{"id":11330,"date":"2025-08-20T14:59:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T18:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefleetmag.com\/?p=11330"},"modified":"2025-08-20T15:00:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T19:00:48","slug":"teddy-riley-guy-and-the-new-jack-swing-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefleetmag.com\/?p=11330","title":{"rendered":"Teddy Riley, Guy, and the New Jack Swing Movement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From 1987 to about 1994 (almost a decade!), New Jack Swing was the dominant sub-genre in the
Black music market. And just about everyone who was Black (or wasn\u2019t Black\u2014more on that later)
put out a New Jack Swing record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were rumblings of sounds similar to New Jack Swing in the early 1980s. Songs produced in the
post-Disco era by artist\/producers like Leon Sylvers over at SOLAR Records; L.A. Reid & Babyface
(then members of The Deele); Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (from Prince\u2019s camp and The Time); Full
Force (who also spearheaded the Latin-Freestyle movement); and the underrated duo of Kashif &
Paul Laurence were all laying the groundwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was a young Teddy Riley from Harlem, New York City, who would ultimately spearhead the movement. He learned music as a child in church and became proficient on drums, bass, guitar, and
keyboards. He joined a group produced by music executive Gene Griffin called Kids at Work, which
also featured Clurel Henderson and Timmy Gatling. Alongside that, Teddy began producing Hip-Hop
records for artists like Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Teddy Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

His big breakthrough came with Keith Sweat\u2019s 1987 debut album Make It Last Forever<\/a><\/em>. Teddy\u2019s production style exploded onto the scene\u2014New Jack Swing had entered the chat, and it was on and popping! The sound was young and fresh: the attitude of Hip-Hop blended with the music of 1980s R&B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Teddy was forming a band called Guy, featuring Timmy Gatling and vocalist Aaron Hall. After the release of their self-titled debut in 1988, Gatling left and was replaced by Aaron\u2019s brother, Damion Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gatling later enjoyed a successful production career, working with Christopher Williams, The Force M.D.\u2019s, Stephanie Mills, and Bell Biv DeVoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Guy\u2019s success, Teddy became one of the most in-demand producers. The hottest young artist to ride the wave was former New Edition member Bobby Brown. Teddy produced hits for Bobby\u2019s 1988 album Don\u2019t Be Cruel<\/a>, including the #1 smash \u201cMy Prerogative<\/a>.\u201d L.A. Reid & Babyface also contributed to the album\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teddy\u2019s influence spread everywhere\u2014working with Culture Club\u2019s Boy George, Debbie Harry of Blondie, LeVert, Heavy D & the Boyz, Hi-Five, Wreckx-n-Effect (featuring Teddy\u2019s brother Markell Riley), Big Daddy Kane, Al B. Sure!, and even returning to his gospel roots with The Winans. He also produced tracks for The Jacksons\u2019 final album 2300 Jackson Street\u2014but this wouldn\u2019t be his last encounter with the famous family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon, the King of Pop himself came calling. Michael Jackson, no longer working with Quincy Jones, wanted a sound that was young and fresh. Enter Teddy Riley. Much of Michael\u2019s 1991 Dangerous<\/em><\/a> album was produced by Teddy, including hits like \u201cRemember the Time<\/a>\u201d and \u201cIn the Closet<\/a>.\u201d From there, Teddy worked with New Kids on the Block, SWV, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and diva Patti LaBelle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Jack Swing became a cultural phenomenon. The Arsenio Hall Show regularly featured New Jack
Swing artists, and In Living Color showcased Fly Girl dance routines to its sound. Movie soundtracks
like House Party, Strictly Business, New Jack City, Juice, Boomerang, Mo\u2019 Money, CB4, Meteor Man,
and A Low Down Dirty Shame were all infused with New Jack Swing, often featuring Teddy\u2019s new
group BLACKstreet (formed after a pause with Guy). Their 1994 self-titled debut was one of the last
true New Jack Swing records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the mid-90s, the sound was being phased out by Gangsta Rap, G-Funk, House, and even Grunge Rock. Montell Jordan\u2019s 1995 smash \u201cThis Is How We Do It\u201d (not produced by Teddy) was arguably the last major song with New Jack Swing elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During its heyday, everyone wanted a piece of the New Jack Swing pie. Guy\u2019s impact was immediate, with Aaron Hall\u2019s vocals influencing a new generation of singers like R. Kelly, Joe, K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci, Montell Jordan, Lil G of Silk, H-Town\u2019s Dino, and more. Groups like Basic Black (formed by Guy\u2019s former manager Gene Griffin) mirrored the style, while Jodeci modernized it. Even groups predating Guy\u2014like New Edition and LeVert\u2014benefited from Teddy\u2019s production blueprint. His influence extended beyond R&B, even shaping House music, with producers like Foster & McElroy, Kyle West, Bernard Belle, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, and Chuckii Booker using Teddy\u2019s style to create hits for TLC, SWV, and Troop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legacy continues today. Bruno Mars\u2019 \u201cFinesse\u201d paid homage to the sound, and DJ Cassidy\u2019s Pass the Mic series (launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns) spotlighted New Jack Swing artists. In 2020, the Teddy Riley vs. Babyface Verzuz battle felt like 1988 all over again. Even video games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features a New Jack Swing radio station (CSR 103.9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The era may be long gone, but as Aaron Hall once sang, \u201cTeddy jam for me\u201d\u2014the spirit of New Jack
Swing still lives on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teddy Riley Discography:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

1984 \u2013 Kids at Work: Kids at Work<\/a>
1988 \u2013 Guy: Guy<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Guy: The Future<\/a>
1994 \u2013 BLACKstreet: BLACKstreet<\/a>
1996 \u2013 BLACKstreet: Another Level<\/a>
1999 \u2013 BLACKstreet: Finally<\/a>
2000 \u2013 Guy: Guy III<\/a>
2003 \u2013 BLACKstreet: Level I<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Teddy\u2019s Jams [Songs produced by Teddy Riley]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1987 \u2013 Keith Sweat: I Want Her<\/a>
1987 \u2013 Johnny Kemp: Just Got Paid<\/a>
1988 \u2013 Guy: Groove Me<\/a>
1988 \u2013 Bobby Brown: My Prerogative<\/a>
1990 \u2013 The Winans: It\u2019s Time<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Hi-Five: (I Like The Way) Kissing Game<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Heavy D & the Boyz: Now That We Found Love<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Michael Jackson: Remember The Time<\/a>
1992 \u2013 Wreckx-n-Effect: Rump Shaker<\/a>
1993 \u2013 SWV: Right Here (Human Nature Remix)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential Non-Teddy Records:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

1987 \u2013 Pebbles: Girlfriend [L.A. Reid & Babyface]<\/a>
1988 \u2013 Al B. Sure!: Off On Your Own (Girl) [Kyle West]<\/a>
1988 \u2013 New Edition: If It Isn\u2019t Love [Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]<\/a>
1988 \u2013 Karyn White: The Way You Love Me [L.A. Reid & Babyface]<\/a>
1989 \u2013 Full Force: Aint My Type of Hype [Full Force]<\/a>
1989 \u2013 Heavy D & The Boyz: Somebody For Me [Eddie F]<\/a>
1989 \u2013 Babyface: It\u2019s No Crime [L.A Reid & Babyface]<\/a>
1989 \u2013 Jody Watley: Real Love [Andre Cymone]<\/a>
1989 \u2013 Troop: Spread My Wings [Chuckii Booker]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Today: Why You Get Funky On Me [Gene Griffin<\/a>]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Bel Biv DeVoe: Poison [Dr. Freeze]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Johnny Gill: Rub You The Right Way [Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Tony! Toni! Tone!: Feels Good [Tony! Toni! Tone!]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Ralph Tresvant: Sensitivity [Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Another Bad Creation: Iesha [Dallas Austin]<\/a>
1990 \u2013 Chubb Rock: Treat Em Right [Howie Tee]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Christopher Williams: I\u2019m Dreamin [Stanley Brown]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Color Me Badd: I Wanna Sex You Up [Dr. Freeze] <\/a>
1991 \u2013 Boyz II Men: MotownPhilly [Dallas Austin]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Gerald LeVert: Private Line [Gerald LeVert]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 R.Kelly & Public Announcement: She\u2019s Got That Vibe [R.Kelly]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 TLC: Ain\u2019t 2 Proud 2 Beg [Dallas Austin]<\/a>
1991 \u2013 Jodeci: Come and Talk To Me [DeVante Swing]<\/a>
1992 \u2013 Mary J: Real Love [Cory Rooney]<\/a>
1992 \u2013 Portrait: Here We Go Again [Portrait]<\/a>
1993 \u2013 Janet Jackson: That\u2019s The Way Love Goes [Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]<\/a>
1994 \u2013 Patti LaBelle: The Right Kind of Lover [Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis]<\/a>
1995 \u2013 Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It [Montel Jordan]<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Avatar photo<\/div>

THE FLEET MAG – WRITER
kerrylewis.fleetdjs@gmail.com><\/p>

Kerry Lewis<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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