This New Year, TV One's longest-running and award-winning series, UNSUNG, will launch its tenth season with a hot new line-up of the music and stories behind an influential collection of talented Soul, Hip Hop and R&B artists beginning with those dynamic Sisters With Voices better known as SWV on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. ET. Mixing celestial gospel harmonies with street swagger, SWV brought an edgy sound to female R&B groups that helped define the '90s decade. Additionally, episodes profiling Fat Joe, Jon B., Lenny Williams, Case, Dave Hollister, After 7 and James Brown are slated to highlight each performer's rise to stardom while providing a glimpse into the lesser-known challenges they endured behind the spotlight.
"Unsung's in-depth first-person interviews, the participation of family and friends, the attention to detail invested into sharing each artist's story and, of course, the music are the staples that have made this series 'Must-See TV,'" says TV One President Brad Siegel. "We have a loyal viewing audience who can attest to the fact that once you watch five minutes, you'll hear something about your favorite artist you didn't know before and then you're hooked! There is the reason that after 129 episodes and nine seasons UNSUNG is still TV One's most anticipated series."
Unsung is No. 1 on cable in its time slot among Blacks (P25-54, W25-54, P18-19 and W18-49) and a Top 10 program in primetime on cable among Black women (W25-54 and W18-49). Through first-hand accounts, interviews with family and friends, and archival footage, each episode of TV One's signature series weaves a tale of the highs and lows of a life in the limelight. The poignant stories of UNSUNG offer insight into the trials and triumphs faced in both private and public forums.
Kicking off the UNSUNG season in January is the talented female trio SWV on Jan. 4, followed by Fat Joe on Jan. 11, Jon B on Jan. 18 and Lenny Williams on Jan. 25. During the month of February UNSUNG continues with new episodes featuring a string of male crooners: Case on Feb. 1, Dave Hollister on Feb. 8, After 7 on Feb. 15 and James Brown on Feb. 22.
TV One's upcoming new episodes of UNSUNG are outlined below.
UNSUNG: NEW EPISODES
SWV
Premiere: Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. ET
Mixing celestial gospel harmonies with street swagger, SWV brought 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.
Fat Joe
Premiere: Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET
Born and raised in the Bronx, Fat Joe took a journey from street gangster to music mogul, and helped put Latino rappers on the map. But personal beefs, legal troubles and personal tragedies often imperiled his career. 50 Cent, Remy Ma, Swizz Beats, Cool & Dre, Scott Storch, and DJ Khaled help tell the tale.
JON B.
Premiere: Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. ET
Jon B. broke barriers with his own kind of Blue Eyed Soul in the heyday of '90s R&B. But clashes with his record label and turmoil in a rocky marriage would put him out of the spotlight for years. The episode includes commentary by Tracey Edmonds, Babyface, Nautica de la Cruz, Tammi Mac and Warryn Campbell.Lenny Williams
Premiere: Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. ET
Lenny Williams went from promising Oakland preacher to national R&B star in the '70s, making his mark on songs like 'What is Hip" with Tower of Power, and scaling the charts on his own. But when the hits stopped coming, he struggled to find his way. Insights from family and friends are provided by MC Hammer, David E. Talbert, Lionel Bea, and Leunell.
CASE
Premiere: Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET
With hit singles "Happily Ever After" and "Missing You"; Case's music set the soundtrack for a love that was meant to last. But the comforts of love he celebrated in song didn't match the reality of his personal life. Ginuwine, Marcus Chapman, Eddie F., Nokio and Rodney Perry provide reflections.
DAVE HOLLISTER
Premiere: Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET
After making his recording debut with Blackstreet, Dave Hollister became a solo star with hits like "My Favorite Girl" and "One Woman Man". But he was secretly living a tormented life, battling addictions to drugs and women that unsettled his career, and his life. The episode includes commentary by Tank, Teddy Riley, Chopmaster J, Money B, Tim Kelly, and Al B. Sure.
AFTER 7
Premiere: Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET
A singing trio composed of brothers Kevon and Melvin Edmonds, along with friend Kevin Mitchell, and with the help of Kevin and Melvin's brother and producer, Babyface, After 7 came out of nowhere to rule the charts with a smash debut album. But professional conflicts and personal disputes shortened their reign. Insights are provided by Babyface, Steven Russell Harts, Allen McNeil, and Steve Ivory.
TRIBUTE TO James Brown
Premiere: Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. ET
One of the greatest artists in the history of popular music, James Brown all but invented funk. During this special episode, band members, friends, and stars of R&B and Hip-Hop trace the career, and celebrate the legacy, of the man they call the Godfather. Reflections for family and friends are provided by Chadwick Boseman, Money B, Full Force, Frankie "Kash" Waddy, Mary Wilson, Kwame, Marcus Chapman, Steve Ivory and Rickey Vincent.
Unsung is narrated by actor Gary Anthony Williams and is Executive Produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. Productions. Mark Rowland is Co-Executive Producer. For TV One, Jubba Seyyid is Executive in Charge of Production and Sr. Director of Programming; Robyn Arrington Greene is Vice President, Original Programming and Production; and D'Angela Proctor is Head of Original Programming and Production.
For more information on Unsung, visit TV One's YoutubeChannel and catch full the full episodes the day after premiere on www.tvone.tv/unsung. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on TV One's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) and the UNSUNG Facebook (@tvoneunsung) using the hash tag #UNSUNG.
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