I was just browsing the web and didn't expect to find anything interesting until i came across this interesting artice and interview with Teddy Riley. Michael Jackson is mentioned, including specific reference and question to his upcoming album. Riley doesn't exactly sound confident that Michael is taking the project seriously. The interview is only a few weeks old. Below is the Michael Jackson related exerpt:


BallerStatus.com: As an artist, what has been your greatest career achievement?

Teddy Riley: My biggest achievement was the "Hip-Hop Honors." I mean for me, the latest achievement. But, as far as making records, the Michael Jackson project.

BallerStatus.com: Speaking of Michael, is there any truth to the rumor that you are working on his highly anticipated return to the spotlight?

Teddy Riley: Well, I can only say I'm waiting. If it comes around, definitely. I have much, much, a lot of respect for Michael Jackson, so... and, he's my good friend. If he needs me, I'm there. If he doesn't... because a lot of people, they're with the producers who are now, and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I wish him the best in that area. I know what I can do, and everyone still says that he should do records with me and Quincy [Jones], and the real guys who make records. The thing about it is in this business, you can make records until you're 80. Quincy still has it, and he still has the resources to the best guys. He called me on the scene. So, I know what I can do being with Michael. I am still waiting, you know, to figure out if he's gonna really do this because a lot of people just don't think he's serious.



So, despite claims that he IS already working on or has already worked on the project, it doesn't seem as though he has.

Source: http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/03/4274/ / Damien @ Maximum Jackson (http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=28910#post28910)

thanks for the info...

~* jennifer *~

you're welcome

Damn ... I wish Michael would get more serious about the project then...

sounds like someone is bitter cause they havnt had the phonecall. hes been like this in several interviews.guess it doesnt help that hes broke and has lost his recording studio etc

Don't wanna be a *******,but I really hope yours is true, outsiderinsider rather than mine, lol!

Well, Damo, I posted a couple of Teddy Riley interviews in Come Together not long after we opened and Teddy did talk about working on Michael's new album.

This is from his interview with undergroundsoul.com in 2006:

Teddy: I have to go work with Michael Jackson and I have to work on these Blackstreet and Guy albums. With Michael Jackson, if we could do a 4th quarter, which I doubt, it’ll happen. If not we’ll definitely do a 2nd quarter next year.

Greg: Are there other people working with Michael Jackson on his record or just yourself?

Teddy: There will be other people working on there but he’s looking at me doing some quarterbacking on the project. I’m probably the one who is gonna foresee this project going forward on the music technology production side getting everybody to finish their projects, and hopefully he designates me to be that quarterback.

And his interview with Lucy Diamonds discussing the VH-1 Hip Hop Honours and working with Michael Jackson in 2007:

Lucy Diamonds: There have been rumors going around the news that you and Will.i.am are both working on the new Michael Jackson album? Any truth to that?

Teddy Riley: Yes, it's true Michael and I are supposed to be working together. I don't know exactly which direction Michael is going in right now, but when the call comes in, I'm there.

http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2007/08/3028/

And this one on Sound Generator in 2007:

Moving onto the Teddy Riley situation, with an announcement coming this month that Riley was involved in producing the entirety of Jackson's comeback set, which is still reportedly on course for a 2007 release. In a statement at the beginning of the year, Riley revealed he was spearheading a New Jack Swing revival - a musical style he had helped pioneer in the mid-1990's with BLACKstreet and SWV. Most of the acts involved are set to release new music next year under Riley's guise, with a big tour also planned.

http://www.soundgenerator.com/viewArticle.cfm?ArticleID=8142

Confusion on top of confusion...:blink:

Complete Teddy Riley interviews here: http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=531&highlight=teddy+riley

theres no real confusion. look at the wording. of the quote below for example. hes claiming hes working with mj then says im just waiting for the call. seems someone counted his chickens before they hatched

Teddy Riley: Yes, it's true Michael and I are supposed to be working together. I don't know exactly which direction Michael is going in right now, but when the call comes in, I'm there.

See the last one with an "announcement" that Riley was involved in producing the entirety of MJ's comeback set, as it was called by Sound Generator in 2007.

that's great news...thanks 4 posting

Riley might have counted his chickens or that stuff was bluff. He talked about working with MJ quite a bit between 2006 & 2007.

