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Remember the Times: A Memoir
Grammy Award–winning R&B and hip-hop legend Teddy Riley recounts his journey from growing up in the projects in Harlem to inventing the genre New Jack Swing, selling out shows at Madison Square Garden, and creating music for Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, and more.
Since the early ’80s, Teddy Riley has revolutionized the music industry, from his creation of New Jack Swing to his work in R&B, hip-hop, gospel, soul, and pop that forever changed the industry. His profound influence still resonates today, and he has been inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, awarded the Soul Train Legend Award and given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, Riley—with coauthor, award-winning biographer Jake Brown—lifts the curtain on his fascinating and inspiring journey with this unforgettable memoir of talent, resilience, collaboration, betrayal, and creativity.
With heart and humor, Riley reflects on his beginnings as musical prodigy growing up in Harlem and the highs and lows of working with some of the biggest names in the industry. From masterminding his own acclaimed groups, such as Guy and Blackstreet, to producing groundbreaking hits such as Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” and writing and producing with legends like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, and more, Riley takes us on a remarkable journey that parallels the explosion of new genres and Black influence in the contemporary music landscape.
Remember the Times also candidly illustrates the evolution of popular music through the ’80s to today, taking us behind the scenes directly from the man who grew “to define the sound and reinvigorate contemporary R&B and hip-hop” (Mixdown Magazine, Australia).
Since the early ’80s, Teddy Riley has revolutionized the music industry, from his creation of New Jack Swing to his work in R&B, hip-hop, gospel, soul, and pop that forever changed the industry. His profound influence still resonates today, and he has been inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, awarded the Soul Train Legend Award and given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, Riley—with coauthor, award-winning biographer Jake Brown—lifts the curtain on his fascinating and inspiring journey with this unforgettable memoir of talent, resilience, collaboration, betrayal, and creativity.
With heart and humor, Riley reflects on his beginnings as musical prodigy growing up in Harlem and the highs and lows of working with some of the biggest names in the industry. From masterminding his own acclaimed groups, such as Guy and Blackstreet, to producing groundbreaking hits such as Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” and writing and producing with legends like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, and more, Riley takes us on a remarkable journey that parallels the explosion of new genres and Black influence in the contemporary music landscape.
Remember the Times also candidly illustrates the evolution of popular music through the ’80s to today, taking us behind the scenes directly from the man who grew “to define the sound and reinvigorate contemporary R&B and hip-hop” (Mixdown Magazine, Australia).
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
16 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 13, 2026
Put Some Respeck on His Name
I’m biased. I’m a music girly. I’m a deep cut girly. I’m a 90s R&B/hip hop girly. I went into this literally starving for the music history he would drop. This man is a musical genius. He is an absolute musical treasure. He’s my favorite artists’ favorite producer. This book was a dope résumé rundown for anyone that didn’t see, nor acknowledge his greatness. This book was a reminder that Teddy Riley is a generational talent. He created some of the greatest songs that you’ve ever chosen for the soundtrack of your life. This was Teddy’s story, but it was also the setlist for the best times of my life. Let me go update my playlists.
I’m biased. I’m a music girly. I’m a deep cut girly. I’m a 90s R&B/hip hop girly. I went into this literally starving for the music history he would drop. This man is a musical genius. He is an absolute musical treasure. He’s my favorite artists’ favorite producer. This book was a dope résumé rundown for anyone that didn’t see, nor acknowledge his greatness. This book was a reminder that Teddy Riley is a generational talent. He created some of the greatest songs that you’ve ever chosen for the soundtrack of your life. This was Teddy’s story, but it was also the setlist for the best times of my life. Let me go update my playlists.
February 16, 2026
All I have to say is that you mean to tell me Teddy Riley could have been on the “Bad” album & we were robbed of that?!
Also, I knew how influential in the music industry Teddy Riley was, but I also didn’t know. The man is a legend.
Also, I knew how influential in the music industry Teddy Riley was, but I also didn’t know. The man is a legend.
February 22, 2026
While I listened to this book I could hear the sounds of New Jack swing playing in my head. I would say this book was like being taken to the past if I didn’t listen to this style of music almost daily.
I was able to learn so much from Teddy’s book. He was from humble beginnings and has maintained that humility throughout his life. His mom always knew he’d be a star and she was right.
I loved learning where the new Jack swing sound came from and how he developed it. There were so many artists sounds (MJ, and Pharrell) and songs (Make it Last Forever, and Remember the Time!!!) that I had no idea were Teddy Riley. He has his hand in so many songs and albums that are solidified as songs that will be played forever.
