If you’re a fan of soul music and you’re not watching TVone’s documentary series “Unsung”, you are missing out big time. The series, which concludes its’ third season this week, spotlights artists with compelling back stories who have not gotten their deserved props from the mainstream. The folks behind this show really do their research-almost every episode has been sit-in-front-of-the-TV-rapt good. They’ve covered everyone from Donny Hathaway and Phyllis Hyman to DeBarge and Stacy Lattisaw, and this season’s final episode looks at the long and storied history of The O’Jays.
Already in preparation for Season 4, the folks at TVone are asking who should be on the next season of Unsung. If you head on over to their site, you can vote on ten artists who just might get profiled in the next season. Just about all the choices they offer should have interesting stories to tell, whether it’s Angela Bofill discussing her time in the Arista Records dungeon or her health issues, Rakim discussing who REALLY produced those Eric B. & Rakim records, or Tevin Campbell maybe finally discussing the solicitation arrest that basically ended his career. There are also still quite a few artists who I think deserve the “Unsung” treatment that haven’t been profiled and also don’t appear on this list. Here are some of the artists that “Unsung” should consider for Season 5.
Teddy Riley/Guy/BLACKstreet- One of the preeminent producers of the past 25 years (and the founder of hip-hop soul) has quite a story to tell. From their shady business dealings with the Suge Knight-like Gene Griffin to Teddy’s working relationship with the King of Pop to the revolving door that was BLACKstreet, I’d say this would be one of the more interesting “Unsung” stories if they can get everyone involved in the saga to participate.
Terence Trent D’Arby-Much like Kanye West, TTD had a bigger mouth and a bigger ego. Much like Kanye West, TTD was and is a genius. Unlike Kanye, however, TTD’s mass recognition begins and ends with his debut, although he’s made four strong efforts in the years since. It would be interesting to discuss whether people think TTD’s mouth killed his career or if it was his ambition and refusal to fall into line with the rest of contemporary R&B.
Millie Jackson- Before there was Lil’ Kim or Foxy Brown, there was Millie Jackson-a singer who gave folks the real deal about relationships in her songs-colorful language and all. Millie’s albums in the late Seventies and early Eighties were huge sellers although she never got a sniff of pop airplay. History has certainly neglected her-I think an “Unsung” episode is owed to her, quite frankly. She practically defines the word.
Vanity 6- Denise Matthews, a biracial Canadian soft-porn star, fell under Prince’s wing in the early Eighties and became the frontwoman for one of the Purple Yoda’s most fondly remembered side projects, Vanity 6. They picked up the baton on frank sexual talk post-Millie and pre-Madonna. Vanity left Prince’s camp in the middle of filming “Purple Rain”, made a couple of solo albums, found modest success as an actress (“Action Jackson”), was dating Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx when he overdosed, and nearly died herself as a complication of years of drug abuse. Now a born-again Christian, Vanity is probably reluctant to discuss her early days, but it would certainly be compelling television! Besides, who wouldn’t want the skinny on what was going down in MPLS back in the day?
The Force MD’s- Staten Island’s Force MDs bridged the gap between hip-hop and R&B before just about anyone else did it. They had the misfortune to be signed to an indie label (Tommy Boy), so they never got the chance to blow up like their contemporaries New Edition, despite scoring a handful of R&B chart hits (they also worked with Jam & Lewis before NE did). Tragedy has beset the band in the years since, with two members having passed away in untimely fashion. Shouldn’t some light be given to just about the only good thing to come out of the 5th borough that’s not Wu-Tang related?
Who else do you think deserves props from the “Unsung” folks? Leave a shout in the comment section and tell us!
115 comments
Nathaniel says:
Mar 5, 2012
Laryn Hill, Lisa Stansfield, Soul To Soul, LiL Kim, 5 Starr and Troop ought to be on Unsung.
jackie says:
Mar 8, 2012
i never miss UNSUNG MONDAY NIGHT AT 10:00 I always wonder where they are now and what they do when the next big thing comes alone…next season how about TAVARES ANGELA BOFILL MICHEL’LE L AND PATTI AUSTIN
Chris Morgan says:
Mar 31, 2012
Troop,Five Starr, Ready For The World,CeCe Penniston, Val Young, Aron Hall, Portrait,Force Md’s,Chub Rock,Special Ed,Mary Jane Girls and Loose Ends.
ross slaughter says:
Jun 11, 2012
frankie beverly and maze,dynasty,s.o.s band,miles jay,confunction,chuck brown and the soul searchers,enchantment should all be on unsung and thats just to name a few. stephenie mills,staple singers,lakeside.i can go on and on!