Equally possible he hasn't worked with him. :hmm:

Awsome! thanks for the news!!

thanks for the newsssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!

Riley might have counted his chickens or that stuff was bluff. He talked about working with MJ quite a bit between 2006 & 2007.

Equally possible he hasn't worked with him. :hmm:

He always said he was "supposed" to be working on Mike's stuff and he was just waiting for the call. Seems that today he still has not got it, therefor thinking MJ aint serious. Perhaps Teddy missed out this time. I'd hate for him to not have a chance to be involved. MJ and Teddy make wonderful music and Teddy knows it.

1st time Teddy said "I have to go work with Michael Jackson" - sounds like a definite.

2nd time he says "Yes, it's true. Michael and me are supposed to be working together...when the call comes, I'm there."

3rd time...well, no call. :laughing:

I'd prefer MJ to work with Riley.

IMO, Will doesn't and can't make timeless music...are those remixes a sign of things to come with Will?? "I like the way I rock" is irritating, silly, very teeny and stupid. :hmm:

1st time Teddy said "I have to go work with Michael Jackson" - sounds like a definite.

2nd time he says "Yes, it's true. Michael and me are supposed to be working together...when the call comes, I'm there."

3rd time...well, no call. :laughing:

I'd prefer MJ to work with Riley.

IMO, Will doesn't and can't make timeless music...are those remixes a sign of things to come with Will?? "I like the way I rock" is irritating, silly, very teeny and stupid. :hmm:

I do agree, but i dont think the Thriller remixes will reflect the new album. I love them for what they are, remixes.

Will doesnt make timeless music for himself thats for sure, however, if MJ is telling him to dig deep, make melodies that will last a lifetime, he will do what he is told.

At the end of the day, Michael is the one who will be thinking up the melodies, humming or singing them to will.i.am, and will.i.am will be creating the sound Michael has described. Its different to Thriller 25.

Thriller 25 is OTHER people putting their touches on existing classics. The classics are already timeless - the remixes never really stood a chance of being timeless and i dont think they ever wanted them to be. Will.i.am even admitted that HE made the tunes alone in Brasil. And sent them to Michael via MP3 online (possibly how they leaked so early).

Thriller 25 was made pretty much in a month or so. That's not very long. But to remix somethin that already exists doesnt take long. There is no need to create anything. Its all about re-creating.

The NEW album has been in the works for years. Riley may well have worked on music FOR Michael but not WITH Michael.

Big Chuck (uncle of Neff-U) re: Michael's new album tracks
(Michael is) ready to take over the world. He's got some hot records. Will.I.Am did one, Teddy Riley (did one). We're giving Michael a lot of edgy street records. He's putting melodies to some hard party records.

Riley's name comes up here. Who knows. I'd LOVE it to happen. Michael and Riley.

^^^MJ told Rodney Jerkins to dig deep and make melodies that will last a lifetime. We know Rodney didn't - only We've Had Enough stands up.

Will is like RJ - a hip producer who only knows about making a hit, not timeless music. If you can make timeless music, you'd make it anyway not just cos MJ is working with you. I just don't like Will much now...like Rodney, he's very of his own time. And those remixes were naff - "Will.I.AM rolling non-stop with the King of Pop!" God - lame, that. :hmm:

I'm hoping Will's stuff doesn't actually make the cut. Teddy Riley is a better bet for MJ and they do gel musically.

^^^MJ told Rodney Jerkins to dig deep and make melodies that will last a lifetime. We know Rodney didn't - only We've Had Enough stands up.

Will is like RJ - a hip producer who only knows about making a hit, not timeless music. If you can make timeless music, you'd make it anyway not just cos MJ is working with you. I just don't like Will much now...like Rodney, he's very of his own time. And those remixes were naff - "Will.I.AM rolling non-stop with the King of Pop!" God - lame, that. :hmm:

I'm hoping Will's stuff doesn't actually make the cut. Teddy Riley is a better bet for MJ and they do gel musically.


