UNSUNG, BET’s answer to in-depth looks at great artists, like VH-1’s behind the music.
BET has an amazing array of artists that it has created and we have as many of them as we could find for you to watch in one place, anywhere, anytime on any device.
Launched back in 2010 on BET, Unsung won an NAACP Image Award in the “Outstanding Information Series or Special” category.
As of 2018, the series has garnered six NAACP Image Awards.
The Unsung series has provided a platform for artists to tell their own stories as well as given a sense of closure to both the series’ fans and the families of the artists who have died, as in the case of Roger Troutman of Zapp. Troutman’s brother stated that the public was finally realized the uncertainty about what happened between Roger and Larry Troutman the fatal morning of the 1999 incident that led to death.
While the show has enjoyed strong ratings and critical acclaim, it has also on occasion been criticized for not including some important facts. Jody Watley underscored these assessments in a series of YouTube videos made after the Shalamar episode premiered. (Shalamar was a popular R&B group which included Watley among its members).
Similarly, some relatives of David Ruffin made their complaints known after his Unsung episode premiered.
Recording artist Stephanie Mills has stated she is not a fan of the show. She admits that she has been approached by producers of the series to either be a commentator or the star of an episode, but she denied their requests. She does not believe she is “unsung”.
In October 2013, TV One announced Unsung would receive a spin-off titled Unsung Hollywood, to premiere on February 26, 2014. Unsung Hollywood focuses on actors and comedians, as well as prominent films and TV shows influential in the African American community.
In October 2015, TV One announced another spin-off under the Unsung franchise. Unsung Films will feature made-for-TV movies/biopics.
- Miki Howard – Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story premiered on the network on June 12, 2016.
- DeBarge – All This Love: The Debarge Family Story has been scheduled to be ready for 2018, as of yet, it has not been released.
