U Will Know

Album: Hed Kandi: Back to Love 03.04 (1994)
Charted: 28
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Black Men United was a supergroup of R&B artists. The people involved included D'Angelo, Brian McKnight, R. Kelly, Boyz II Men, El DeBarge and a very young Usher. This was their sole release, which featured on the soundtrack of the Forest Whitaker movie Jason's Lyric.
  • The tune was written by a young D'Angelo along with his brother Luther. "That song really is what got me my deal [with EMI]," he revealed during a lecture, titled 'A Conversation with D'Angelo,' at Brooklyn Museum on May 21, 2014. "It was on my first demo. Jocelyn [Cooper, former president of Midnight Music] shopped it. I think that was the one. It was the one."

    "It was my first demo, and I had this whole process with signing [with a record label]," he continued. "Just the direction I was going in was different, and so it was a perfect fit. And Jocelyn, being the great publisher that she his, placed it for the movie. And it was like wow. The only thing I had done [at that point] was this song called 'Overjoyed' for the Harlem Boys Choir. So here I am with all my heroes." (Source of quote The Boombox)

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousWho played the piano on the Black Men United You Will Know Song?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.