[Rap: Shaquille O'Neal]
Life's about a dream
I'm really undefeated when MJ is on my team, theme
Reality brings forth realizm
It's the man of steel organizm, twizm
Not from the prizm, take charge like manilla
Nine five shaq represent with the Thrilla
Grab my crotch, twist my knee, then I'm through
Mike's bad, I'm bad
Who are you

Lame, but a rap from one of my favourite Michael Jackson songs lol!

Haha! Good ol` Shaq!

[Rap: Shaquille O'Neal]
Life's about a dream
I'm really undefeated when MJ is on my team, theme
Reality brings forth realizm
It's the man of steel organizm, twizm
Not from the prizm, take charge like manilla
Nine five shaq represent with the Thrilla
Grab my crotch, twist my knee, then I'm through
Mike's bad, I'm bad
Who are you

Lame, but a rap from one of my favourite Michael Jackson songs lol!

I freaking love that rap! It's so hilarious! :laughing:

I do agree, but i dont think the Thriller remixes will reflect the new album. I love them for what they are, remixes.

Will doesnt make timeless music for himself thats for sure, however, if MJ is telling him to dig deep, make melodies that will last a lifetime, he will do what he is told.


Riley's name comes up here. Who knows. I'd LOVE it to happen. Michael and Riley.

^^^MJ told Rodney Jerkins to dig deep and make melodies that will last a lifetime. We know Rodney didn't - only We've Had Enough stands up.

Will is like RJ - a hip producer who only knows about making a hit, not timeless music. If you can make timeless music, you'd make it anyway not just cos MJ is working with you. I just don't like Will much now...like Rodney, he's very of his own time. And those remixes were naff - "Will.I.AM rolling non-stop with the King of Pop!" God - lame, that. :hmm:

I'm hoping Will's stuff doesn't actually make the cut. Teddy Riley is a better bet for MJ and they do gel musically.

You two are spot on. Riley's stuff will stand the test of time. I do love Invincible, but not many people will be playing it in 20 years.

Jam and many other songs on Dangerous could be released today and not sound dated.

Like Gary said, most of todays big producers (will.i.am, Timbaland) make hits not long term songs. I think The Neptunes are different, some of their stuff will last and outside Riley, I'd love to hear MJ team up with them, if only for one or two tracks on the album.

Having said that, some Black Eyed Peas stuff is very good.

I do worry (hopefuly unnecessarily) about MJ teaming up with will and Akon, just like I worry about Madonna teaming up with Timbaland. It depends on how much control MJ gives them. I have a feeling that on Invincible he gave up too much control and thats why it sounds different from his other albums, not enough tracks sound like classic Jackson.

But he seems much stronger than 10 years ago and hopefully he's fully in control.

Once it concerns Teddy, i don't have doubts... whether interviews show any different or not, he is still in the game with MJ.

Thriller 25 was made pretty much in a month or so. That's not very long. But to remix somethin that already exists doesnt take long. There is no need to create anything. Its all about re-creating.

The NEW album has been in the works for years. Riley may well have worked on music FOR Michael but not WITH Michae

that's true...

~* jennifer *~

I just think Teddy doesn't want to be a big mouth like some artists who worked for T25. LOL
Since Dangerous is my fav album, I hope Teddy is doing something for the new album

^^^Teddy's gone from saying he's working with Michael to he hasn't worked with Michael. He's been talking about working with MJ on the new album since early 2006! :laugh:

^^^Teddy's gone from saying he's working with Michael to he hasn't worked with Michael. He's been talking about working with MJ on the new album since early 2006! :laugh:

hes been talking about waiting for calls since 06, but never claims to have phyisically sat down with MJ and made tunes

^^^May 2006 - "I have to go work with Michael Jackson." --> That is not about waiting for MJ to call him to make some songs - it's a claim from Riley that he's going into the studio to work on songs. :hmm:

Since then, Riley's been more and more humbled about saying he's going into the studio. :laugh: Spoke too soon, he did. :yes:

Thanks for the info guys! :)

^^^May 2006 - "I have to go work with Michael Jackson." --> That is not about waiting for MJ to call him to make some songs - it's a claim from Riley that he's going into the studio to work on songs. :hmm:


Yes its a claim he was GOING to, but it seems that never happened. He wouldnt be keeping it to himself. Like Ne-yo said.. "Let it be known" that you're workin' with Michael Jackson, just don't give details. Riley is letting it be known that a recent collab never materialised in my opinion, the way i interpret his quotes.

