Unsung
Unsung is an hour-long music documentary program that premiered on TV One on November 27, 2008. It celebrates the lives and careers of artists or groups sharing their triumphs, their tribulations, and their truth. It uncovers the stories behind well-known R&B, gospel, 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. 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.
Seasons
Episodes
Documenting the rise and career of the R&B group Rose Royce. Interviews with Kenny Copeland, Gwen Dickey, Lequeint "Duke" Jobe, and Joe Harris (of The Undisputed Truth)
Documenting the rise and short-lived career of Disco recording artist Sylvester. Interviews with Joshua Gamson, Anita Pointer (of The Pointer Sisters), Walter Hawkins, Martha Wash, Jeanie Tracy, Dyana Williams, and Narada Michael Walden.
Features full-length performances from the artists featured on the series. Performances of Teena Marie w/ Rick James ("Sucka For Your Love"), Bootsy Collins ("Ain't It Funky Now"), Klymaxx ("Meeting In the Ladies Room"), Rose Royce ("Car Wash"), Debarge ("I Like It"), Minnie Riperton ("Lovin' You"), and Sylvester ("Dance").
Documenting the rise and career of R&B vocalist Stacy Lattisaw. Interviews with Stacy Lattisaw, Johnny Gill (of New Edition), and Narada Michael Walden.
Documenting the rise and tribulation of Funk band The Bar-Kays. Interviews with Ben Cauley, David Porter, James Alexander, Al Bell, Jazze Pha, and Steven Ivory. This episode shows news footage from the plane crash that took the lives of singer Otis Redding and many of the original members, as well as footage of the Bar-Kays performing at Wattstax.
Documenting the rise and turbulent career of R&B vocalist Teddy Pendergrass. Interviews with Tyrese Gibson, Dyana Williams, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff. Teddy Pendergrass was previously featured on an episode of VH1's Behind the Music in 1997.
Documenting the rise and short-lived career of Motown vocalist Tammi Terrell. Interviews with Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Otis Williams (of The Temptations), Mary Wilson, Gene Chandler, Vance Wilson, Weldon Arthur McDougal III, Jerry Blavat, Elaine Jesmer, Harry Weinger, and Dyana Williams.
Documenting the rise and turbulent careers of R&B group Heatwave. Interviews with Keith Wilder, Ernest "Bilbo" Berger, Mario Mantese, Billy Jones, Keith Harrison, Byron Byrd, Roy Carter, Derek Bramble (of Heatwave), Dyana Williams, and Dr. Scot Brown.
Documenting the rise and turbulent careers of Reggae band Musical Youth. Interviews with Dennis Seaton, Michael Grant, Kelvin Grant (of Musical Youth), Dave Morgan, Pete Price, and Don Letts.
Documenting the rise and career of Funk superstar George Clinton. Interviews with George Clinton, Grady Thomas, Rickey Vincent, Bootsy Collins, Michael Hampton, Maceo Parker, Hank Shocklee, Robert 'Peanut' Johnson, Amuka/ Sheila Brody, and DeWayne McKnight (as Blackbyrd McNight). George Clinton was previously featured on an episode of VH1's Legends in 1999.
Documenting the rise and careers of pioneering rap group The Fat Boys. Interviews with Prince Markie Dee, Damon Wimbley (of The Fat Boys), Papa Keith, Chuck Creekmur, Rayzor, Kurtis Blow, Charles Stettler, Biz Markie, Hank Shocklee, J. Cole, and Cory Rooney. This was the first Unsung about a Hip Hop artist or group.
Documenting the rise and turbulent career of R&B vocalist Angela Winbush. Interviews with Angela Winbush, Lalah Hathaway, Avant, Tom Joyner, and A. Scott Galloway.
Documenting the rise and turbulent career of R&B/ Jazz vocalist Miki Howard. Interviews with Miki Howard, Augie Johnson (of Side Effect), John Nettlesbey, LeMel Humes, Robi Reed, and Val Young.
Documenting the rise and turbulent careers of legendary R&B group The O'Jays. Interviews with Eddie Levert, Bobby Massey, Sammy Strain (also of Little Anthony and the Imperials) (of The O'Jays), Marc Gordon (of LeVert), and Tom Joyner.
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