It was truly a Mother’s Day concert to remember at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (May 11). Everyone, especially mothers, were keyed up to see the legendary R&B group Guy and the one and only Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Fellas had to come correct for this occasion. Everyone knows Mother’s Day is an important day for the ladies.
The concert was a one night only affair in New York City so the R&B superstars expressed their deepest gratitude to all of the mothers in the audience. And to get the party started, Guy stepped on stage, singing their song, “My Fantasy.” Fans were shocked when Aaron and Damion Hall stepped without Teddy Riley, the “Innovator of the New Jack Swing Era,” but one man doesn’t stop another man’s show. The group continued singing their hits, “Piece of My Love,” “Goodbye Love,” “Let’s Chill,” and of course everyone’s favorite, “I Like.” Fans were yearning for the group to sing those high notes, but they couldn’t pull it off. Before Guy departed the stage, Aaron sang his solo cut, “I Miss You,” which has been an R&B classic slow jam since the early 90's.
Following Guy's performance, one of entertainment’s prominent event planners and host of the evening, Ray Dejon, said a few words to the mothers. "Let’s show love to all of the mothers in the audience; it’s all about them tonight,” Dejon said. He is comical as well, cracking a few jokes to keep the audience energized while they patiently waited for Babyface.
Once the 15 minute intermission ended, Dejon presented the 10X Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Babyface. Ladies were drooling and full of enthusiasm when this 55-year-old man walked on stage. Everyone knew they were in for a treat because of Babyface's extensive catalog. He kicked off his set with, "For the Cool in You," and he just kept singing hit after hit including "Never Keeping Secrets," "When Can I See You?" "Soon As I Get Home" and "Sunshine."
Babyface's performance was enriching to say the least. The list could take hours if I write down how many songs he has written for some of the biggest names in music. But, he sang Bobby Brown's "Don’t Be Cruel," "Roni," and "Every Little Step," Tevin Campbell's "Can We Talk?", After 7's “Ready or Not,” “Two Occasions,” and Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road and "I’ll Make Love to You." He ended his segment with the R&B classic, "Whip Appeal," and thanked everyone for supporting him as a musician, producer, and singer.
Over 30 years later, everyone, young and old, still loves Babyface. He speaks the truth in his love songs. He is still a musical muse for many R&B artists. Fans are still pumped when they hear Guy's up-beat R&B and hip-hop songs from the late 80s.
The iconic music genre of New Jack Swing is alive and well, thanks to the legendary singer-songwriter Babyface. Recently performing at Madison Square Garden, he proved why he’s still one of R&B’s greatest artists. His performance was an electrifying show that had fans on their feet all night long singing along to his classic hits. If you missed this epic event, here’s what went down!
Babyface has been a force in the industry since 1987 when he wrote Whitney Houston’s hit single “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” As part of the duo LaFace Records with L.A Reid, they created some of the most successful acts in contemporary music such as TLC and Usher, making them superstars in their own right. Fusing together new jack swing into every song they released kept audiences captivated by Babyface’s sound.
At Madison Square Garden last week it was no different; thousands of people gathered for a magical evening to celebrate the phenomenon that is Babyface and his influence on modern day R&B music. From old classics like “Tender Lover” to newer songs like “Every Time I Close My Eyes,” there was something for everyone who loves baby face’s unique style of soulful melodies. It was truly an unforgettable event that will be talked about for years to come!
History Of New Jack Swing
New Jack Swing is a style of R&B and hip hop music that emerged in the late 1980s. It was characterized by a fusion of jazz, funk, rap, and soul sounds that created an upbeat sound which still resonates today. This genre has been influential to many musical artists over the years, including Guy, Babyface, and countless others.
The origins of New Jack Swing can be traced back to producer Teddy Riley who combined elements from funk, jazz, R&B and pop music into his productions. He was able to create a unique sound that blended all these genres together in order to make something truly special. His production style includes heavy drums mixed with keyboards and synthesizers along with samples taken from other songs. This combination made for some truly infectious beats which have become very recognizable over time.
This new form of music quickly gained popularity during the late 80s and early 90s due to its catchy rhythms and grooves as well as its ability to bridge different styles together seamlessly. As a result it became popular among both mainstream audiences as well as underground clubs alike. In fact, this particular style of music has even had performances at Madison Square Garden like when Guy and legendary R&B singer Babyface performed there in 2018. Clearly New Jack Swing has left an indelible mark on music history – one that will continue to inspire musicians for generations to come.
Babyface’s Musical Journey And Performance At Madison Square Garden
Babyface is one of the most iconic figures in R&B music, having helped shape and define the genre for decades. He has had a long musical career, performing on albums with renowned artists such as Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton. He is also well known for his songwriting abilities, writing hit songs like “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men.
In 2018, Babyface was invited to perform at Madison Square Garden alongside Guy as part of their New Jack Swing tour. This performance marked a major milestone in Babyface’s musical journey as it was one of the biggest shows he had ever performed on. During this show they both showcased their talents while incorporating elements from previous generations which showed that New Jack Swing still resonates today.
The audience went wild when these two legends took the stage together; it truly was an unforgettable experience for everyone who attended. It goes without saying that this performance will be remembered for years to come – not just because of its nostalgic feel but also due to its sheer level of energy and entertainment value. By joining forces, Babyface and Guy were able to create a unique atmosphere filled with joyous celebration and appreciation for the art form they so love: New Jack Swing!
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have explored the history of New Jack Swing and Babyface’s musical journey to his performance at Madison Square Garden. Despite being a pioneer in R&B music, it was only fitting that he headlined one of the most iconic venues in NYC for this special event. It also showed how far he had come from when he started out as a young musician 30 years ago.
Babyface has gone on to influence some of today’s top stars with his timeless sound. His legacy will live on through his many accomplishments and contributions to the genre. He is truly an inspiration to aspiring musicians everywhere who want to make their mark in the industry.
I am glad I got the chance to experience Babyface’s amazing return to music at such a legendary venue like Madison Square Garden. It reminded me why New Jack Swing was so popular during its time and continues to be remembered fondly by fans all over the world.