TV One‘s award-winning documentary series UNSUNG features R&B singer and actor Christopher Williams this Sunday, March 8th at 10 p.m. ET/9C.
Christopher Williams is from the Bronx, who emerged during the late 1980s with a New Jack sound and pretty boy look. As the nephew of the late Ella Fitzgerald, music was always a part of his DNA. The baritone singer released his first single “Talk To Myself,” followed by “Promises,” both of which made him a fan favorite among the ladies.
After the success of his first album, his popularity was further cemented with a starring role in the cult classic film, “New Jack City,” and the #1 single “I’m Dreamin” from the film’s soundtrack.
Events in his personal life, however, would soon jeopardize his rising success. With an alleged rape charge and an arrest for child support, Christopher Williams found himself in a dark place.
Check out UB Previews below. Which include him speaking on the hotel incident with Al B. Sure! Plus his account of him destroying the Uptown Records offices in NYC.
We spoke with Christopher in late 2015, when he released a new single entitled “Too Late.” We asked him then, what had the biggest challenge he faced in the industry? “Being an artist and a business man at the same time. Having people except that and having to wear two-hats and trying to manage and coach personalities and relationships. Having people feel like you’re a diva or difficult or these things they think and at the same time you have to have this tough skin and feel like I really don’t care what people think, because I’m trying to reach a destination as long as you’re operating with integrity.”
Christopher went on to say;
“Because of the history of how artists have been treated and how artists have taken some of the responsibility of how they’ve acted. So that’s one of the things that I really enjoy, that’s apart of my journey when the chapter and the book is closed. Like Frank Sinatra, he did it under his terms and he was blessed enough to have a lot of doors open up and relationships open up. That made it cohesive, I’ve never felt like I had to be the biggest or the best or any of that stuff. I like peace in my surroundings and good energy around my life personally and professionally. So those have been my challenges, but yeah just stay sucker free and keep everything peaceful.”
The season continues with memorable stories of influential artists including funk and disco band Skyy; the “Mother of Freestyle” Shannon; Grammy Award-winning crooner behind the 1972 number one single “Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul; vocal powerhouse Betty Wright, best known for the 70s hit single “Clean Up Woman;” multi-Grammy Award-winning musician Al Jarreau; and Atlanta hip hop quartet Goodie Mob.
UB Interview: Christopher Williams Talks New Album, Reality TV, New Jack City 2 & More
