How Angie Stone’s Powerful Message Inspired Millions Of Black Men

angie stone looking up
Via Flickr
Adé Hennis
March 5, 2025

On October 16, 2001, Angie Stone dropped Mahogany Soul, a classic R&B album. Among its gems was “Brotha,” a timeless anthem that couldn’t have come at a better time.

In 2001, more than 43% of incarcerated Americans serving sentences of more than a year were Black men. And the likelihood of a Black man serving prison time in his lifetime was 1 in 3, compared to 1 in 17 for all men. So Stone decided it was time to prove that our brothas were more than statistics.

Stone was disgusted by the corrupt justice system. She was also tired of Black men being degraded to “scrubs” in society. Whether brothas were chillin on the corner, graduating from college, holding blue-collar jobs, or behind bars, the legendary artist centered all Black men in her music video.

The video paid homage to men like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Muhammed Ali. In addition to them, Stone featured everyday brothas, because at the end of the day, they are kings.

Angie Stone’s hit song became an anthem for leaders and future kings. When love touches the soul, it can uplift in countless ways. How do her songs inspire you to uplift others?

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