The Game Changers: How Did Babyface & Teddy Riley Reinvent R&B?

After several delays ,microphone feedback and hilarious memes from last Friday’s biggest quarantine event, the two  biggest giants in the music industry finally put up the dukes and battled it out by playing their greatest hits in a much anticipated rematch ; with delight from adoring fans.   For those who weren’t around to witness the greatest of these two prolific producers in their heyday, Babyface & Teddy Riley arguably redefined rhythm and blues throughout 1980’s and 1990s.  

Here’s a short bio about them: 

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds began his music career in the early 1970’s with various bands.  It’s rumored that Bootsy Collins gave him the nickname “Babyface” for his boyish face. In the early 80s, B.F was absorbed in  two groups; The Deele and producing for his brothers with After 7. Once the Deele disbanded in 1987, Babyface and fellow bandmate L.A Reid went on to form LaFace Records under the Arista imprint. There the two would produce and songwrite  for some of the most popular & greatest artists in the industry (in no particular order) .Acts include, Damien Dane,Karyn White , Pebbles, TLC, Bobby Brown, Tevin Campbell, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Beyonce, Usher, Boyz II Men, Jon B., Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, Madonna, Eric Clapton, The Whispers, Michael Jackson, Johnny Gill.

Edward “Teddy” Riley  musical upbringing was absorbed in the early stages of Hip Hop in the late 70s and 80s.  Teddy would produce songs for a variety of Hip Hop artists. With his frequent usage of the Stravinsky cord (which Babyface also used)  thus creating a fusion among  Hip Hop & R&B; New Jack Swing. Teddy and his partner Bernard Belle produce an entirely different sound that became the standard from  1987-1993. Teddy also had tremendous success with his own groups Guy & Blackstreet. Production credits include but aren’t limited to:  Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee,Big Daddy Kane Keith Sweat, Bobby Brown, Heavy D & The Boyz, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson (7 out 14 tracks for his album Dangerous), Lady Gaga, Foxy Brown, Jay-Z , SWV, The Neptunes, Missy Elliot, Timbaland Whitney Houston

During the broadcast, Babyface and Teddy took us all down memory lane with their iconic body of work. I enjoyed the fun facts that were exchanged and Babyface’s quick witted shade. For those who couldn’t get in due to over capacity on live; you missed out. 

 Thanks for the hits gentlemen.  

Did the rematch exceed your expectations?