You know, I do believe MJ is and has been hard at work on the new album for the last few years, but I also get the feeling Teddy Riley might be a bit out of the loop...

I REALLY WISH MJ WOULD WORK WITH TEDDY RILEY AND QUINCY AGAIN!!!

I was just browsing the web and didn't expect to find anything interesting until i came across this interesting artice and interview with Teddy Riley. Michael Jackson is mentioned, including specific reference and question to his upcoming album. Riley doesn't exactly sound confident that Michael is taking the project seriously. The interview is only a few weeks old. Below is the Michael Jackson related exerpt:


BallerStatus.com: As an artist, what has been your greatest career achievement?

Teddy Riley: My biggest achievement was the "Hip-Hop Honors." I mean for me, the latest achievement. But, as far as making records, the Michael Jackson project.

BallerStatus.com: Speaking of Michael, is there any truth to the rumor that you are working on his highly anticipated return to the spotlight?

Teddy Riley: Well, I can only say I'm waiting. If it comes around, definitely. I have much, much, a lot of respect for Michael Jackson, so... and, he's my good friend. If he needs me, I'm there. If he doesn't... because a lot of people, they're with the producers who are now, and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I wish him the best in that area. I know what I can do, and everyone still says that he should do records with me and Quincy [Jones], and the real guys who make records. The thing about it is in this business, you can make records until you're 80. Quincy still has it, and he still has the resources to the best guys. He called me on the scene. So, I know what I can do being with Michael. I am still waiting, you know, to figure out if he's gonna really do this because a lot of people just don't think he's serious.



So, despite claims that he IS already working on or has already worked on the project, it doesn't seem as though he has.

Source: http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/03/4274/ / Damien @ Maximum Jackson (http://www.maximum-jackson.com/discussion/showthread.php?p=28910#post28910)

See? Told ya! Ain't gonna be no album any time soon:sad:

See? Told ya! Ain't gonna be no album any time soon:sad:

or teddy just aint getting that call.

yea, that's possible.

yea, that's possible.

until the record comes out we wont know. Mike might revive something from 10 years previous that he and Teddy worked on and use it. Never know!

until the record comes out we wont know. Mike might revive something from 10 years previous that he and Teddy worked on and use it. Never know!

Funny you should day that. I only heard 'If You Don't Love Me' for teh first time last month and I adore it.

I reckon if Mike revived it (I don't think it was Riley, but from that era) and finished it it sould be cracking. He needs to come back with a different sounding song to make a huge comeback and I think this could do it.

Like if he'd have released Whatever Happens first from Invincible, I'm sure the whole campaign would have been different.

Funny you should day that. I only heard 'If You Don't Love Me' for teh first time last month and I adore it.

I reckon if Mike revived it (I don't think it was Riley, but from that era) and finished it it sould be cracking. He needs to come back with a different sounding song to make a huge comeback and I think this could do it.

Like if he'd have released Whatever Happens first from Invincible, I'm sure the whole campaign would have been different.

Agreed. MJ wanted big scale big budget song with a sound we never heard from him, Unbreakable, as single one with mega video. Sony went SAFE with a familiar sounding generic MJ pop hit - YRMW - and lame low budget generic MJ in suit chasing girl video.

Had things been spiced up and MJ controlled what happened it would have been mega. I think Whatever Happens would have come out too. How can you resist the collaboration of MJ, Riley and Santana.

^^ I know. I had Smooth on my iPod yesterday and I though how great would that have been for Mike. If Whatever Happens had been released during that whole Santana revival thing, it would have been enormous.

The 2 singles of Vince were so lazy. YRMW for the exact reasons you said (Remember The Time weak remake single and Smooth Criminal/Dangerous remake video) and Cry for the whole (YANA was a massive R Kelly penned ballad hit, this'll be the same).

