Plot Synopsis

Narrated by actor Gary Anthony Williams, UNSUNG PRESENTS: THE DECADES is a four-part UNSUNG special event series that examines the music and social consciousness of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. These four DECADES episodes put a spotlight on songs that were chart hits, while also showing how they became signifiers for what was going on in the wider culture of Black America, from politics to fashion to business. The DECADES special tells the chronological story of the evolution of music, from Motown and disco in the 1970s and 1980s, to the revolutionary sound and style of Hip Hop in the 1990s and 2000s, showcasing the music and artists that provided the soundtrack of Black America, including Edwin Starr, The Floaters, Brick, Carl Carlton, Dazz Band, Jermaine Stewart, Rockwell, Teddy Riley, Public Enemy, All 4 One, Az Yet, Lisa Fischer, Jade, Digital Underground, Tweet and Keak Da Sneak. DECADES provides social commentary to cultural events such as the Vietnam War, the crack cocaine & AIDS epidemic, and police brutality in American society and the role music played. UNSUNG PRESENTS: THE DECADES kicks off a night of back-to-back episodes on Sunday, February 27, 2022 starting at 9pm ET/PT, beginning with the 1970s, immediately followed by the 1980s episode at 10pm ET/PT. The 1990s and 2000s episodes debut on consecutive Sundays in April.

1970s (Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 9pm): 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.

1980s (Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 10pm): 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.

1990s (Sunday, April 17, 2022):

2000s (Sunday, April 24, 2022):