The highly anticipated Instagram Live battle between Teddy Riley and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds went down on Saturday (April 18) — sort of. As thousands of people tuned in at 9 p.m. EST, it was quickly apparent things weren’t going to go as planned.
For starters, there was no sound. And while Babyface was relaxed, holed up in his studio, Riley looked like he was getting ready to recreate Essence Fest.
For nearly a half-hour, the two veteran artists struggled to execute the battle while over 400,000 people watched. All viewers could hear on Riley’s side was playback and echoes whenever it was his turn to play a song.
Needless to say, it was a flop. Ageist jokes flew with many people blaming Edmonds’ and Riley’s ages (62 and 53, respectively) for their technical difficulties. By 10 p.m. EST, it was clear the audio wasn’t operating correctly, so they stopped and instructed viewers to come back in 30 minutes — despite the audience’s objections.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m. EST, Babyface suggested it’d be better to postpone the battle.
“Tonight was really special … it’s only right that we postpone this thing and do it at a time when there aren’t any technical difficulties and everybody can hear the music the way it needs to be heard,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter erupted with hilarious memes and seemingly endless jokes and “Teddy” quickly became a trending topic.
Check out some of the best reactions below.
Teddy: We seem to be having some technical difficulties
Babyface:pic.twitter.com/prdz0dO1Qv
— Tyler Brooks (@thetylerbrooks) April 19, 2020
Babyface’s studio vs Teddy Riley’s studio tonight. pic.twitter.com/tyV0aPbbaU
— Huskegee Airman (@JLBarrow) April 19, 2020
Babyface the entire night: pic.twitter.com/r9eS2uqA3x
— ♀ (@MakeupJunkie_AC) April 19, 2020
Babyface when Teddy Riley calls to set a new date be like: pic.twitter.com/BlEgfa9CQ0
— Alejandro Guerra (@Cinephile420) April 19, 2020
Every time Teddy had a technical difficulty, Babyface was like pic.twitter.com/cnzF7JuO8y
— #DontForgetTheHomeless (@FeministaJones) April 19, 2020
The useless hypeman
The sound
The comments
Babyface being clearly annoyed
Teddy not listening to anyone trying to help
Tyrese goofy ass reminding us he's illiterate again pic.twitter.com/fwUomR0tgO
— Big Girl Slay ? (@Biggirlslay) April 19, 2020
Babyface rejecting Teddy Riley calls and texts while going to bed. pic.twitter.com/CkQrahfA3f
— Quwn ? (@Q_Corleone) April 19, 2020
Teddy and his team: Come back in 30 mins.
Babyface : #VERZUZ pic.twitter.com/apaJTvTjET
— heavie dee (@heaviexdee) April 19, 2020
DJ D-NICE to the rescue with the Babyface and Teddy Riley set in #ClubQuarantine pic.twitter.com/ssXrkZYaZz
— Rashaan Josey (@Rashaan) April 19, 2020
Teddy Riley’s Team: technically difficulties, see y’all in a half hour!
Babyface: pic.twitter.com/5H1vGelaXo
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) April 19, 2020
I think this sums up the Teddy/Babyface Live. #BlameTeddy pic.twitter.com/ZZKW7GeR5f
— After5ivePod (@After5ivePod) April 19, 2020
Listen, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Tyrese and Tamar are trending in a horrible year of 2020 in the middle of a pandemic, bringing laughter to our souls by accident. Maybe we needed this instead of the live music ?? pic.twitter.com/s4a2AJ7rOx
— Kendra Ann (@KendraAnn4) April 19, 2020
Babyface Reading All Swizz Text Saying Teddy Almost Ready To Start Over ? pic.twitter.com/OiaXdiDWwd
— SHINDIGUPSTAIRS (@Le_YoungGawd) April 19, 2020
Teddy:
TV
Decks
DJ
Drummer
Keyboard
Microphone
Phone holder
PA
Tour manager
BACKUP DANCERBabyface:
Phone + HeadphonesTeddy:
“Can you turn your speaker down, its causing a delay”#TeddyRileyVsBabyface pic.twitter.com/R8Q0BW0Wqy— ? YOUTUBE.COM/RYANNILE ? (@RyanNile) April 19, 2020
Babyface when Teddy calls for a rematch pic.twitter.com/0BhYQkzDiN
— ??♀️ (@vinabean) April 19, 2020
I LOVE now Babyface subtlety told Teddy “I’m here by myself. You know, social distancing.” Meanwhile, Teddy and friends were acting like we not in the middle of a pandemic ?? #BabyfacevsTeddyRiley pic.twitter.com/j56Po3nOKL
— ?Kelly Golden? (@hdhollywood) April 19, 2020