The New Jack Swing Legacy: Why Teddy Riley Says Streaming Is Robbing Artists

The Architect of Sound Speaks Out In a recent interview on My Expert Opinion with Math Hoffa, the legendary Teddy Riley—the influential figure behind New Jack Swing and hits for Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and Blackstreet—didn't hold back. His message was clear and direct: "Streaming is robbing us!!!" Riley, who has shaped the sound of modern R&B and Hip-Hop for over three decades, pulled back the curtain on the challenging reality of the digital music era. Despite billions of streams worldwide, the "architect" revealed that the current industry model is designed to keep creators in a cycle of financial struggle while platforms and labels reap the rewards.