Teddy Riley

Edward Theodore Riley (born October 8, 1967) is an American record producer and songwriter credited with the creation of the R&B-hip hop fusion genre New Jack swing.

He is the founder and lead singer of the musical group Blackstreet, as well as its predecessor, Guy.

The genre also gained popularity from artists who heavily utilized Riley's production and songwriting, namely Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Heavy D & the Boyz, Keith Sweat, Hi-Five, and the Jackson 5, among others.

With Blackstreet and Guy, Riley has released four and three respective studio albums to commercial success.

At the age of 18, Riley produced Kool Moe Dee's 12" single "Go See the Doctor". Released on an independent label in 1986, the song became a crossover hit, reaching number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100. Riley had previously worked on the production of Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew's "The Show" in 1985.

In 1987, Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling formed the R&B group Guy.

In 1989, Riley produced Big Daddy Kane's "I Get the Job Done", as well as other work for the Jacksons, the Winans, and James Ingram.

That same year, he helped produce the debut album of his rap group, Wrecks-n-Effect.

He also created the highly successful remix of Jane Child's "Don't Wanna Fall in Love", which became a crossover pop smash.

After the release and tour of Guy's second album, The Future, Riley co-produced half of Michael Jackson's album Dangerous on the recommendation of Jackson's long-time producer Quincy Jones.

He is also credited with popularizing modern use of the talk box vocoder, and discovering fellow Virginia-based musician Pharrell Williams in 1991.

Riley was raised in St. Nicholas Houses in Harlem, New York City.

A child prodigy from the age of five, he began playing instruments in church.

His uncle, who owned the famed Harlem club The Rooftop, built a studio in the club in which Riley would spend most of his time while growing up.

By 14, upstate New York rappers began making music to his tracks.

Under the guidance of local music producer Gene Griffin, Riley formed the short-lived group Kids at Work.

In late 1991, Riley formed a second group, Blackstreet.

He is notable for handling the production for Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time" in 1992, Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" in 1988, SWV's "Right Here (Human Nature Remix)" in 1992, and his group Blackstreet's hit single "No Diggity" (featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen) in 1996.

After the disbandment of Guy in 1992, Riley moved to production, performance on, and promotion of Wreckx-n-Effect's second album Hard or Smooth.

The group would go on to release several major hits, including "Don't Leave Me" (1997), the number one single "No Diggity" (featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen) (1996), and "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" (with Janet Jackson featuring Ja Rule and Eve) (1999).

In 2000, Riley worked with Spice Girl Melanie B on the tracks "ABC 123", "I Believe", and "Pack Your Shit" for her solo debut album Hot.

He also worked on an album with Outsiderz 4 Life, producing "Wil' Out" and other songs.

At the start of 2006, he was part of the New Jack Reunion Tour, featuring Blackstreet and Guy, in addition to After 7, SWV, and Tony! Toni! Toné!.

In May 2006, Riley announced that he would be working on two key projects: a new Blackstreet album and a new Guy album.

In 2008, Riley was the victim of a Ponzi scheme that left him bankrupt.

In June 2008, a fire destroyed Riley's Virginia Beach recording studio.

Fire investigators said that an electrical problem caused the blaze that burned the abandoned recording studio.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department said lightning in the area also could have been a factor, although there was no direct

strike.

The empty studio was for sale and was insured for $336,000.

In 2009, Riley performed with Guy at the BET Awards.

In the same year, Riley worked with Amerie and Robin Thicke on their respective albums.

Leading on from his work on Snoop Dogg's album Ego Trippin', Riley became part of the production supergroup QDT, which features DJ Quik as well as Snoop Dogg.

Riley produced and co-wrote the song "Teeth" with Lady Gaga for her EP The Fame Monster.

In the 2010s and 2020s, Riley worked with musical groups in the Eastern pop market and produced the hit songs "Call Me Baby" for Exo in 2015, "The Boys" for Girls' Generation in 2011, and "Mamacita" for Super Junior in 2014.

Riley, a two-time Grammy Award winner, is recognized for his influence on the production of contemporary R&B, leading to further usage of samples, sound effects, and rapping segments as well as singing—a practice which in part was reminiscent of the Jackson family.

Speaking in March 2010 to Blues & Soul 's Pete Lewis, Riley said that he was no longer affiliated with Guy (Riley had last performed with the group in October 2010).

Riley also said that the current lineup of Blackstreet consisted of himself, Chauncey "Black" Hannibal, Dave Hollister, and Sherman "J-Stylz" Tisdale.

He confirmed that he was working on a new Blackstreet album, though intended to release his own album – entitled TRX – first.

By 2011, the group had disbanded and reformed several times.