Unsung is an hour-long music documentary program that airs on TV One which premiered on November 27, 2008. It uncovers the stories behind well-known R&B and hip-hop music artists, bands, or groups which were ranked on the Billboard music charts with a string of hits, only to have their career derailed by a major crisis that caused them to be essentially unappreciated by later generations of contemporary R&B and soul music listeners. The series is produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions.
Reception After four seasons, Unsung won an NAACP Image Award in the "Outstanding Information Series or Special" category. Others nominated in this category for 2011 were Anderson Cooper 360° and Washington Watch with Roland Martin. And as of 2018, the series has garnered six NAACP Image Awards.
Recording artist Stephanie Mills has stated she is not a fan of the show. She admits that she has been approached by producers of the series to either be a commentator or the star of an episode, but she denied their requests. She does not believe she is "unsung".
Unsung Hollywood In October 2013, TV One announced Unsung would receive a spin-off titled Unsung Hollywood, to premiere on February 26, 2014. Unsung Hollywood focuses on actors and comedians, as well as prominent films and TV shows influential in the African American community. The second season of Unsung Hollywood premiered on February 11, 2015. Subjects of Unsung Hollywood have included episodes on: Pam Grier, Robin Harris, What's Happening!!, Dick Gregory, Redd Foxx, A Different World, Sheryl Underwood, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Roundtree, Charlie Murphy, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Meagan Good, Cooley High, Hill Harper, Jasmine Guy, and many others.
Unsung films In October 2015, TV One announced another spin-off under the Unsung franchise. Unsung Films will feature made-for-TV movies/biographical films. Miki Howard – Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story premiered on the network on June 12, 2016. Switch/Bobby DeBarge – The Bobby DeBarge Story premiered on June 29, 2019.
List of artists, bands and groups profiled on Unsung
702 Adina Howard After 7 Al B. Sure Al Jarreau Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle Avant Angela Bofill Angela Winbush Angie Stone Atlantic Starr Arrested Development Bar-Kays, The Betty Wright Big Daddy Kane Billy Paul Billy Preston Blaque Blue Magic Bobby Bland Bobby Caldwell Bobby V Bobby Womack Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Bootsy Collins Boys, The Brand Nubian Candi Staton (as part of The Story of Disco) Case CeCe Peniston Chanté Moore Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley Chic Chi-Lites, The Chingy Christopher Williams Chuck Brown Chuckii Booker Clark Sisters, The Con Funk Shun Crystal Waters Das EFX David Ruffin (formerly of The Temptations) Dave Hollister DeBarge Deborah Cox Delfonics, The Deniece Williams Digable Planets DJ Quik Dramatics, The Donald Lawrence Donell Jones Donna Summer (as part of The Story of Disco) Donny Hathaway Dru Hill E-40 Eddie Kendricks (formerly of The Temptations) EPMD Emotions, The Evelyn Champagne King Fat Boys, The Fat Joe Florence Ballard (formerly of The Supremes) Force MDs Freddie Jackson Full Force Gerald Levert George Clinton Geto Boys Gil Scott-Heron Glenn Jones Goodie Mob H-Town Heatwave Heavy D and The Boyz Hezekiah Walker Howard Hewett Hi-Five Ike Turner Ice-T Isaac Hayes Jagged Edge James Brown Jean Carn Jennifer Holliday Jets, The Johnny Gill Johnnie Taylor Jon B Jones Girls, The Kashif KC and the Sunshine Band Keith Washington Kelly Price Kenny Lattimore Kid N' Play Klymaxx Kool Moe Dee Kurupt Kwame Holland Lakeside Leela James Lenny Williams Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam Lloyd Lost Boyz Lou Rawls Lyfe Jennings Manhattans, The Martha Wash Marvelettes, The Marvin Sapp Mary Wells Melba Moore Meli'sa Morgan Michel'le Midnight Star Mint Condition Miki Howard Millie Jackson Minnie Riperton Monie Love Monifah Montell Jordan Morris Day Mtume Musical Youth Mystikal Nate Dogg Naturi Naughton Next Norman Connors O'Jays, The Ohio Players, The Otis Redding Patrice Rushen Peaches & Herb Pete Rock Phyllis Hyman P.M. Dawn Ray Parker Jr. Rick James Rose Royce Roxanne Shante Shalamar Shannon Sheila E. Shirley Caesar Shirley Murdock Silk Skyy Sly & the Family Stone Soul for Real Special Ed Spinners, The Sugarhill Gang Stacy Lattisaw Stetsasonic Switch SWV Syleena Johnson Sylvers, The Sylvester Tammi Terrell Tasha Cobbs A Taste of Honey (as part of The Story of Disco) Teddy Pendergrass Teena Marie Thelma Houston Tony Terry Too Short Trick Daddy Troop Vesta Williams Warryn Campbell Whispers, The Whodini Will Downing Wilson Pickett Wyclef Jean Xscape Yarbrough and Peoples Yo-Yo Zapp (featured lead singer Roger Troutman)
References
External links