Ode to Brown-Skinned Women, Do Musicians Show Them Love?

Black History Month is coming to a close, and although we pump our fists and are proud of our heritage sometimes it's disappointing to hear about the color complexities going on in the African-American community. In 2010, we still hear people say things like "good hair" and "cute to be so dark skinned." Although the film "School Daze" released in 1988, it's strange how much the color controversy within the film is still so relevant even after James Brown sang "Say it loud! I'm black and I'm proud."

Rap group Field Mob rhymed about issues they endured growing up being dark skinned in their song "Blacker the Berry" featuring a chorus with rapper Tupac Shakur. Hip hop lyricist Wale rhymed on "Shades" about light skin versus dark skin.

However, we're progressing slowly but surely and celebrating not just the lighter shades but the darker shades in our black American ancestry. The music industry would make you believe that the only person who appreciates brown skin is India Arie. And as much as I love to hear her sing about wanting a Hershey's Kiss for her man's licorice, there are black men who dig brown-skinned women, too. Rappers UGK shouted out chocolate women in the collabo song "Real Women." Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes laid his love for black women down in his poem "Harlem Sweeties." And they've got a bunch of co-signers.

In honor of Black History Month and the upcoming Women's History Month, check out snippets of 10 great songs rapping, singing and celebrating that beautiful brown complexion of black women.

#1 Eric Benet "Chocolate Legs"

So when I come home tonight, You'll make everything all right, When you come wrap them chocolate legs around me...Your chocolate skin against mine, baby, Is all I need to help revive me

#2 Chris Brown feat. Sean Paul "Brown Skin Girl"

Hey you girl, You're my pretty brown thing, Call you my little brown skin...You have everything I want, My little chocolate delight

#3 and #4 Black Star (Talib Kweli and Mos Def) "Brown Skin Lady"

(Talib) Your skin's the inspiration for cocoa butter, You provoke a brother, We should get to know each other

(Mos Def) I tighten up my game as I approach you, Yo, check her, She the nectar the bees get close to

#5 The Whispers "Chocolate Girl"

Chocolate girl, Come and play in my ice cream...Don't you wish we would, Never grow old and gray, Just be chocolate stars, Make little chocolate bars, And slowly melt away

#6 Kool Moe Dee "Candy"

You got to be a queen from one of the tribes, Bubbly brown sugar, sexy chocolate, taste of honey, When I see you, I get a sweet tooth

#7 Montell Jordan "I Can Do That"

Caramel eyes, Chocolate thighs, Your honey brown complexion makes my nature rise

#8 Richie Spice "Brown Skin"

Brown skin, Just want to wrap you, Want to lock you in my arms, And aye, brown skin

#9 Coolio "For My Sistas"

Sweet black sexy child, Ooh, I like your style, First mother on the planet...So when it's time to put it down I won't be running, Ya got a dear little something like Harriet Tubman

#10 Goodie Mob "Beautiful Skin"

Just promise me you'll find a new man, That's about some business...I wanted to be more than friends, Beautiful black skin (black skin)