Nathaniel says:
Jul 19, 2012
Tony Terry,Keith Washington,Ronnie Spector, Betty Wright,Tevin Campbell, D’Atria Hicks, Vanity, Lisa Stansfield, Total, Jenifer Holliday, Five Starr, The Jets, Jermaine Stewart, Total, Foxy Brown and Lil Kim should be featured on Unsung.
blerd says:
Jul 19, 2012
I’d definitely look at a bunch of those. Good calls!
Tony says:
Aug 2, 2012
First of all, I wanna say thx Ms. Hughes for showing these artist who were great singers who never get any kind of recognition, but me being from Philly I would love to see the Intruders on Unsung!! Keep the show going……
Nathaniel says:
Aug 2, 2012
Joyce Sims,Lauryn Hill,Karyn White,Miche’le,Gregory Abbot,Mary Wilson, and Kool and the Gang should be featured on the next Unsung.
blerd says:
Aug 2, 2012
Lots of good choices here, although I certainly wouldn’t call Lauryn Hill unsung.
Nathaniel says:
Aug 2, 2012
I said Lauryn Hill is unsung because I really haven’t heard anything from her since her first cd and there has been alot of absences from her in the music industry. When you do a cd like that first one she did, you are waiting for what’s next? It least I am. That’s what make her unsung.
Arvin says:
Aug 12, 2012
Loose Ends, Soul II Soul, Troop, Guy, Chuckii Booker, Hi-Five, SOS Band, and I would have to say Donnie Simpson(Video Soul) without this show alot of us would’ve never known this artist.
Nathaniel says:
Aug 14, 2012
I would like to see something on Donnie Simpson he was a poineer in music video. I would also like to see Betty Wright, Yo Yo, Carla Thomas, and The Mary Jane Girls featured on Unsung.
blerd says:
Aug 14, 2012
I would love to see a Betty Wright “Unsung.” A Mary Jane Girls one, too.
joe phillips says:
Sep 22, 2012
I would love to see Love Unlimited
Doris says:
Jan 30, 2013
I want the Tavares , Wilson Picket, and Al WIlson that what I would like to see on unsung Tv.one
Cathy says:
Feb 28, 2013
I would like to see Paul Williams, Mary Wilson, Martha & the Vandellas,
Wilson Pickett be on unsung. Great, great in my book.
linda greene says:
Mar 4, 2013
I will like to see the labelles mary wilson black ivory new brith.
Marsha says:
Mar 6, 2013
I think the Dramatics should be choosen for unsung 2013 long over due!
arlene says:
Mar 7, 2013
There is a group of highly gifted females that should appear on unsung, and that group is the one and only Arlene Smith and the Chantels!!!!!! I have been a fan since the fifties and I would love to see them featured on your show UNSUNG.
Brocka says:
Mar 13, 2013
These artists definitely should be featured on Unsung: Shanice Wilson, Milira, Tevin Campbell, Tracey Spencer, Guy, Peaches & Herb, 702, Escape, Keith Sweat, and Luther Vandross.
melisia says:
Mar 21, 2013
i would to see sister sledge. tevin campbell, hi-five,obryan,guy,blackstreet, total, xscape,al green, otis redding,sugarhill gang, next and ready for the world
Justice says:
Mar 23, 2013
I would love to see different generations of singers. Sam Cook, Jackie Wilson, Ready For The World, Lakeside, Four Tops, Tavares, Junior, Terrance Trent Darby, Rockie Robin, Cameo, Paul Williams of the Temptations, Freda Payne, The Jones Girls, Sister Sledge, The Emotions, High Inergy, The Jets, Eugene Wild, Joe Simon, Johnny Taylor, Percy Sledge, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Donna Summer, Barry White, Cheryl Lynn, Luther Vandross, Martha Reeves, Stephanie Mills, The Honey Cones, The Three Degrees to name a few
Big Money says:
Mar 24, 2013
A lot of great names there!
twin says:
Apr 21, 2013
Hi, upcoming unsung The Dramtics should be frist in line!
Andie Girl G. says:
Apr 30, 2013
Tevin Cambell, The Boys, The Good Girls, Jade, CeCe Penniston, Crystal Waters, 357, The Spinners/Moments, The Jets, The L.A. Boppers that whole season!!
Brian says:
Feb 6, 2014
I would the r and b group the enchantments should benthe next unsung.
DUANE LEONARD says:
Feb 13, 2014
SLAVE!!!!!
DUANE LEONARD says:
Feb 13, 2014
SLAVE!!!!! SWITCH!!!!!
