Beyond the Music is an American music documentary series produced and directed by Thomas Gibson for Vision Music which features in-depth interviews with and exclusive footage of a variety of music industry stars.
The series premiered in South Africa on SABC1 on Sunday 11 May 2008, at 12h30. There are 10 half-hour episodes.
Synopsis
Featuring in-depth interviews and exclusive footage with Mary J. Blige, Macy Gray, Lil Wayne, UGK, Faith Evans, Letoya and Ebony Eyez.
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the personal lives and careers of your favourite musical artists.
Witness the late Notorious B.I.G's son, Christopher Wallace, Jr., rap for the first time; the dramatic transformation of Faith Evans as she grudgingly loses weight to appease her record label; and the drama that unfolds for Bun B and Pimp C of UGK as they try to stay relevant in the rap game.
Episodes
Episode 1
Mary J. Blige reminisces about the early days of hip-hop and how her career was shaped by the culture of the music growing up in the early 80s in New York City.
Episode 2
Macy Gray talks about love, children and what makes her stand out from the rest of the pack while working on her album "Big".
Episode 3
Follow Lil' Wayne from his video shoot to partying like a rock star while hanging out in Los Angeles.
Episode 4
UGK members Bun B and the now deceased Pimp C talk about the rap game and how they have struggled to reach the top. Appearances by rap luminaries Outkast, Baby, Three 6 Mafia, Rick Ross and Mike Jones.
Episode 5
Faith Evans is determined to keep the legacy of Notorious B.I.G. alive by staying relevant in the music industry. We see her overcome her struggles with weight, music sessions with Jermaine Dupri and rise above her past drug addiction as she releases a new album.
Episode 6
We visit with Faith Evans again as she goes into concert and breaks down her musical style, her past influences and how she overcame many personal demons to reach the top.
Episode 7
Letoya introduces herself to the world as a solo artist after her mysterious departure from platinum selling female group Destiny's Child.
Episode 8
Follow Letoya on the road to becoming a star in her own right as she finds out that being solo means the spotlight and the heat is squarely on her shoulders.
Episode 9
Letoya realises her dreams of being a solo artist when her single debuts at no. 1 on the urban billboard charts. She also discovers that the road to stardom is a long one; witnesses her growth from group member in the background to become a pop diva on her own.
Episode 10
Ebony Eyez, a brand new female rap artist, battles the misogyny and double standards set for women in the game of hip-hop. Her controversial single "Put My Ass in Your Face" also gets put into perspective.