Plot Synopsis

Each 60-minute episode of this music biography series highlights the career of one of the most influential -- yet, somehow forgotten -- R&B and soul music artists. Subjects include: The Debarge Family; Phyllis Hyman; Bootsy Collins; Teddy Pendergrass; George Clinton; The O'Jays; Deniece Williams; The Spinners; Vesta Williams; and other music acts whose lives reached an unexpected turning point, putting their careers on hold. Season 6, which premiered on TV One on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10pm ET, featured Isaac Hayes in the first episode, and then in subsequent episodes showcased EPMD, Midnight Star, Johnny Gill, and Lou Rawls. On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 9pm, TV One presented a special two-hour installment of UNSUNG that focused on disco, featuring new interviews from disco greats Anita Ward, Gloria Gaynor, Thelma Houston, Earl Young of The Trammps, Harry Wayne Casey of KC & the Sunshine Band, David Hodo and Victor Willis of The Village People, and Nile Rodgers of Chic, among many others.

UNSUNG returned for its seventh season on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One, with an episode about Heavy D & The Boyz. Later episodes in Season 7 highlighted careers of The Delfonics, Ce Ce Peniston, The Geto Boys, Lisa Lisa, and more.

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One, UNSUNG returned with the first of 10 new episodes, starting with a profile of Montell Jordan. Subsequent episodes featured: Hi Five; The Emotions; Martha Wash; Troop; Bone Thugs-N-Harmony; Wilson Pickett; The Chi-Lites; Peaches & Herb; and Rick James. On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT, TV One premiered the eighth season of UNSUNG. The season opener features the story of Rick James, followed by Peaches and Herb (Jan. 21), Angie Stone (Jan. 28) and Meli'sa Morgan (Feb. 4) in subsequent episodes of the new season.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One, UNSUNG returned with new episodes. This season, vewers can reflect on the lives of innovative, soul stirring singers of the '60s and '70s including Ike Turner, Otis Redding and the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, as well as return to hip-hop's golden age with Kid 'n Play, DJ Quik and Xscape. In a special episode, Unsung Revisited, viewers receive an update on artists, including Full Force, Zapp & Roger, Sylvester, and Miki Howard, who following their features on the series, have experienced profound changes to their lives and legacy.

After a month-and-a-half break, UNSUNG returned with new episodes on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One, exploring the lives of Al B. Sure!, Yarbrough and Peoples, Force MDs and Yo-Yo in the rest of the season. The mid-season premiere features the life and career of talented vocalist Al. B. Sure!. Known as the "New Jack Romeo," Sure's debonair style and sultry vocals stole hearts and paved his way to the top of the R&B charts. However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Ready to set the record straight, Sure guides Unsung through his remarkable life story and musical career.

UNSUNG returned with new episodes at 8pm ET/PT on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 on TV One, immediately following an eight-hour marathon (Noon-8pm) of encore episodes. These new episodes feature: rap's first mainstream group, The Sugarhill Gang (Feb. 10); Patrice Rushen (Feb. 17); Donell Jones (Feb. 24); and Johnny Taylor (Mar. 2).

A new season of UNSUNG premiered on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One, featuring Kwame, Kelly Price, Next, E-40, Howard Hewitt and Monifah. The season opener chronicles the life of seven-time Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Price, who overcame poverty, homelessness and teen pregnancy to become one of R&B's and Soul's most prolific voices. After a three-month break, UNSUNG returned with new episodes on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One. The fall premiere focused on Kurupt, a rapper's favorite rapper, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest rap lyricists ever. He became a household name recording with longtime friends Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Nate Dogg at the height of the Death Row Records era in the 1990s.

Season 10 of UNSUNG premiered on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT on TV One. The season opener features SWV, who mixed celestial gospel harmonies with street swagger, bringing an edgy sound to female R&B groups that helped define the '90s decade. But internal conflicts split the trio apart in just five short years, leaving wounds that linger to this day. Insights from family and friends are provided by Eddie George, Kelly Rowland, and Bell Biv Devoe. Subsequent episodes feature: Fat Joe (Jan 11); Jon B (Jan 18); Lenny Williams (Jan 25); Case (Feb 1); Dave Hollister (Feb 8); After 7 (Feb 15); and James Brown (Feb 22).

UNSUNG returned for its eleventh season on Sunday, July 9, 2017 from 9-11pm ET/PT, as TV One debuted back-to-back new episodes: Wyclef Jean (9pm): Wyclef Jean skyrockets to fame with his group, The Fugees, in the late '90s; hits like "We're Trying to Stay Alive" and "Gone Till November." Jagged Edge (10pm): The melodic harmonies of Jagged Edge dominate the early 2000s with back-to-back No. 1 hits and two double-platinum albums. Additionally, new episodes featuring Marvin Sapp (July 16), Switch (July 23), The Dramatics (July 30), Shanice (August 6), and Ice-T (August 13), airing in the show's new Sunday time slot of 10pm, highlight each performer's rise to stardom while providing a glimpse into the lesser-known challenges they endured behind the spotlight.

TV One premiered the twelfth season of UNSUNG on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, with a season opener featuring Silk. Silk took the R&B world by storm in the 1990s, with hits like Freak Me and Happy Days. But their success came with a cost, including management changes, the loss of their lead singer and a restraining order from a former manager. Subsequent episodes in Season 12 feature: The Boys (Feb 25), Trick Daddy (Mar 4), Blue Magic (Mar 11), Deborah Cox (Mar 18), Shirley Caesar (Mar 25), Avant (Apr 8), Brand Nubian (Apr 15), and Lost Boyz (Apr 22).

Season 13 of UNSUNG premiered on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One, kicking off with the story of the iconic musical group Mtume. James Mtume, and the group named after him, broke out in the '80s with the hit song "Juicy Fruit." The group combined jazz, funk and R&B into Top 10 hits like "You, Me and He" and "Breathless." But with the pressure to crossover, they struggled to stay on top and disbanded by the mid-'80s. The remainder of the season features stories from other influential musicians including hip-hop artists Special Ed and Digable Planets, songstresses Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Regina Belle, 702 and Michel'le, blues pioneer B.B. King, and R&B crooner Will Downing. UNSUNG delves into the lives of trailblazing music artists whose full stories and journeys have yet to be explored.

After an eight-month break, UNSUNG returned with new episodes on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One. This new episode chronicles how Lloyd became a hip hop heartthrob with hits like "Southside", "Get It Shawty" & "You". But his ties to the Murder Inc. record label nearly put an end to his career. Subsequent episodes focus on Adina Howard (Mar 10), The Jets (Mar 17), Shirley Murdock (Mar 24), Crystal Waters (Mar 31), Glenn Jones (Apr 7), Kenny Lattimore (Apr 14), and Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Apr 21).

A new season of UNSUNG premiered on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT on TV One, with a season opener focusing on Dru Hill. Four childhood friends from Baltimore -- Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and Woody -- took the music industry by storm in the 90s with a combination of old school vocal harmonies and effortless charisma. When their debut album produced four top charting singles -- "Tell Me," "In My Bed," "Never Make a Promise," and "Five steps" -- Dru Hill positioned themselves as a group destined for major success. Despite a bounty of top ten hits, the group was plagued by clashes with their record label and internal problems, including drug abuse and weight issues which ultimately resulted in the departure of two members. Today, Dru Hill keeps on keeping on, and remains one of the most beloved singing groups performing. Subsequent episodes focus on Roxanne Shante (Mar 1), Christopher Williams (Mar 8), Skyy (Mar 15), Shannon (Mar 22), Billy Paul (Mar 29), Betty Wright (Apr 5), Al Jarreau (Apr 12), and Goodie Mob (Apr 19).

TV One premiered a new season of UNSUNG on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT. The new episodes launch with a profile of one of the 80's most electrifying performers, Morris Day. Day is known for being one of the most stylish and slickest personalities in funk and R&B. The episode highlighting Day's meteoric rise features commentary from Snoop Dogg, Cedric the Entertainer and more as Day opens up about the highs and lows of being a music superstar.

UNSUNG returned for a new season on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One, continuing to spotlight entertainment's most influential and talented artists. UNSUNG is narrated by actor Gary Anthony Williams. The season opener highlights Soul 4 Real, a quartet R&B group of brothers, who share their story of brotherhood, early success, and industry mishaps. The Dalyrimple brothers clear the air on their life and their story. Additional episodes feature: Monie Love (March 13), Thelma Houston (March 20), Pete Rock (March 27), PM Dawn (April 3), and Das EFX (April 10), followed by two special episodes: "The Decades 90's" (April 17) and "The Decades 2000's" (April 24). After a five-month break, UNSUNG returned with new episodes on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One. In this new installment, Tony Terry came onto the music scene with a captivating voice and look that made him a standout in R&B. But after the release of his third album, disagreements with management and a secret drug addiction threatened to derail his career and life. Additional episodes feature: "Women Take The Mic" (October 2); Reggae Revolutions (October 9); Jean Carne (October 16); Warryn Campbell (October 23); Norman Conners (October 30); and S.O.L.A.R. Records (November 6).

A new season of UNSUNG debuted on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on TV One. UNSUNG continues to spotlight entertainment's most talented, versatile, and influential music artists. The season premiere explores the life and career of singer, songwriter and musician Bobby Caldwell. Caldwell released several albums spanning R&B, soul, jazz and adult contemporary. His catalog is best known today for its sampling by several prolific hip hop and R&B artists. This episode features the last interview Bobby Caldwell before his passing in March 2023. Upcoming new episodes of UNSUNG include: Cold Chillin' (Mar 10); Chuckii Booker (Mar 17); Candi Staton (Mar 24); Donald Lawrence (Mar 31); Blaque (Apr 7); Stetsasonic (Apr 14); Chingy (Apr 21); and Hip Hop DJs (Apr 28).
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On Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT, TV One premiered "Hip Hop DJs," the season finale of UNSUNG. From the turntable to production, mixtapes, and radio, for the past 50 years the DJ has remained the cornerstone of hip-hop. Join the show to uncover their journey, from shaping music and culture to adapting in an evolving landscape.