Teddy Riley in New York

Teddy Riley is an American producer, songwriter and performer born in Harlem in 1967. He helped establish new jack swing, an R&B style driven by hip-hop rhythms, and founded the groups Guy and Blackstreet. His best-known work includes Guy’s “Groove Me,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity,” and production for Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,” Keith Sweat’s “I Want Her” and Michael Jackson’s album Dangerous. Guy performed on New Edition’s Heart Break Tour in 1988, bringing Teddy Riley’s early group repertoire to arenas. He later presented the Teddy Riley & Friends concert at the Apollo Theater in 2016, featuring performers connected to new jack swing, and led another celebration of the style at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in 2019.

DJ Jazzy Jeff is an American DJ, producer and turntablist born in Philadelphia in 1965. He became known as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince with Will Smith, recording hits including “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime.” His solo work includes the album The Magnificent. The 1988 Run’s House Tour placed DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince on the road with Run-D.M.C. and Public Enemy. He later performed with Will Smith at Live 8 outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2005, and the pair reunited again for Livewire Festival in Blackpool in 2017.