This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Mm mmm ooh girl
He is my king (She is my woman)
Yes he's my father, yes he's my son
I can talk to him cuz he understands
Everything I go through and everything I am
He's my support system, I can't live without him
The best thing since sliced bread
Is his kiss, his hugs, his lips, his touch
And I just want the whole world to know
About my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Cuz you're my black brotha, strong brotha
And there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
You're my
He's misunderstood, some say that
He's up to no good around the neighborhood
Well, for your information
Alot of my brotha's got education
Now check it
You got your Wall Street brotha
Your blue collar brotha
Your down-for-whatever-chillin'-on-the-corner brotha
Your talented brotha, and to everyone of ya'll behind bars
You know that Angie loves ya, my my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
You mean so much to me, you give me what I need
I'm so proud of you
I love you for staying strong, you got it goin' on
I'm so proud of you
Goin' through thick and thin, brothas you gonna win
I'm so proud of you
Whenever you're facin' doubt, brotha's gon' work it out
I'm so proud of you
I got unshakable faith in ya
Cuz you're my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Cuz you're my (ooo eee ooo eeee oooo)
For everyone of ya'll, you know that Angie loves ya
Everyone of ya'll (oooooooooo ooo oooo oooo ooo)
For everyone of ya'll, you know that Angie loves ya
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Mm mmm ooh girl
He is my king (She is my woman)
Yes he's my father, yes he's my son
I can talk to him cuz he understands
Everything I go through and everything I am
He's my support system, I can't live without him
The best thing since sliced bread
Is his kiss, his hugs, his lips, his touch
And I just want the whole world to know
About my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Cuz you're my black brotha, strong brotha
And there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
You're my
He's misunderstood, some say that
He's up to no good around the neighborhood
Well, for your information
Alot of my brotha's got education
Now check it
You got your Wall Street brotha
Your blue collar brotha
Your down-for-whatever-chillin'-on-the-corner brotha
Your talented brotha, and to everyone of ya'll behind bars
You know that Angie loves ya, my my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
You mean so much to me, you give me what I need
I'm so proud of you
I love you for staying strong, you got it goin' on
I'm so proud of you
Goin' through thick and thin, brothas you gonna win
I'm so proud of you
Whenever you're facin' doubt, brotha's gon' work it out
I'm so proud of you
I got unshakable faith in ya
Cuz you're my
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Black brotha, I love ya
And I'll never try to hurt ya
I want you to know that
I'm here for you, forever true
Cuz you're my (ooo eee ooo eeee oooo)
For everyone of ya'll, you know that Angie loves ya
Everyone of ya'll (oooooooooo ooo oooo oooo ooo)
For everyone of ya'll, you know that Angie loves ya
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Brotha Lyrics as written by Angie Stone Raphael Saadiq
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.