Random J Pop playlist: Written by Babyface

Timbaland and Swizz Betas have been curating this thing where they have two producers and / or songwriters go on Instagram live and go head to head by playing some of their biggest hits. We got The-Dream and Sean Garrett, T-Pain and Lil' Jon. Which were both types of messes. But one of their most high profile and awaited match-ups was Teddy Riley and Babyface, which took place...or rather didn't a couple of nights ago. More mess.

Teddy Riley and Babyface are not only a great pairing because of the overlap of artists they have written and produced for, and both coming up around the same time, but their careers have had very similar trajectories which still run parallel up to this day. Both are well known to older generations of music lovers, but probably not so much to the newer, despite having written for some of the biggest artist of the current generation. Teddy Riley wrote and produced for Girls' Generation and Lady Gaga, and Babyface wrote and produced for Ariana Grande. And even if Girls' Generation and Ariana's fans are aware of the work they did for their faves, they may not be aware of how far back their production and songwriting discographies go and the types of artists they have worked with.

Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, TLC and Toni Braxton at the peak of her popularity before a bitch went broke.

Babyface is probably best known for his work in the 90s with Boys II Men, Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton. But some may know him for his work in the early 2000s through his work as a label exec as one half of LaFace records, who ended up signing the likes of Usher, TLC, P!nk and Avril Lavigne. But his catalog runs deep. There are probably a bunch of songs that you love, but have no idea Babyface was responsible for.

My decision to do a Babyface playlist is not only because I personally prefer most of his work, but because Teddy Riley played himself when it came time to do the Instagram live. He was trying set up a whole production and brought a whole entourage of musicians, DJ's and lighting staff. But there were technical hiccups as a result of his extra-ass setup and Babyface peaced out.

This is a quick summary of the event.

If you know, you know.

All homie had to do was sit on his MacBook with his phone on a stack of books and press play. But, no. So I'mma give Babyface his flowers instead.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: Written by Babyface