With songs such as Whatever Happens, Unbreakable & Butterflies on the album, it kills me that they were the 2 that got released and killed a fantastic album

Not forgetting that it still sold 10 million though!

well its all ifs and buts. of course what happened would not have happened if mottola did not play his games. they had no intention of doing things the way they should have been done.that would have been against the rules of the game. so of course they went with songs that should not have been released first. leaking songs and playing the game with songs such as butterflies etc

I know this is an old thread but Teddy is still saying he's not working on the new album:

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/02/16/catching_up_with_the_life_of_riley/

Q. You've worked pretty extensively with Michael Jackson; have you done anything for his new album?
A. I haven't been called yet so I don't know what's going on with it. I'm sure he'll want to hear the songs we have. But if it doesn't go to him it's going to Chris Brown. (Laughs).

I call that article the KOPV buster. Everything KOPV claims he spoke to Teddy Riley about with MJ is a total lie. He didn't even speak to Teddy by the sounds of it. Shame on him.

Michael did ask Quincy to work with him in 2007 but he was busy on a lot of projects then(as opposed to refusing to work with him). That was then. I wonder if he's been delaying the release to finally team up with Q, Riley, and himself to do the finishing touches?

^^^Carlos Santana claimed he was working on a song with MJ and Q ages ago, but Q still said he didn't have time to work with Michael.

Riley has been free to work with MJ for some time, so that's not holding up any release.

Releases are heldup by one person only - MJ. He doesn't work on something hoping someone will come on the project later - he begins work KNOWING exactly when he can have the people he wants when he wants them, e.g. Invincible started without Bruce who joined in 2000, but MJ knew that anyway.

MJ's being MJ.:yes:

Q is so the past - MJ shouldn't work with him again, especially since any success now will be credited with Q instead of Michael himself. There has been suggestions that MJ's past work with Q owed it all to Q himself which isn't true.

Mike and Quincy Jones shouldn't pair up again. Quincy belongs to a different generation, and since Mike is saying he wants to make music which inspirates each new generation, he wouldn't achieve that with Quincy- it would be like reliving old past glories. There's no doubt that Michael and Quincy made history together with Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, but obviously times are much different now. Mike accomplishes more working with newer artists like Ne-Yo, Akon, etc. etc.

Totally true, MJ needs no propping up from anyone else.

I love what he did with Quincy Jones and Q is certainly a musical mastermind--but I've always thought it was a shame in the past when some fans suggested that MJ is not as good without Quincy. I realized with the Off the Wall Special Edition and then more through other avenues that Michael had plenty to do with the beats on some of those hit classics like DSTYGE.

I absolutely love those demos!

"MICHAEL! TURN DOWN MY EARPHONES!"

"Well, TAKE 'EM OFF RIGHT QUICK!"

I think that when/if an album develops--it will be some of his best work yet and he will be the driving force. I don't think we'll see quite as much collaboration as is rumored. Time will tell, but I hope it won't be too much more time....:wink:

MJ has proven he can produce better music without Quincy. I personally liked the Dangerous album more than Off the Wall, Bad, and Thriller :)

Dangerous is the album I can listen to over and over again without getting bored of it.

With songs such as Whatever Happens, Unbreakable & Butterflies on the album, it kills me that they were the 2 that got released and killed a fantastic album.
I agree. Those songs are killas. If those 3 were released and a music video was done for Unbreakable, Invincible wouldn't have been put down like it was and a "flop."
I really wish he did a music video for Unbreakable. That would have been a big one.
MJ has proven he can produce better music without Quincy. I personally liked the Dangerous album more than Off the Wall, Bad, and Thriller :)

Dangerous is the album I can listen to over and over again without getting bored of it.

Hmm I could listen to Thriller (and I do every single day) and never get bored. It was just the time Michael was at his best, his best era and I could tell why when I listen to it. And I could listen to OTW over and over again. Second fave after Thriller :)

Oh don't get me wrong, I love Thriller as well, but I think MJ has proven that he can make better songs than the ones he made with Quincy.

teddy riley lol always flippin it

teddy riley lol always flippin it
'88 ~ '95

downhill after that.

MJ has proven he can produce better music without Quincy. I personally liked the Dangerous album more than Off the Wall, Bad, and Thriller :)

Dangerous is the album I can listen to over and over again without getting bored of it.

Ummm no. :nuuh: