Teddy Riley Apologizes to Keith Sweat Over 'Make It Last Forever' Dispute

The New Jack Swing pioneers reconcile after Riley's claims about not getting paid for the landmark 1987 album.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Nearly four decades after their landmark album 'Make It Last Forever' changed R&B, a disagreement between producers Teddy Riley and Keith Sweat bubbled up into public view. Riley claimed he was only paid $1,500 and did not receive royalties for his work on the album, but Sweat pushed back, leading Riley to later apologize and emphasize the cultural impact they achieved together as pioneers of the New Jack Swing sound.

Why it matters

The back-and-forth between Riley and Sweat sheds light on the complex business dynamics and potential disputes that can arise, even among collaborators who helped create a hugely influential musical genre. It also underscores the lasting impact of 'Make It Last Forever' and the Riley-Sweat partnership in shaping modern R&B.

The details

During a recent interview, Riley claimed he was never properly paid for his work producing key tracks on Sweat's 1987 debut album 'Make It Last Forever,' including hits like 'I Want Her' and the title track. Riley said his name was on the album but he only received $1,500, not royalties. This sparked a response from Sweat, who questioned whether Riley just 'produced' or if they 'produced together.' Soon after, Riley apologized, saying he didn't mean to cause 'confusion or hurt' and that their bond was 'bigger than anything' related to money, as they built the New Jack Swing culture and sound together.

  • The 1987 album 'Make It Last Forever' was released in November of that year.
  • The album topped the R&B Albums chart for three weeks and reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200.
  • The album was certified triple-platinum in 1994.

The players

Teddy Riley

A producer who helped create the New Jack Swing sound and worked extensively with Keith Sweat on his landmark 1987 debut album 'Make It Last Forever.'

Keith Sweat

An R&B singer-songwriter whose 1987 debut album 'Make It Last Forever' became a foundation for modern R&B, featuring production work from Teddy Riley.

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What they’re saying

“I've waited so long to tell my truth. Because I let everybody tell their stories. And most of them are not the truth. Like, Keith Sweat and myself. Did you know I never got paid for the album? But my name is on there, right? So, somebody gonna pay.”

— Teddy Riley, Producer (We in Miami show)

“You produced, or we produced together?”

— Keith Sweat, Singer-songwriter (Instagram)

“Peace and blessings. I want to take this time to speak from the heart and clear the air. I want to apologize to my brother, Keith Sweat. If anything that I said was taken the wrong way, or caused confusion or hurt to his family or to anyone, I apologize. That is not my intention.”

— Teddy Riley, Producer (Instagram)

The takeaway

The back-and-forth between Riley and Sweat highlights the complex business dynamics that can arise even among collaborators who helped create an influential musical genre. However, their ultimate reconciliation underscores the lasting cultural impact of their partnership in shaping the sound of modern R&B.