[1] The video proceeds strongly from new wave and R&B culture of the mid-1980s to appeal to children to respect adults, avoid peer pressure, and build self-confidence.
It features a showcase of emerging talent, including Ice-T, New Edition, Fergie (credited as "Stacy Ferguson"), Kelly Jo Minter, Martika, Janice Kawaye, Tammy Townsend, Bumper Robinson, Shanice and Valerie Landsburg.
The video was accompanied by a soundtrack album released by MCA Records and a companion book published by St. Martin's Press.
Mr. T returned to motivational roles for the 2006 reality television series I Pity the Fool.
Be Somebody consists of many segments, with each delineated by a title caption at the bottom of the screen.