On November 30, 2008, TV One aired its first episode of Unsung,”The Story of Phyllis Hyman.” The episode featured interviews with Regina Belle, Hiram Bullock, Richard Clay, Patty Jackson, Mercedes Ellington and more who told stories and shared their memories documenting the rise and tribulation of the R&B/Jazz recording artist. Over the course of 10 years, Unsung has revisited the stories of many legends in the world of hip hop, R&B, pop, funk and soul music. They have managed to captivate us with untold tales for nearly a decade. To celebrate their anniversary, Global Grind is taking a look back at 10 of our favorite Unsung episodes.
The Debarge Family / Switch
The Debarge family technically got two Unsung episodes and both are classics. In 2008, TV One aired the Debarge Family Unsung episode. Then in 2017, Unsung aired an episode on Switch, the R&B group which featured Bobby and Tommy Debarge.
Flip through for more of our favorite episodes.
Silk
In February 2018, Unsung aired “The Story of Silk.” Featured on the episode were interviews from Jimmy Gates, Tim “Timzo” Cameron, Tyga Graham, Johnathen “John-John” Rasboro, Gary “Big G” Glenn, Gary Jenkins, Chris Tucker, Keith Sweat, Joyce Littel, Rea Davis, 112, and Darrell “Delite” Allamby. We also got a performance from Silk themselves.
Jon B
Jon B is one of the most impressive artists of our generation. He was the last person to release a duet with Tupac Shakur before his passing and he showed so much promise that even Babyface co-signed him. With such a soulful voice, it’s still hard to believe that he’s not African American. Jon B’s Unsung episode, which aired during season 10, featured interviews with Steve Russell (of Troop), Brian Laskey, Darryl Phillips, Tracey Edmonds and Babyface.
Tammi Terrell
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty
Tammi Terrell has one of the most iconic Unsung episodes to date. Originally airing in 2010 during season three, we heard from Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Otis Williams of the Temptations, Mary Wilson, Gene Chandler, Vance Wilson and many more legends. For those too young to witness her story for themselves, we learned all about her through the words of her loved ones. We learned that she had a record deal by the time she was 14, she was a featured vocalist with James Brown at 17, and that Berry Gordy signed her to Motown Records three years later. We also learned about the abuse she sustained in her relationships.
Michel’le
Michel’le stormed the music scene with a voice like no other and scaled the charts with help from romantic attachments in high places. But that success came with a terrible cost, as a terrorized victim of domestic violence. We all saw Straight Outta Compton. It was nice to see Michel’le’s side.
Next
Next took the world by storm when they dropped their classic “Too Close”. However, things behind the scenes weren’t all “Butta Love”. Money was tearing the group apart and Unsung told us all about it.
Ike Turner
We don’t know as much about Ike Turner as we should, so it’s great that he got an Unsung episode. Serving as the premiere episode for season 8, many considered this Ike Turner’s “redemption” for the 1993 film, What’s Love Got To Do With It.
Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg is a beloved figure in hip-hop music, especially in the West Coast. Nate Dogg was the crooner behind some of our favorite hits coming out of L.A. and it was great to see him get his just due.
H-Town
H-Town is a group that doesn’t quite get the notoriety they deserve. They delivered consistent hits and their voices were so unique that you knew an H-Town song the moment it began to play. Unfortunately, as the group was planning their huge comeback, lead singer Dino was killed in a car crash.
Angela Winbush
Source: PNP/WENN.com / WENN
When Angela Winbush came on the scene in the 1980s, she brought not only a powerful sultry voice infused with gospel roots, but also a versatile self-contained songwriting and producing talent at a time when few females, and even fewer African American females, were producing records at all. As one-half of Rene & Angela, and as a solo artist, she sold over ten million albums and singles worldwide.