I loved hearing about how Guy, Blackstreet and so many other things were formed. I was blown away when I learned that Keith Swear’s Make it Last Forever album was developed by Teddy Riley. It explained so much.
I loved his honesty about issues he has had legally with not getting money he was owed and having people put their name on songs that were his that they had no part in. He spoke about issues he’s had with his children, even having to take one to court. He gave credit to Gene Griffin for being the reason he never went down the wrong path the way a lot of artists do. This was after essentially having to start over because Gene signed him to a deal where he was taking all of his money. Then years later at the end of Gene’s life when he was dealing with Alzheimer’s, Teddy still showed up.
Teddy Riley is without a doubt a musical genius that has left one or the biggest marks on music and he is owed all the credit.
The only thing I would change is I wish he had narrated this himself!
I was able to learn so much from Teddy’s book. He was from humble beginnings and has maintained that humility throughout his life. His mom always knew he’d be a star and she was right.
I loved learning where the new Jack swing sound came from and how he developed it. There were so many artists sounds (MJ, and Pharrell) and songs (Make it Last Forever, and Remember the Time!!!) that I had no idea were Teddy Riley. He has his hand in so many songs and albums that are solidified as songs that will be played forever.
I loved hearing about how Guy, Blackstreet and so many other things were formed. I was blown away when I learned that Keith Swear’s Make it Last Forever album was developed by Teddy Riley. It explained so much.
I loved his honesty about issues he has had legally with not getting money he was owed and having people put their name on songs that were his that they had no part in. He spoke about issues he’s had with his children, even having to take one to court. He gave credit to Gene Griffin for being the reason he never went down the wrong path the way a lot of artists do. This was after essentially having to start over because Gene signed him to a deal where he was taking all of his money. Then years later at the end of Gene’s life when he was dealing with Alzheimer’s, Teddy still showed up.
Teddy Riley is without a doubt a musical genius that has left one or the biggest marks on music and he is owed all the credit.
The only thing I would change is I wish he had narrated this himself!
February 12, 2026
I happened to read this book a week or two after watching a Quincy Jones documentary, and there were interesting echoes throughout, particularly around innovation, studio culture, and the shaping of modern Black music. Like Quincy, Riley comes across as both craftsman and cultural architect.
The book traces Teddy’s journey from a child prodigy growing up in Harlem, immersed in church and neighborhood music scenes, to becoming the pioneering force behind New Jack Swing, the seamless fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop that defined late ’80s and early ’90s radio. He recounts his early days with Kids at Work, his breakthrough production with Keith Sweat (Make It Last Forever), the formation of Guy, and later Blackstreet. Of course, a major highlight is his work on Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album, where his harder-edged, rhythm-driven sound helped reshape MJ’s musical direction in the ’90s.
It’s an easy, accessible read. The chapters are short and tightly structured, each offering a self-contained memory or studio story. The format makes it highly digestible so I moved through it quickly, which is always a good sign. There are plenty of name-checks, quotes, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes involving major figures in the industry, giving readers small but satisfying glimpses into pivotal cultural moments.
What stands out most is Riley’s quiet confidence in his craft. He doesn’t overstate his influence, yet the cumulative effect of the stories reminds you just how deeply his sound shaped popular music, from Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel to SWV, Heavy D, and beyond. You can hear the lineage of New Jack Swing in so much of what followed in contemporary R&B and pop production.
If I have a reservation, it’s that the memoir sometimes feels a little glossy. Given the volatility of the music business, the financial disputes, label politics, group tensions (particularly around Guy), and the pressures of rapid fame, I suspect the lived reality was harder, more stressful, and more complex than the book fully captures. The edges occasionally feel smoothed over. I found myself wondering about the emotional and personal toll behind the achievements.
That said, as the story of a musical innovator who helped define the sound of a generation, it’s absolutely worthwhile. Riley isn’t just recounting a career — he’s documenting the birth of a genre and the evolution of modern R&B. For anyone interested in music history, studio culture, or the mechanics of influence in popular culture over the last 30–40 years, Remember the Times is an engaging and valuable read and I thank the publisher and author for giving me a copy of this book to read and review.
