UnSung

Watch UnSung

  • TV-PG
  • 2008
  • 18 Seasons
  • 9.0  (365)

This docuseries takes a close look at the careers of R&B pioneers, many of whom, despite being the inspiration for many pop stars, are virtually unknown to mainstream audiences. Each episode traces the career path of an individual artist or group. Each episode usually begins with an artist's upbringing and family, painting a picture of the issues driving them in their music career. Themes of "escaping the hard life of the streets" and "experiencing physical abuse", as well as "signs of musical genius", can be found in many of the lives of Unsung's subjects. Those interviewed in this segment of the show typically are relatives and friends, although some celebrities may be interviewed depending on their relation to the artist. The story then progresses into the trials and triumphs of the artist's early days in the music business, as the artist chases their "big break" which propels them into the limelight on the way to stardom. Fellow artists, music producers, and managers of that time pepper this section of the show with anecdotes of the artist's musical prowess and potential, and possible hints to any problems or issues the artists may have faced in their personal life or in the music business.

UnSung
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Seasons
Solar Records
17. Solar Records
November 6, 2022
S.O.L.A.R. Records and its owner Dick Griffey helped shape the sound of 70s R&B. In this episode, friends, family and fellow artists celebrate the legacy of a label that came to define what SOLAR stood for: the ‘Sound Of Los Angeles Records’.
Norman Conners
16. Norman Conners
October 30, 2022
Summary is not available.
Warryn Campbell
15. Warryn Campbell
October 23, 2022
Summary is not available.
Jean Carn
14. Jean Carn
October 16, 2022
Summary is not available.
Reggae Revolutions
13. Reggae Revolutions
October 9, 2022
Through the '60s and '70s, songwriters, including Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, and Bob Marley, put Jamaican music on the map; this episode showcases several classic songs while telling the stories of artists who put their lives on the line.
Women Take the Mic
12. Women Take the Mic
October 2, 2022
Hip-hop was a man's world until women took what was theirs; with artists like Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte and Salt N Pepa leading the way, female emcees helped set a course for hip-hop that resonates to this day.
Tony Terry
11. Tony Terry
September 25, 2022
Summary is not available.
The Decades 2000's
10. The Decades 2000's
April 24, 2022
The 2000s usher in not just a decade but a millennium, and the excitement and sense of opportunity that greet their arrival are reflected in the music and an historic election in the years that follow.
The Decades 90's
9. The Decades 90's
April 17, 2022
The '90s is a decade of triumph and turbulence, as R&B and hip-hop go well beyond crossover to dominate the charts and define mainstream American music, while artists find ways to impact society in ways both serious and playful.
Das EFX
8. Das EFX
April 10, 2022
Summary is not available.
P.M. Dawn
7. P.M. Dawn
April 3, 2022
P.M. Dawn topped the charts in the early '90s with hits "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" and "I'd Die Without You," which explored the boundaries of hip-hop; surviving member Eternal shares on the group's success and honors the life of brother Prince Be.
Pete Rock
6. Pete Rock
March 27, 2022
Pete Rock is the first producer to be honored on "Unsung Presents: The Hitmakers"; the stories behind some of his top productions, including "T.R.O.Y.," with CL Smooth, Run-DMC's "Down with the King," "The World Is Yours" by Nas, and others.
Thelma Houston
5. Thelma Houston
March 20, 2022
Thelma Houston has been performing and entertaining fans for over 50 years with her soulful and powerful voice; Thelma comes together with friends and family to tell the story of her incredible journey.
Monie Love
4. Monie Love
March 13, 2022
Monie Love made her own lane as a rap star in the late '80s and early '90s with a unique style and socially-conscious lyrics; Monie tells her amazing story, which started as a dream and ended up changing the world of hip-hop.
Soul For Real
3. Soul For Real
March 6, 2022
Unsung celebrates the lives and careers of artists or groups sharing their triumphs, their tribulations, and their truths.
The Decades 80's
2. The Decades 80's
February 27, 2022
The '80s were a decade of innovation and breakthroughs -- musically, politically and culturally -- by any means necessary, as the grittier sounds of early hip-hop were rising from the streets.
The Decades 70's
1. The Decades 70's
February 27, 2022
The 1970s arrived on waves of social unrest, with songs that spoke to both protest and affirmation; as the music industry flourished, the '70s grew into a golden age for R&B, bringing social consciousness to the dance floor.
Description

This docuseries takes a close look at the careers of R&B pioneers, many of whom, despite being the inspiration for many pop stars, are virtually unknown to mainstream audiences. Each episode traces the career path of an individual artist or group. Each episode usually begins with an artist's upbringing and family, painting a picture of the issues driving them in their music career. Themes of "escaping the hard life of the streets" and "experiencing physical abuse", as well as "signs of musical genius", can be found in many of the lives of Unsung's subjects. Those interviewed in this segment of the show typically are relatives and friends, although some celebrities may be interviewed depending on their relation to the artist.

The story then progresses into the trials and triumphs of the artist's early days in the music business, as the artist chases their "big break" which propels them into the limelight on the way to stardom. Fellow artists, music producers, and managers of that time pepper this section of the show with anecdotes of the artist's musical prowess and potential, and possible hints to any problems or issues the artists may have faced in their personal life or in the music business.

UnSung is a series that is currently running and has 18 seasons (188 episodes). The series first aired on November 27, 2008.

Where to Watch UnSung

UnSung is available for streaming on the TV One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch UnSung on demand at Philo and Tubi TV.

  • Premiere Date
    November 27, 2008
  • IMDB Rating
    9.0  (365)