It’s hard to believe but arguably the greatest producer of a few generations, Teddy Riley has never been honored in his hometown of Harlem, NY. That glaring oversight was rectified on Sunday afternoon as Riley and some of his most famous and successful collaborators, Keith Sweat, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee and Guy member Damion Hall were presented with keys to the city, official proclamations and even made honorary chieftains at a ceremony under the Apollo Theater’s world famous marquee. Sunday night the triumphant contingent headlined non-stop action filled concert that celebrated the New Jack Swing.

“Tonight is gonna be amazing, but I’m in disbelief I am at the Apollo,” Riley said as he took the stage at the first of two shows on Sunday.

The Big Apple born music man served as maestro for the show, staying on stage singing, dancing, hosting, and playing the keyboard for just about the concert’s entirety.

All the stars performed records mostly produced for them by Riley.

Teddy started, backed by dancers and singing his signature theme, “Teddy’s Jam.” He then went into Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” singing chorus in auto tune.

Riley then made way for the man his nicknamed “The General.”

While all of the acts wore Black Sunday evening, Moe Dee came out clad in cocaine white from head to toe except his trademarked shades.

Moe Dee hit the audience with a three piece of classics from the 80s, “Do You Know What Time It Is,” “Go See The Doctor” “How You Like Me Now,” and of course his biggest record “Wild Wild West.” The matter of course talked about living in Harlem right by the Apollo.

MC Lyte followed with a brief set of “Paper Thing” and “Ruff Neck.” She talked about going down to Virginia Beach, VA to meet Riley and work on the records.

The vibe went from BK to Uptown Mount Vernon and The Bronx. Al B. Sure had a short stint where he sang a piece of Joedeci’s “Forever My Lady” (a song he originally wrote) to the recently passed Kim Porter.

DJ’s D-Nice and Eddie F quarterbacked a tribute to one of Riley’s closest friends, Heavy D, highlight by a dance tribute to “Now That We Found Love” ft. Aaron Hall.

“We’re not afraid of anything,” Teddy, returning to stage, would say minutes later. “We don’t fear anybody but God.”

SWV amped the energy in the building up a few notches. “I’m So Into You,” “Weak” and “Right Here” were all winners by the trio.

The reigns of the show returned to TR as he brought out both of his group in separate sets. First was Blackstreet, whose lineup has changed several times throughout the last two decades, but Riley always seems to find pristine vocalist to keep the group’s integrity. And while Blackstreet now features two NewJacks in place of original members Levi Little and Chauncey Black, harmonious heavyweight Dave Hollister is back in the fold and serves as the group anchor and big gun.

“Don’t Leave Me” and “Joy” were sang with a passion and urgency as if the quartet’s lives were in the line to get cheers. The crowd applauded and stood in awe at some points of how flawless and powerful the team’s vocals were. “Joy,” a song originally where ChaunceyBlack would shine, was a tag team effort on Sunday with the group showing precise chemistry. The tempo went up, for their closer “No Diggity” and Blackstreet’s voices remained immaculate as the Apollo began to dance.

As one group exited, Guy’s set started just about immediately after as Damion and Aaron Hall joined Riley on stage. They kept the party going with “Groove Me.” Teddy and The Hall’s then focused on the ballads. The crowd sang along with ardor for “Bye Bye Love,” “Piece of my Love” and “Let’s Chill.” These weren’t just R&B chart toppers back in their 80s and early 90s heydays. There were anthems that started in New York made by New York artists. Hearing Aaron Hall’s voice on those records on Sunday transported you back to that time.

“I gotta get a break,” one lady said after Guy’s finale of “I Like.” The record had everyone out of their seats and dancing. “That was fantastic.”

Riley however wasn’t prepared to stop. The onslaught of hits continued.

“The party ain’t over. The party ain’t over,” the legendary producer insisted.

“Doug E. Fresh came out for “The Show” and brought Lil Vicious for “Freaks.”

Keith Sweat was last in the parade of stars, paying homage to Johnny Kemp as he started with “Just Got Paid.” The record is Kemp’s biggest hit but few people remember Sweat wrote the song and Riley produced it.

“Somebody turn my s--t up,” Sweat said about his mic. There were problems throughout the show with the mics, but it didn’t impede the concert.

Sweat walked in the audience down the soles and serenaded the ladies on “Nobody.” And after “Make It Last Forever,” the singer jokingly addressed the elephant in the room.

“I heard the s--t y’all used to talk about me back in the day,” he laughed. “How I like to beg and s--t. Where all my single ladies at? Where all my ladies that wanna be single at?”

During another break to fix the mics, Sweat assured the audience he is always the real thing.

“Ain’t no lip syncing going on,” Sweat said with is raspy tone. He then looked down to a woman in the front row.

You like this s--t baby? I sound just like my record.”

The New Jack Swing show ended like a family BBQ with most of the acts returning to the stage together as Sweat sang Cameo’s “Candy.” As Aaron Hall came out, Sweat grabbed his hand, walked Hall to the front and both sang the lyrics made famous by Larry Blackmon.

“It's like candy./You sure are sweet
You're so dandy./You're taking my appetite, but it's all right./It's like candy./You look real nice, wrapped up tight./You're so dandy
You're giving me a heart attack
It's the kind I like.”

Right after the show, the crowd was whisked outside because Riley and company had a second concert scheduled just minutes after the first one ended. Obviously that show started a little behind schedule.

Ariana Grande’s got a lot to be happy about this time of year – a least, career-wise. The Grammy-nominated album Sweetener was her 3rd #1 album, she’s already moving on to even more hit music, teasing an upcoming album called Thank U, Next, and Billboard just named her the Woman of The Year.

But as Ari admits in the speech above, "I find it interesting that this has been one of the best years of my career and the worst of my life. A lot of people would look at someone in my position right now as an artist that could be at her peak and think, 'She’s really got her shit together, she's really on it. She’s got it all.' And I do, but as far as my personal life goes, I really have no idea what the fuck I’m doing.”

She laughed off her comment, but quickly followed up with a message of hope for her fans: "It's been a very conflicting one, and I just want to say if you're someone out there who has no idea what this next chapter is going to bring, you’re not alone in that.”

As I mentioned above, Ariana managed to pull down two Grammy nominations for 2019 – Best Pop Solo Performance for "God Is A Woman", and Best Pop Vocal Album for Sweetener. Get details on all the nominees on Slacker’s Grammy Awards 2019 station!