Last night, mega-hit producer Teddy Riley returned to his hometown after more than 20 years and tore down the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem New York City for two sold-out shows.
Apollo presents The Kings and Queens of New Jack Swing Concert was definitely the place to be last night featuring the artists that pioneered that sound.
Celebrating 30 years of New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley and Keith Sweat headlined the show which featured appearances by the artists who topped the charts and remain legends. Taking us on a journey through his number 1 hits, the newly inducted Hollywood Hall of Fame-inductee Teddy Riley proved why he will forever be a pillar in the music industry.
DJ-D Nice had the crowd jumping before the show even started— then casually stepped from behind the turntables to perform his single “My name is D-Nice.” DJ Eddie F murdered his turntables playing classics produced by himself and paid tribute to the great late rapper Heavy D with the audience rapping along to every single lyric.
Kool Moe Dee took us back to the “Wild Wild West” before Al. B. Sure busted out with his old school dances and ran through fan favorites, “If I’m Not Your Lover,” “Nite And Day,” and dedicated his version of “Forever My Lady” to the late Kim Porter.
SWV surprised the crowd with “I’m So Into You,” “Weak,” and “Human Nature” and didn’t miss any of their dance steps as Coko belted out the ladies anthems of the’90s.
Fans erupted when R&B group Today joined Teddy Riley onstage to perform “Him or Me,” Big Bub and the boys sounded and looked just as good as they did when the record was released.
The beautiful and ageless MC Lyte performed “Ruffneck” leaving us wanting more from one of our favorite female MC’s of that era. Teddy kept it going for the females during an emotional introduction of rapper Queen Pen following rumored health issues. She ran through “Party Ain’t A Party” with help from her son as the building stood to their feet.
Teddy Riley took time to thank all the Harlem legends that supported him in his hometown even thanking his uncle who owned ‘Willie’s Burgers’ for funding his first musical equipment. Riley then proceeded to go through a laundry list of his platinum-produced gems before introducing Blackstreet and Dave Hollister—who sounded like a breath fresh air. Running through their number 1’s, “Stay,” “Joy,” “Before I Let You Go,” the group made us miss that old-school soulful sound.
Next, R&B group Guy hit the stage dancing and singing in perfect sync. “Do Me,” “Piece Of My Love,” and “I Like” rang out through the historic venue in Harlem. Aaron Hall’s silky vocals had the ladies crying out as he sang while stripping into a risqué performance.
DJ Chill Will ripped his intro hyping the crowd before Doug E. Fresh annihilated the stage. Certainly claiming his throne as the greatest entertainer, he took the entire building up another notch with his energetic and captivating performance.
Almost as if he’s been frozen in time, the human beatboxer performed “The Show,” “La Di Da Di” and beatboxing classic rap songs before bringing out rapper Lil Vicious to perform their song “Freaks” while the crowd roared. Ending his set in an impeccable breathless beatboxing session with the crowd shouting, “Go Doug E, Go Doug E.!” the Harlem legend finally gave a lesson on the proper way to do the “Dougie.”
Keith Sweat closed the night crooning through “Nobody,” “Make It Last Forever,” and “I Want Her” while fans slow danced and reminisced. The show was impeccable and a non-stop party that lasted for hours. Riley and his Kings and Queens of New Jack Swing proved that originality and talent will forever be in style.
Check out video and photos from the show below!
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Keith Sweat performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Keith Sweat
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Keith Sweat performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Keith Sweat
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Doug E. Fresh performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Doug E. Fresh
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Doug E. Fresh performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Doug E. Fresh
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Doug E. Fresh performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Doug E. Fresh
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley and Doug E. Fresh perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Doug E. Fresh
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Kool Moe Dee performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Kool Moe Dee
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Kool Moe Dee performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Kool Moe Dee
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Kool Moe Dee performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Kool Moe Dee
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: MC Lyte performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** MC Lyte
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: MC Lyte performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** MC Lyte
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Al B Sure performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Al B Sure
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley and Al B Sure perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Al B Sure
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley and Al B Sure perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Al B Sure
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: DJ D-Nice performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** D-Nice
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: DJ D-Nice performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** D-Nice
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: L to R: Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons and Tamara “Taj” George of SWV perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Leanne “Lelee” Lyons; Cheryl “Coko” Clemons; Tamara “Taj” George
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: L to R: Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons and Tamara “Taj” George of SWV perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Leanne “Lelee” Lyons; Cheryl “Coko” Clemons; Tamara “Taj” George
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Vicious performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Vicious
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Vicious performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Vicious
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Vicious and Doug E. Fresh perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Vicious; Doug E. Fresh
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Blackstreet perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Dave Hollister
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: L to R: Damion Hall and Teddy Riley of GUY perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Damion Hall; Teddy Riley
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley, Damion Hall and Aaron Hall of GUY perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Aaron Hall; Damion Hall
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall and Damion Hall of GUY perform at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Teddy Riley; Aaron Hall; Damion Hall
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Aaron Hall of GUY performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Hall
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Damion Hall of GUY performs at The Apollo Theater on December 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shahar Azran/WireImage) *** Local Caption *** Damion Hall
