New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, new jack swing was most popular from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Guy is an American hip hop, R&B and soul group founded in 1987 by Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling. Hall's younger brother Damion Hall replaced Gatling after the recording of the group's self-titled debut album. The group released their debut album, which went on to sell over a million copies and was certified double platinum. Following their success, the group released their second album The Future in 1990, which also charted with successful singles and received platinum as well. Following their nearly decade long split, the group returned with their third album before the 2000s, which charted with their hit single "Dancin'".
Wreckx-n-Effect is an American new jack swing group from Harlem, New York City. They are perhaps best known for their 1992 single "Rump Shaker", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Aaron Robin Hall III is an American singer and songwriter. Hall joined the R&B and new jack swing group Guy in 1988, which was formed by Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling, who was later replaced by Hall's brother, Damion. The group's self-titled debut album (1988) was met with commercial success; Hall provided lead vocals on its songs "Groove Me," "I Like," and "Piece of My Love", among others.
"Love Will Save the Day" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston from her second diamond studio album Whitney (1987). The song was released in May 1988 by Arista Records as the album's fifth single. The song did not have a music video but was still successful, climbing into the US top ten. Written by Toni C and produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, it is one of the uptempo singles on the album that also includes "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "So Emotional".
"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" is a duet recorded between Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, and appeared on Franklin's 1989 album Through the Storm. The song was released on June 10, 1989, as the second single from the album by Arista Records.
"Blood on the Dance Floor" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the first single from the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997). Jackson and Teddy Riley created the track in time for the 1991 release of Dangerous. However, it did not appear on that record and was worked on further for its commercial release in 1997. One interpretation of the song describes a predatory woman named Susie who seduces Jackson before plotting to stab him with a knife. The song's bassline is interpolated from the song "Last Night a DJ Saved my Life" by the group Indeep. The composition explores a variety of genres ranging from funk to new jack swing.
"Something in Common" is a song by American singers Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston, that was featured on Brown's third album, Bobby (1992). The single version was re-recorded and released in December 1993 by MCA, and was also available on Brown's 1993 compilation album Remixes in the Key of B. It was written by Brown and Houston with Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Mark Middleton and Alfred Rosemond, while Riley and L.A. Reid produced it. The song stands as the couple's first musical collaboration and the only song released as a single. It examines two unlikely people coming together as they find "something in common." Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.
"Deep Cover" is the debut solo single by American rapper Dr. Dre and his first track released after the breakup of N.W.A. The track was recorded for the soundtrack of the film Deep Cover by Solar Records and distributed by Epic Records. The song features fellow American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg in his first appearance on a record release. Shortly after the song's release Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg remade the song and released it as "One Eight Seven" under Death Row Records. In 1994 "One Eight Seven" was remixed for the reissue of the Deep Cover soundtrack and retitled "187um".
"I Wanna Be Down" is the debut single of American recording artist Brandy from her self-titled debut album (1994). It was written by musicians Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, with production helmed by the former, it was released on September 5, 1994, by the Atlantic Recording Corporation. The song is a mid-tempo track that features a thunderous beat and light synth riffs. Lyrically, "I Wanna Be Down" describes a flirt with a boy, who Norwood tries to convince of her loveliness.
Bobby is the third studio album by American singer Bobby Brown, released in 1992 by MCA Records. The album continued the R&B/new jack swing sound of its predecessor, Don't Be Cruel. Babyface, L.A. Reid, and Daryl Simmons returned as producers and songwriters, however, Brown also worked with other producers, most notably Teddy Riley, who was considered a pioneer of the new jack swing genre. Riley also co-wrote and produced the majority of the album. Brown had more creative input and control of the album, becoming an executive producer and co-writing seven of the album's thirteen songs. The album received mixed reviews from music critics.
Guy is the 1988 debut studio album by American R&B band Guy. Released on June 14, 1988, by Uptown Records. It was produced by group member Teddy Riley and manager Gene Griffin. The album peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. In July 1994, it was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of two million copies in the United States. In 2007, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the album, Geffen Records reissued the recording complete with a remastered version of the original album and a second CD of remixes.
"Rump Shaker" is a song by American hip-hop group Wreckx-N-Effect. It was released in August 1992 by MCA Records as the lead single from their second album, Hard or Smooth (1992). It features production and guest vocals from Teddy Riley, brother of former Wreckx member Markell Riley. Due to the massive success of Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You," the song did not advance further than No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts. Nevertheless, it peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles, and No. 9 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts.
"Open My Heart" is a song by Yolanda Adams released in 2000. The song gained Adams great popularity in the secular audiences. Being the most groundbreaking single of her career, she won several awards for this song. "Open My Heart" helped her 1999 album Mountain High...Valley Low gain multi-platinum status and reach charts heights not often attained by artists of the gospel genre.
"Heaven Can Wait" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson, originally released on his 2001 studio album Invincible. The song was written by Jackson, Teddy Riley, Andreao "Fanatic" Heard, Nate Smith, Teron Beal, Eritza Laues and Kenny Quiller.
"Before I Let You Go" is a song by American R&B group Blackstreet, recorded for the group's self-titled debut album (1994). The song was released as the third single for the album in November 1994. The song was notable for featuring lead vocals from Dave Hollister who joined the group upon the album's release.
"Joy" is a song by American R&B group Blackstreet. The song was written by Michael Jackson, was released as the fifth single for the group's self-titled debut album Blackstreet (1994).
"Where I Wanna Be" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Shade Sheist featuring Nate Dogg and Kurupt. It was released on October 28, 2000, via MCA Records as the first single from Shade Sheist's debut studio album Informal Introduction. Recording sessions took place at Larrabee West Recording Studios in West Hollywood. Production was handled by Eddie Berkeley and KayGee with Damizza serving as co-producer and presenter.
"Let's Chill" is a song released by American R&B band Guy from the album The Future. Co-written by Bernard Belle and Teddy Riley, it was released as the second single from the album on February 18, 1991. It reached #41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #10 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and #3 on the R&B/Hip-hop singles chart; it was the highest-charting single by Guy on the Hot 100 at the time, not to be beat until 1999's "Dancin'".
"I Go On" is the second and final single from MC Lyte's fourth album Ain't No Other. Produced by Tyrone Fyffe, Franklin Grant and Wreckx-n-Effect's Markell Riley, it was released on November 4, 1993.
