Ep 1. Minnie Riperton

Minnie Riperton, an American singer-songwriter, is the focus of episode 1 of UnSung season 2. This episode chronicles her life and career, from her childhood in Chicago, her rise to fame as a member of the girl group The Gems, to her solo career and eventual battle with cancer.

The episode starts by examining Riperton’s humble beginnings in the city of Chicago. Born in 1947, she grew up in a musical family and was encouraged by her parents to pursue her passion for singing. As a child, she learned to play the piano, and by the time she was a teenager, she was performing with local bands and groups.

After leaving high school, Riperton joined a girl group called The Gems. The group achieved moderate success, but after a few years, Riperton decided to strike out on her own. She signed with the Chess Records subsidiary, Cadet Records, and released her first solo album in 1970. The album wasn't commercially successful, but it received critical acclaim and established Riperton as an artist to watch.

Riperton's career took off when she signed with Epic Records in 1973. Her album "Perfect Angel" was a commercial success and included her most famous song, "Lovin' You." The song was a chart-topper, and its unique use of her high-pitched voice to represent the sound of a bird became Riperton's signature. The song's success propelled Riperton into the spotlight, and she became a sought-after performer.

The episode delves into the impact of "Lovin' You." It explores how the song's success changed Riperton's life and how the pressure to repeat that success led to tension between her and her record label. Despite her commercial success, Riperton struggled to find her footing in the music industry, and some of her later albums did not sell as well.

The documentary also examines Riperton's personal life, including her marriage to songwriter Richard Rudolph and their two children, including actress Maya Rudolph. The couple's relationship was complicated, and the documentary explores how their marriage affected Riperton's career.

The latter part of the documentary focuses on Riperton's battle with cancer. In 1976, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite undergoing a mastectomy, the cancer returned and eventually spread to her brain. Riperton continued to perform even as her health declined, and her final performance on "The Midnight Special" is one of the most emotional moments of the episode.

The episode concludes by examining Riperton's legacy. Her unique voice and contributions to music are celebrated, while the struggles she faced as a black woman in the music industry are also explored. Her influence can be heard in the work of artists such as Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Ariana Grande.

Overall, the Minnie Riperton episode of UnSung is a moving tribute to an artist who achieved great success despite facing numerous obstacles throughout her life. The episode balances Riperton's personal and professional life, showing how one informed the other, and ultimately explores the legacy she left behind.