground Railroad?

What did it mean to be a conductor of people to freedom?

 

The Life and Times of George Washington Carver, one of the greatest scientists in the history of African American people, and in the history of the United States. He was known for much more than just the peanut..

 

Questions:

Name 10 Facts about George Washington Carver.

Why is George Washington Carver so important to African American History?

 

This Malcolm X interview in Berkeley given in 1963 is a reminder that Malcolm spoke his truths up the road from our rehearsals. It also shares some of the early philosophies of Malcolm, Elijah Muhammed and the Nation of Islam.

 

Questions:

Name one thing Malcolm X says he believed about Black people.

*Have a conversation with your parents about Malcolm X. Why is he important to Black History?

 
 

Questions:

Why do you think what Jesse Owens accomplished was so important for Black people?

How did Jesse Owens represent the spirit and intention of Young Gifted and Black?

 

Brief History of Muhammed Ali

 

questions:

Why is Muhammad Ali thought to be the greatest athlete ever?

What are some of the ways Muhammad Ali made Black History?

How is Muhammad Ali an example for YGB?

 

Watch this to the end to hear how Muhammed Ali became so legendary in the minds and hearts of Black people. In this video he embodies the spirit of YGB.

 

questions:

Why was this moment so powerful for Black people in the United States and around the world?

How do you think people felt when they a Black man say he was “the greatest”, “pretty”, and “a Bad Man”?

 
 

questions:

Why did Dr. King say it was important to be Black and Proud?

What does Maya Angelou say about courage?

 

questions:

James Baldwin was one of the greatest thinkers and writers in Black History. He had powerful things to say about the use of the word “nigger”. What do you understand about his ideas and why do you think YGB says the word in our song? What do you think we teaching when we are using the word?