TV One's "Unsung" - A Top Notch Show

TV One - Unsung Home Page

Credit is due to the television channel "TV One" for their "Unsung" program.

The show features the biography of various superstar entertainers in musical forms that are popular within the Black community (R&B, gospel and hip hop) and does a 'Where Are They Now" review.

My favorite so far was that of "The Ohio Players". I have only ever heard their music before.  Unlike "Earth Wind and Fire" - I couldn't picture the image of a single member of "The Ohio Players".  That was the case before "Unsung".  

Prior to the episode I thought of their album covers when I thought of the group. As always the show gives previously unknown facts about the conflicts and struggles behind the scenes.  

Most of these stars went from struggling individuals seeking to make it big over to famous names that were not used to the money and the fame that came along with their rise.   Often personal conflicts, money grubbing managers & record companies, drugs and the IRS were the toxic mixes that removed these musical entertainers off of the stage.

It was also interesting to see how "Disco" and "Gangster Rap" forced certain legacy groups to change in an attempt to retain record sales.  Often they strayed too far from what made them great (after listening to the record company) and ended up failing - losing the valuable record contract.

I am not sure how involved cultural critic Nelson George is with the show's actual production but his insight that was presented on several episodes was comprehensive.   The same formula used in BET's "American Gangster" in which the impact of the featured individual upon the Black Community is at play here but with far less deadly results for the community.

TV One has done a good job with this show.