MJ says:
Feb 13, 2014
I would watch either one of those.
esther latane says:
Feb 18, 2014
I really enjoy unsung it reminds me of all the good music from back in the day day when music had a message and a meaning that’s music. I have older children and they love the music from the 70’s 80’s & 90’s keep it flowing so far the artists are on the money there are so many out their that are unsung. How can i give some names to help this awesome tv one network i know a lot that i would like to know where that at and what they are doing and what happen to their careers. thanks hope to hear from u soon black birds, awb, kool and the gang, sister sledge, wild cherry,
Tracey Clatyon says:
Feb 24, 2014
The Force MD’s would be quite interesting.
Tim Askew says:
Aug 6, 2014
Doug E. Fresh & the Get fresh crew, Jodeci, Guy, Al’B Sure, Special Ed, Mc Lyte, Super Lover Cee & Cassanova Rudd, The DNA & Hank Love Radio Show jam 105.5 in nyc, Slick Rick, Ultra Magentic Mc’s, Tim Dog, Kwame,
Renee Saunders says:
Aug 21, 2014
Black Ivory, the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Moments, Blue Magic, Four Tops, Smokey Robins and the Miracles.
Kenya King says:
Sep 18, 2014
I would love to see. Ready 4 the World, Skyy, Surface, The Jets.
David L. White says:
Sep 19, 2014
I think the Unsung series have done a great job. I would like to see an episode on #1 Tyrone Davis; be it classified as R&B, Soul, or Blues. I think he and other artists of the 70’s have been overlooked. Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, etc. I grew up on this music and some people are not aware of how great this genre of music was in its era.
Juliette Bain says:
Sep 24, 2014
Another Bad Creation (A.B.C)
Gee says:
Oct 16, 2014
H-Town
delores kelly says:
Jan 21, 2015
Junior walker and the all stars
Ty says:
Feb 4, 2015
Sam Cooke, Maze ft Frankie Beverley, and Johnny Taylor
G.Black says:
Mar 5, 2015
I would like to see a Unsung featuring Immature
ULISA DEWITT says:
Apr 29, 2015
I would like to see the Dazz Band, Lakeside and the SOS Band on unsung
Brian. Williams says:
May 16, 2015
I would like to see club Nuvou and time x social club.gap band,bb king, Tony Toni tone,
Mike says:
Jun 25, 2015
Unsung has been a great series and I wish there was some way we could get even more each season. My request is that we see artist that has had more than just a few hits. Artist like Cameo,Brothers Johnson,the Gap Band,the Isley Brothers,the Commodores, Maze,Slave,LTD and Jeffrey Osborne,Chaka Kahn,En Vogue,New Edition,Patti Labelle,Curtis Mayfield,AWB,Atlantic Star,Skyy,Larry Graham,Earth Wind and Fire,Slave,Grace Jones,New Edition,Gladys Knight,Fats Domino,Four Tops,Sam Cooke,Guy,Lakeside,Jimmy Castor,Mothers Finest,Ready For The World,BB King,Staple Singers,Stevie Wonder,Stephanie Mills,Quincy Jones,Marvin Gaye,Sam Cooke,Clarence Carter,Roy C.,Grandmaster Flash, the Dells,Al Green Boyz II Men,Doug E. Fresh,Dru Hill,the Fugees,Jodeci and Luther Vandross to list a few. Thank you.
MJ says:
Jun 30, 2015
I think the purpose of “UnSung” is to highlight artists that have not really had mainstream recognition; which eliminates quite a few of the artists you mention in your comment. I don’t think anyone can rightfully consider Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder (or Earth Wind & Fire) to be an unsung artist.
Atlantic Starr has had an UnSung special already, and Stephanie Mills has said numerous times that she doesn’t consider herself unsung and thus has refused TVOne’s offers to her. New Edition already has a “Behind The Music”. I can’t imagine UnSung would be any different.
A few artists on your list do make sense, though: Skyy, Slave, even Jodeci.
David White says:
Jun 30, 2015
I would like to see some of the other not so mainstream venues of the music genre. Artists like Johnnie Taylor and Tyrone Davis, to name of few that were riding the charts in the southern soul/blues fields. Today, this music is played on the southern soul circuits as well as many other new contemporary blues/southern soul artist.
MJ says:
Jul 2, 2015
I agree!!
Mother of Humanity says:
Sep 17, 2015
I think that The Lady Of Rage and Michel’le deserves their own Unsung.
LINDA COBB says:
Oct 6, 2015
ENCHANTMENT, BARRY WHITE , ISLEY BROTHERS AND
Kendall E. Reaves says:
Dec 25, 2015
Cool and the Gang.
Beyonka says:
Jan 26, 2016
terence trent darby