The book traces Teddy’s journey from a child prodigy growing up in Harlem, immersed in church and neighborhood music scenes, to becoming the pioneering force behind New Jack Swing, the seamless fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop that defined late ’80s and early ’90s radio. He recounts his early days with Kids at Work, his breakthrough production with Keith Sweat (Make It Last Forever), the formation of Guy, and later Blackstreet. Of course, a major highlight is his work on Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album, where his harder-edged, rhythm-driven sound helped reshape MJ’s musical direction in the ’90s.
It’s an easy, accessible read. The chapters are short and tightly structured, each offering a self-contained memory or studio story. The format makes it highly digestible so I moved through it quickly, which is always a good sign. There are plenty of name-checks, quotes, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes involving major figures in the industry, giving readers small but satisfying glimpses into pivotal cultural moments.
What stands out most is Riley’s quiet confidence in his craft. He doesn’t overstate his influence, yet the cumulative effect of the stories reminds you just how deeply his sound shaped popular music, from Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel to SWV, Heavy D, and beyond. You can hear the lineage of New Jack Swing in so much of what followed in contemporary R&B and pop production.
If I have a reservation, it’s that the memoir sometimes feels a little glossy. Given the volatility of the music business, the financial disputes, label politics, group tensions (particularly around Guy), and the pressures of rapid fame, I suspect the lived reality was harder, more stressful, and more complex than the book fully captures. The edges occasionally feel smoothed over. I found myself wondering about the emotional and personal toll behind the achievements.
That said, as the story of a musical innovator who helped define the sound of a generation, it’s absolutely worthwhile. Riley isn’t just recounting a career — he’s documenting the birth of a genre and the evolution of modern R&B. For anyone interested in music history, studio culture, or the mechanics of influence in popular culture over the last 30–40 years, Remember the Times is an engaging and valuable read and I thank the publisher and author for giving me a copy of this book to read and review.
February 23, 2026
Teddy Riley is the pride of Harlem! Before reading Remember the Times: A Memoir by Teddy Riley and Jake Brown, I thought Teddy Riley was merely the mad scientist behind GUY. GUY was fly, so fly I had zero tolerance for GUY knockoffs, trying to dress like GUY, move like GUY, or sound like they were trying to mimic Aaron Hall. So, I knew Teddy was that guy who made GUY hot and later Wreckx-N-Effect, Blackstreet, and would later lend his talents to produce Michael Jackson’s eighth studio album, Dangerous. Little did I know, Teddy was the genius behind Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show” and the secret sauce, creating the soundtrack to the most fun years of my life.
Now, Teddy’s Remember the Times: A Memoir offers so much insight and context. I didn’t realize Teddy was so young at the time. Or that he wasn’t reaping the full benefits from the fruits of his labor, (and why), while his sound was righteous, the money was funny. Or that despite a proper church upbringing and an adoring, overprotective mom, even Teddy could have succumbed to the lures and threats of his environment. Even though those same Harlem streets helped him forge elements of Gospel, Soul, Funk, Blues, Swing, Go-go, Jazz, and Disco into something magical.
The collaboration between Teddy and Michael Jackson only made sense. Back then, I was a kid, too! All I could say to that was, “Michael Jackson’s next album is going to be HOT! Better than BAD!” I’m probably in the minority, but “Can’t Let Her Get Away” was my favorite jam. I am not a basketball fan, but to me, “Jam” was almost equally hypnotic.
Now that I have read his memoir as an overprotective mom myself, certain details of Teddy’s journey were deeply troubling. Despite that, I am glad his music never suffered and that his pain somehow fueled his ingenuity. New Jack Swing remains his very own legacy, immortalized in 2019 with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. From Harlem to Hollywood! Bravo, Teddy Riley!
Now, Teddy’s Remember the Times: A Memoir offers so much insight and context. I didn’t realize Teddy was so young at the time. Or that he wasn’t reaping the full benefits from the fruits of his labor, (and why), while his sound was righteous, the money was funny. Or that despite a proper church upbringing and an adoring, overprotective mom, even Teddy could have succumbed to the lures and threats of his environment. Even though those same Harlem streets helped him forge elements of Gospel, Soul, Funk, Blues, Swing, Go-go, Jazz, and Disco into something magical.
The collaboration between Teddy and Michael Jackson only made sense. Back then, I was a kid, too! All I could say to that was, “Michael Jackson’s next album is going to be HOT! Better than BAD!” I’m probably in the minority, but “Can’t Let Her Get Away” was my favorite jam. I am not a basketball fan, but to me, “Jam” was almost equally hypnotic.
