The best reality TV shows about music

Diddy’s Making The Band is one of reality TV’s first franchises and gave audiences some of the best music of the 2000s. It launched the careers of the bands Danity Kane and Day 26 and is regarded as one of reality TV’s best shows. Due to the show’s competition-style format, it featured many messy and drama-filled moments, from hookups to eruptive arguments.  

The gospel award-winning duo Mary Mary starred in their own reality show of the same name from 2012 to 2017. The series was surprisingly emotional. In addition to their music careers, it focused on infidelity, broken familial relationships, and so much more. 

Taking the crown as one of the best singing competition shows on the air is NBC’s The Voice . Maybe it's due to the powerful lineup of coaches, including Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, or the highly entertaining sing-off battles. Regardless, if you’re into singing competition shows, be sure The Voice is on your list. 

Love & Hip Hop focuses on the drama more than it does the music, but it is reality TV, after all. There’s no show if there’s no conflict, and there’s never a shortage of explosive moments in this franchise. 

Even though this series was axed by the E! network, it’s still snagging a spot on this list as one of the best reality shows about music. It follows Kevin from the iconic music group Jonas Brothers and his wife, Danielle, as they adjust to married life and Kevin’s busy music career. Although it was sometimes frustrating watching Kevin’s interactions with his partner, the series’ two seasons were still some of the network’s best content from 2012 to 2013. 

Growing Up Hip Hop is the first installment of this WETV franchise. It follows the stories of the children of several hip-hop legends, from Rev Run to Master P. The series' success has resulted in spin-offs in Atlanta and New York. 

What started as a show for couples featured on WETV’s Bridezillas to work through their marital issues eventually turned into a reality TV staple with different variations featuring reality stars, family members, and now, hip-hop icons. 

This classic has provided watchers with greats like Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, and Carrie Underwood. How can it not be labeled as one of the best?  

Thanks to Simon Cowell’s persistence in finding the world’s greatest performer year after year, viewers have received lively episodes of American Idol, The X Factor, and America’s Got Talent since 2002. Although this series features various entertaining acts, the show’s musically inclined contestants are always a treat to watch.

The Four was intense because singers who snagged a spot in the coveted lineup had to sing for their lives to keep it. In the end, only one would remain and win the recording contract they’ve always dreamed of. 

Based on the popular movie Pitch Perfect, Pitch Slapped was an a capella-style reality show aired on Lifetime. It followed two teams from New Jersey high schools that competed in weekly (and intense) sing-offs to determine who was the best of the best. 

Another aca-battle that was perfect for reality television was NBC’s The Sing-Off. This was more intense than the series mentioned before, partly because this series followed eight groups competing for a recording contract. 

The Glee Project is one of the only competition-style shows that resulted in the winner snatching a spot on a prime-time scripted television show. Throughout this show’s 10-episode run, gifted musicians competed until one was crowned the winner. 

BET’s The Encore featured several musicians from former girl groups like 3LW, 702, and Danity Kane living and working together to complete a 6-track EP that featured every artist on every song. With a mission like that, there’s sure to be conflict, and thanks to reality TV veterans like Aubrey O’Day and Shamari DeVoe, things sure took off. 

Who doesn’t remember this show? It featured celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Tim Tebow, and, yes, Beyoncé. 

Music icon Brandy Norwood and her brother, R&B singer Ray J, shared the nitty-gritty of their lives in their own show from 2010 to 2011. Although this series only lasted two seasons, it was one of the most entertaining shows the genre has seen. 

Run’s House was a reality television show aired on MTV for six seasons. It followed the lives of Rev Run from Run-DMC and his wife and children. There are not too many reality shows we’d recommend that don’t have a lot of conflict, but if there is one, it’s this. Run’s House is pure, funny, and family-friendly. 

Maybe it’s because Khloé Kardashian was the show’s host or because Britney Spears and Demi Lovato were judges. Regardless of the fact, this show gave us some of the world’s biggest stars, like Harry Styles, Camila Cabello, and Normani. 

This show followed the life of R&B singer Keyshia Cole and her family. It aired on BET for three seasons and, at one point, was the network’s most-watched program in history. When you stream this show on BET+, you'll understand why.