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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 4 december 2018

Teddy Riley readies 'emotional' return to Apollo in Harlem

By MESFIN FEKADU the R&B classic "No Diggity" ous" album and also craft- Kissing Game)," which hit the Apollo, dubbed "The
Associated Press — and also shined behind ing hits like Johnny Kemp's No. 1 on the pop charts. Kings and Queens of New
NEW YORK (AP) — Teddy Ri- the scenes as a producer "Just Got Paid," Wreckx-N- Riley, along with R&B ma- Jack Swing." It will also fea-
ley is on the brink of tears. and songwriter, co-pro- Effect's "Rump Shaker" and ven Keith Sweat, will head- ture Doug E. Fresh, Kool
Happy tears. ducing Jackson's "Danger- Hi-Five's "I Like the Way (The line two shows Sunday at Moe Dee, Al B. Sure, MC
The singer and producer Lyte as well as members of
behind hits for Michael Guy and Blackstreet.
Jackson says now that he's "I'm performing around the
just days away from his big corner from where I was
show at the Apollo Theater raised. And all the guys can
— a return to his hometown say that — Kool Moe Dee,
in Harlem after more than Doug E. Fresh and Keith
20 years — he's struck with Sweat," Riley said. "I get
emotion, and fans will see emotional, and I may be
that onstage."I get really emotional on that stage.
emotional because I'm in Some of the things that will
such disbelief. I'm from the happen is going to bring
projects, man. To make it emotions. But it's going to
out of the projects, not too bring happiness. New Jack
many people could say Swing always brought hap-
that," said Riley, who grew piness, and that's what
up near the Apollo. "It's go- we're about."
ing to be tears of joy." Riley has also produced
Riley, 51, spearheaded songs for Lady Gaga, Bob-
the New Jack Swing era in by Brown, Heavy D and the
music in the '80s and '90s, Boyz, and Robin Thicke. He
bringing on a new and hit- said he used to watch fa-
making sound that domi- mous performers go inside
nated radio and the charts. the back of the Apollo as
He sang in the successful a kid from his school, which
groups Guy and Blackstreet In this July 8, 2018 file photo, Teddy Riley performs at the 2018 Essence Festival in New Orleans. inspired him to become a
— winning a Grammy for Associated Press musician.q