Next Episode of Unsung is
Season 17 / Episode 16 and airs on 29 April 2024 01:00
Unsung is a documentary series that takes a look at some of the top R&B and soul artists of the last several decades, many of whom are not household names. Narrated by actor Gary Anthony Williams, the NAACP Image Award-winning program features interviews with people who know the musicians well enough to tell the ups and downs of their careers. Episodes usually start with the story of an artist's upbringing before moving into the trials and tribulations faced as the subject searched for the big break early in his or her music career. The pinnacle of the performer's career plays out next, before a turning point that led to each one's career beginning a downward trend.
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.
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.
Soul for Real bursts onto the R&B scene in the mid-'90s with a soulful sound that had a youthful twist; exploring Soul for Real's journey, from friends, family, and the four brothers who lived it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Das EFX gain popularity in the early '90s for their animated flow that birthed a new sound in hip-hop called the iggity flow; with No. 1 hits "They Want EFX" and "Mic Checka," Das EFX secure platinum success and a career that spans three decades.
The 90s was a decade of triumph and turbulence, as R&B and hip hop went well beyond crossover to dominate the charts and define mainstream American music, while artists found ways to impact society in ways both serious and playful.
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.
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