7. March 2026
Akai Professional: Teddy Riley and the MPC – A Timeline of Rhythm Innovation
In this extended live interview, Akai Professional hosts the legendary Teddy Riley at NAMM 2026, offering a rare, producer-focused look into the creative mind that helped define the sound of New Jack Swing and modern R&B. Riley unpacks his journey with Akai gear, from early 12-tracks to the iconic MPCs, and shares the stories behind genre-defining tracks for Keith Sweat, Guy, Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and more. This is not just a nostalgia trip: the conversation reveals how workflow, sound design, and the unique architecture of Akai’s MPCs shaped both a musical era and Riley’s collaborative process. For anyone interested
Akai 12 Track, Akai MPC, Akai MPC2500 XL, Akai MPC3000, Akai MPC60, Akai S2000, Akai S3000, Korg DDD-1