Now that I have read his memoir as an overprotective mom myself, certain details of Teddy’s journey were deeply troubling. Despite that, I am glad his music never suffered and that his pain somehow fueled his ingenuity. New Jack Swing remains his very own legacy, immortalized in 2019 with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. From Harlem to Hollywood! Bravo, Teddy Riley!
February 17, 2026
*SINGS: JAM, OOOOH JAM, JAAAAAAM— TEDDY JAM FOR MEEEE, YEAH!!!*
-HUUUNEEEEY, I HAD NO EARTHLY IDEA!!! Wake me up TED cause ya girl Lex has been ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL!!
-I’m living for these little nuggets about the stars we love L-I-V-I-N-G!!!
-Teddy’s first Grammy being MJ’s Dangerous is NUTS! They didn’t even nominate “Remember the Time” UGH!
-Teddy sounds like such a sweetheart, wow!
-Whitney produces herself. IKTR, Tuh 💚!
-So Teddy gave us Rodney AND Pharrell?!?! I love it!! Technically Robert, Blackstreet, Guy, Kool Mo Dee, Heavy D 😍 and the Keith that we love (+) too. A LEGEND!!!
-Not, he frequently sang flat… 👀 ouch! I was never into him IYKYK.
-YOU BETTER RUN YOUR CREDITSSSSSS TEDDY!!! PURRR.
-I love Snoop Dogg. FOREVER.
-Ted went from 150K to 1M followers… nice!!
-“Teddy doin too much” is HILARIOUS!!!
Above are my realtime notes lol! I loved this memoir GR fam. Ted is a jewel that we MUST CHERISH!! I remember the verzus and thinking to myself… he can’t hold a candle to THEEE FACE but he shut me UP. While she’s an AVID musician and music head… keeping it a buck, I NEVER knew he produced/wrote Remember The Time— arguably one of MJ’s biggest songs. I was simply enamored by the video like the rest of the world. Plus, he gave BOB all that ‘Tude as if we couldn’t love him more lol! TED’s name drops… immaculate!!! The best part tho, is that he’s STILL moving and shaking in the industry. Humble. Sweet. With a gang of HITS! I wish you many many more blessings & successes Ted, you deserve brother!!!
-HUUUNEEEEY, I HAD NO EARTHLY IDEA!!! Wake me up TED cause ya girl Lex has been ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL!!
-I’m living for these little nuggets about the stars we love L-I-V-I-N-G!!!
-Teddy’s first Grammy being MJ’s Dangerous is NUTS! They didn’t even nominate “Remember the Time” UGH!
-Teddy sounds like such a sweetheart, wow!
-Whitney produces herself. IKTR, Tuh 💚!
-So Teddy gave us Rodney AND Pharrell?!?! I love it!! Technically Robert, Blackstreet, Guy, Kool Mo Dee, Heavy D 😍 and the Keith that we love (+) too. A LEGEND!!!
-Not, he frequently sang flat… 👀 ouch! I was never into him IYKYK.
-YOU BETTER RUN YOUR CREDITSSSSSS TEDDY!!! PURRR.
-I love Snoop Dogg. FOREVER.
-Ted went from 150K to 1M followers… nice!!
-“Teddy doin too much” is HILARIOUS!!!
Above are my realtime notes lol! I loved this memoir GR fam. Ted is a jewel that we MUST CHERISH!! I remember the verzus and thinking to myself… he can’t hold a candle to THEEE FACE but he shut me UP. While she’s an AVID musician and music head… keeping it a buck, I NEVER knew he produced/wrote Remember The Time— arguably one of MJ’s biggest songs. I was simply enamored by the video like the rest of the world. Plus, he gave BOB all that ‘Tude as if we couldn’t love him more lol! TED’s name drops… immaculate!!! The best part tho, is that he’s STILL moving and shaking in the industry. Humble. Sweet. With a gang of HITS! I wish you many many more blessings & successes Ted, you deserve brother!!!
February 13, 2026
Although I enjoyed Teddy's autobiography because I absolutely adore his music and appreciate his contribution to the "New Jack Swing" era, I rated it a 4 because I feel as though he could have went much deeper into his story and been more vulnerable concerning his career. In addition, he should have narrated his autobiography himself to allow the reader to connect even deeper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
I've immensely enjoyed this book. Very informative and oh so NOSTALGIC. It was like rummaging through his whole career!
February 24, 2026
This was a fun look back at New Jack Swing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews