Motown's artists were trained to perform in a way that was appealing to white audiences

• 17 days ago
• Documentaries
• Duration 1:38

The success of Motown Records was based on more than hit songs: founder Berry Gordy made sure that performers — like The Supremes — were appealing not just to Black people, but to a broader white audience. "We just had people there for every facet of showbusiness...to teach us how to be entertainers," said Smokey Robinson in Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music. Watch it on CBC Gem on Sept. 21.