This documentary series takes a look at some of the top R&B and soul artists of the last several decades, many of whom are not household names. Narrated by actor Gary Anthony Williams, the NAACP Image Award-winning program features interviews with people who know the musicians well enough to tell the ups and downs of their careers. Episodes usually start with the story of an artist's upbringing before moving into the trials and tribulations faced as the subject searched for the big break early in his or her music career. The pinnacle of the performer's career plays out next, before a turning point that led to each one's career beginning a downward trend.

2 seasonsDocumentary, BiographyTV-14

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Season 1616 of 19 Episodes

The 1970s arrived on waves of social unrest, with songs that spoke to both protest and affirmation; as the music industry flourished, the '70s grew into a golden age for R&B, bringing social consciousness to the dance floor.
The '80s were a decade of innovation and breakthroughs -- musically, politically and culturally -- by any means necessary, as the grittier sounds of early hip-hop were rising from the streets.
Monie Love made her own lane as a rap star in the late '80s and early '90s with a unique style and socially-conscious lyrics; Monie tells her amazing story, which started as a dream and ended up changing the world of hip-hop.
P.M. Dawn topped the charts in the early '90s with hits "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" and "I'd Die Without You," which explored the boundaries of hip-hop; surviving member Eternal shares on the group's success and honors the life of brother Prince Be.
Das EFX gained popularity in the early '90s for their animated flow that birthed a new sound in hip-hop called the iggity flow; with No. 1 hits "They Want EFX" and "Mic Checka," Das EFX secured platinum success and a career that spans three decades.
The '90s is a decade of triumph and turbulence, as R&B and hip-hop go well beyond crossover to dominate the charts and define mainstream American music, while artists find ways to impact society in ways both serious and playful.
The 2000s usher in not just a decade but a millennium, and the excitement and sense of opportunity that greet their arrival are reflected in the music and an historic election in the years that follow.
The impact of jazz from 1959-1969; Miles Davis' personal style and groundbreaking albums influenced the direction of jazz.
With artists like Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and India Arie leading the way, neo soul mixed conscious lyrics and live instruments with funk, jazz, hip-hop, and African rhythms to spark a new wave of music through the 1990s and 2000s decades.
Tony Terry comes onto the music scene with a captivating voice and look that make him a standout in R&B; after the release of his third album, disagreements with management and a secret drug addiction threaten to derail his career and life.
Hip-hop was a man's world until women took what was theirs; with artists like Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte and Salt N Pepa leading the way, female emcees helped set a course for hip-hop that resonates to this day.
Through the '60s and '70s, songwriters, including Burning Spear, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, put Jamaican music on the map; this episode showcases several classic songs while telling the stories of artists who put their lives on the line.
Jean Carne began her career in the late '60s as a trained musician and singer whose voice bolstered an impressive five-octave range; Jean Carne talks about the ups and downs of her five-decade career.
Warryn Campbell is joined by Mary Mary, DJ Quik, Mario, Shanice and more to celebrate and share the story of his life and hits.
Norman Connors was one of music's best kept secrets as a drummer and producer who helped launch some of R&B's most notable hits and stars; his unique arrangement of vocal talent and musicianship made him an industry go-to producer and musician.
S.O.L.A.R. Records and its owner, Dick Griffey, helped shape the sound of '70s R&B; friends, family and fellow artists celebrate the legacy of a label that came to define what S.O.L.A.R. stood for: the Sound of Los Angeles Records.

Soul for Real bursts onto the R&B scene in the mid-'90s with a soulful sound that had a youthful twist; exploring Soul for Real's journey, from friends, family, and the four brothers who lived it.
Upcoming
Singer Regina Belle combines the voice of an angel with the down-home spirit of a Jersey girl to score hit after hit in the 1990s; her faith and fortitude are tested by a battle with brain cancer.
Upcoming
From the turntable to production, mixtapes, and radio, for the past 50 years the DJ has remained the cornerstone of hip-hop; uncovering their journey, from shaping music and culture to adapting in an evolving landscape.
Upcoming
Morris Day's stylish personality made him popular in the funk and R&B music scene in the early '80s; Morris shares the highs and lows of his career, and how Prince was both friend and foe.
Upcoming
Digable Planets change hip-hop in the mid 1990s with a fresh sound and style; the trio is stopped in its tracks after only two albums due to the pressure to commercialize as well as internal struggles.
Upcoming
Pete Rock is the first producer to be honored on "Unsung Presents: The Hitmakers"; the stories behind some of his top productions, including "T.R.O.Y.," with CL Smooth, Run-DMC's "Down with the King," "The World Is Yours" by Nas, and others.
Upcoming

Gary Williams

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