NEW JACK
Before the Swing
"He could hear the future. The industry wanted to own it."
Logline
A teenage music prodigy from Harlem's St. Nicholas projects hustles to escape the streets through music, but as his revolutionary sound begins to shake the industry, he discovers the people helping him rise may be stealing the future he's building.
The untold story of how New Jack Swing was born from Harlem's streets
St. Nicholas projects, block parties, dice games — real texture, real stakes
The manager who saw both family and product in the same teenage prodigy
Publishing theft, money disputes, and the trap set before Teddy knew the rules
Will Teddy Riley escape Harlem with his genius intact…
or will the industry take everything before he learns the rules?
The War
Young Teddy Riley can hear the future of music — but the streets, the industry, and the man managing him all want to own it before he does.
Harlem's St. Nicholas projects don't let talent go easy. Every block party, every dice game, every hustler with $20 is a choice between two futures.
Labels say the sound is "too hip-hop." But the beat is spreading through clubs. The question isn't if the world hears it — it's who owns it when they do.
Gene Griffin sees both family and product in the same teenage prodigy. Publishing rights. Contracts. The trap is already set before Teddy reads the fine print.
Lead Characters
TEDDY RILEY
"Everyone thinks he's quiet — but he's studying every room he walks into."
Best known as Jazz in the Peacock hit Bel-Air (35 eps, 2022–2025) alongside Jabari Banks. Also appeared in Snowfall, Rel (12 eps), Shameless, and The Rookie. Son of actress Ptosha Storey. A rising dramatic talent with the range and street credibility to carry Teddy Riley from the projects to the stage.
GENE GRIFFIN
"He sees Teddy as both family and product."
Chattanooga-born, Charlotte-raised singer, producer, and real-life member of Teddy Riley's Blackstreet. Formerly known as Sherman Tisdale, J-Stylz brings authentic New Jack Swing DNA to this role. He has charted singles, toured with Keith Sweat, and secured production placements with Petey Pablo and others. His firsthand knowledge of Teddy Riley's world makes him the only man for Gene Griffin.
TEDDY'S MOTHER
"She knows Gene Griffin is dangerous — but she can't stop what's already in motion."
Chicago-born actress and former supermodel. Best known as Wanda McCullough in The Bernie Mac Show (104 eps) and Lt. Roberta Warren in Z Nation (61 eps). Most recently in From Scratch (Netflix, 2022) and Grey's Anatomy. 7 award nominations.
KEITH SWEAT
"Recognizes Teddy's genius early — but fears the kid may surpass him."
NIA
"She believes in Teddy's future — but knows Harlem might never let him go."
Born in Hollis, Queens — the same New York streets that shaped New Jack Swing. Daughter of Rev. Run (Run-DMC), executive producer of Growing Up Hip Hop (59 eps, 2016–2020), and actress in They Took My Daughter and Supermodel (2015). Real hip-hop royalty with the authentic New York presence Nia demands.
AARON HALL
"Believes Teddy is part of the money problems in the group."
Vertical Showcase
Built natively for vertical screens. Every episode is crafted for the swipe-and-watch experience — full-screen, full-impact, 90 seconds at a time.
Every episode ends on a cliffhanger engineered to trigger the next swipe. 60 episodes. 60 hooks. Built for the vertical scroll generation.
Scripts
Beat Sheets
Season Arc
Harlem Prodigy
A teenage genius discovers his gift in the St. Nicholas projects. The streets want him. The music needs him. The choice hasn't been forced yet.
Enter the Industry
Gene Griffin opens the door. Teddy walks through. The studio is everything he dreamed — and the contract is everything he didn't read.
New Jack Swing Spreads
The sound takes over clubs, radio, the culture. Barry Michael Cooper names it. The world hears it. Teddy still doesn't own it.
Money, Betrayal, Explosion
The group is breaking. The money is missing. Gene's contracts are airtight. Aaron's suspicion turns to war. The dream is fracturing at the seams.
Build His Own Empire
Teddy realizes the only way out is through. He must leave Harlem, leave the people who built him, and build something no one can take.
Comparables
"Straight Outta Compton from the producer's point of view."
Straight Outta Compton
The gold standard for music origin biopics. NEW JACK is this — from the producer's point of view.
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Wu-Tang: An American Saga
Serialized street-to-legend narrative. Proves the format works for hip-hop origin stories.
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The New Edition Story
Industry betrayal, group dynamics, and R&B authenticity. The closest tonal comp in the R&B space.
View on IMDbAnalytics & Demographics
Compliance
Contact
All intellectual property, story concepts, characters, and creative materials contained in this pitch are the exclusive property of Stoner River Productions in partnership with Upscale Promotions & Entertainment, Inc. This presentation is confidential and intended solely for the recipient. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited.