Teddy Riley

Born in Harlem, New York, Riley’s musical talents were evident from a young age, as he played multiple instruments in church and began producing beats at his uncle’s studio by age 14. His first major breakthrough came at 17 with the production of Kool Moe Dee’s hit single “Go See the Doctor.” Soon after, Riley pioneered the New Jack Swing sound with the success of Keith Sweat’s album Make It Last Forever, and formed the influential R&B group Guy, which further solidified his status in the industry. Throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, Riley produced chart-topping hits for numerous artists, including Bobby Brown, Heavy D, and Janet Jackson, revolutionizing the sound of R&B with his unique fusion of genres.

In addition to his work with Guy, Riley formed another successful group, Blackstreet, whose hit single “No Diggity” became a defining moment of ’90s music. He also collaborated extensively with Michael Jackson, co-producing the Dangerous album, which sold over 32 million copies worldwide. Making a natural progression in composition, Riley hit the big screen with his film score/composition credits boasting placements in films like: Do the Right Thing, Rugrats The Movie, House Party, CB4, Money Train, Panther, Get on the Bus, Preacher’s Wife, Wild Wild West, Two Can Play that Game, King’s Ransom and American Reunion. Riley’s influence reached global markets as he became the first African American producer to work in the K-pop industry, producing hits for artists like EXO. Today, Teddy Riley remains an active and pioneering figure in music, balancing studio work across multiple countries while continuing to tour and perform with Blackstreet, cementing his legacy as a transformative force in music history.