Inet 6 had a chance to interview Teddy Riley, the New Jack Genius...Mr T.R. take it to the bridge
I6: As far as influences, who influenced you to sing?
TR: First of all the man above, my mom who always pushed me to, and Aaron Hall who made me sing. My influences are Roger Troutman (RIP), George Clinton, Sly, KC from the Sunshine Band, Buddy, Miles, Bootsy Collins, Johnny Guitar Watson and Stevie Wonder. All these artists had great concepts.
I6: I heard you sang in the church back in the day. How did the concept of Guy come about from being in the church?
TR: I started playing in the church at the age of 9. The first time i ever sung a solo was at school. The influence of that was brought on by my music teacher Mr. Smiles and another music teacher Mr Cornelius who really pushed me to sing.
I6: I heard you play the organ?
TR: Yep Yep
I6: What were the ups and downs with Guy?
TR: The ups with Guy would've been on stage or in the studio. The downs was when we're not together, not rehearsing , things like that. Now it is all ups because Guy is back. We're all grown and we've grown together to understand this is a business, and we can be family.
I6: How did Guy get signed to Uptown Records?
TR: We got signed to Uptown through me working with Heavy D (RIP) . Andre Harrell always admired my production. We put together Guy, and Andre always believed in Guy as a group.
I6: How did Mr. Harrell discover your production before you worked with Heavy D?
TR: Andre liked my work before, because i worked with Classical Two, and Doug E Fresh. I started doing rap production first. My first hot records was Doug E Fresh's "The Show" You Know What Time It Is" and Kool Moe Dee's "Wild, Wild, West" Others i produced for were Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Father MC, Wrecks- N- Effect, Red Head Kingpin, the list goes on and on...
I6: What started up the group Blackstreet?
TR: I was writing for Bobby Brown. I heard Chauncey sing before i worked with Bobby. I told him "I want to start a group with you" and he was like "What do you mean with me" . Chauncey said "Wait, Me & You" i'm like " Yeah with you", he said "Yeah i will be in a group with you. How many do you want in the group?". I told him " 4 members not 3, because i don't want this group to be another group like Guy , in case we get back together."
(The original group was Teddy, Chauncey(Black), Levi Little & Joeseph Stonestreet(Street)...Dave Hollister replaced Stonestreet)
I6: I heard Chauncey and Dave Hollister were supposed to be in Jodeci?
TR: Noooo not at all. Dave sang background for Jodeci. He is also K-Ci & JoJo's cousin. Chauncey sang in the church with his family.
I6: Ups and Downs with Blackstreet?
TR: Well the ups were everyone could sing. The down was everybody was thinking solo. So any member that wanted to go solo, we let them go. That was the down because we needed new members. (Dave Hollister & Levi Little went solo and they were replaced by Mark Middleton & Eric Williams. Terrell Phillips & Kermit Quinn came later.)
I6: How come your solo album Blackrock was never released?
TR: I didn't want it to be (which it got leaked anyways on Ebay or now Youtube). Really wasn't feeling being a solo artist. Only song from that album that got major play was "Party - N- Bullshit" w/ Method Man on the Rush Hour 2 Soundtrack . I had another song i produced on that Soundtrack with Benzino.
I6: What is in store for Mr Yep Yep now?
TR: I'm doing a bunch of things. Gotta new funding label called Teddy Riley Music Group. Plus touring with Silk, Kut Klose, Dru Hill, Jodeci, ect.. Who knows what will be down the line, but i know it is going to be busy.
Here is a show i did on my radio station with a drop from Teddy himself...All shows are from our back catalog and for promotional use only..
Blackstreet- New Jack Swing
1. I Like It/Drop Teddy Riley
2. Don't Wanna Be Alone
3. Once In A Life Time (Unreleased)
4. Bootknocklization (Unreleased) Feat. Eric Sermon
5. I Get Lonely (Remix)- Feat. Janet Jacskon
6. Tonights The Night (Original)
7. Fix (Remix)- Feat. ODB & Slash from Guns N Roses
8. Baby Be Mine (Remix)
10. Sista (Force One Network/Dave Hollister)
11. Is It Good To You- Feat. Tammy Lucas
12. Before I Let You Go (TR Mix)
13. Billie Jean
14. Why Do You Do- (Teddy Riley from Blackrock)
As you can see Teddy Riley worked with the Jackson's. Michael even co wrote "Joy" on Blackstreet's first album. Michael and Teddy worked together on tracks like "Blood On The Dance Floor" , "Ghosts" "2000 Watts", "Don't Walk Away" , "Heaven Can Wait", "Whatever Happens" & "Hollywood Nights"
Unreleased tracks Riley & Jackson:
1. All My Children
2. If You Don't Love
3. Belong 2 U
4. Can't Get Your Weight Off Me
5. If You Don't Love
6. She Got It
7. She Was Lovin Me
8. Vibrationist
9. Work That Body
Michael Jackson had an influence on people like Ginuwine, Justin Timberlake, Chris Tucker, Eddie Griffin ect.. Wherever Michael went he had an impact on somebody. If anyone was to bring the world together in peace it would've been MJ the King.
Here is a tribute mix show we did on the anniversary of his passing (For Promotional Use Only)
MICHAEL JACKSON - FOREVER
1. Pepsi Intro
2. What More Can I Give
3. The Girl Is Mine- feat. Will I Am
4. Why- feat. 3T
5. I Need You- Feat. 3T
6. Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming- Feat. Jermaine Jackson
7. Serious Effect
8. Hotstreet
9. Got The Hots
10. For All Time
11. Torture (Remix)
12. Please Don't Stop Billie- feat. Rihanna
13. Hold My Hand- Feat. Akon
14. Michael Jackson & James Brown Outro
