READ the latest biography details including Royal Bayyan’s personal life and family… (2) Two American Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and critical global success.
Emmy Awards 2023: Received an EMMY Award for his participation on SKIP MARTIN’s “People Get Ready” remake…
The song originally done by CURTIS MAYFIELD, features over 29 Urban/ Pop/ R&B/ Gospel greats such as: Skip Martin, Az Yet, Dazz Band, Royal Bayyan, Robert Kool Bell, Maxi B, Reggie Calloway, Kevin Chalfant, Jay Chan, David L. Cook, Darcus, Taylor Dayne, John Elefante, Doug E. Fresh, Howard Hewett, John P. Kee, Stefan Maier, Neal McCoy, Ray Parker Jr., Steph Payne, CeCe Peniston, Tom Schuman, Tony Terry, Alyson Williams, Stevie Wonder on Harmonica.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6iQwsxCnu8
Awards & Recognition: 1991 – 1994 Developed & Produced superstar group “Color Me Badd” debut album, which bagged over 7 Million record sales & generating over $51 Million in revenue for Giant/Warner Records, two Grammy nominations for“Best New Artist”, two American Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and critical global success.
Film Soundtracks Success: “New Jack City” 1991, “Tupac: The Resurrection” 2003…
Promotions: 1982 – 1985 was Entertainment Coordinator at “Harlem World”, in historical landmark area of 116th street and Lenox Ave.. (Booked many legendary R&B and Hip-Hop Pioneers such as GQ, Run D.M.C., and Sugar Hill Gang)…
International Promotions: 1988 – 1989 – Bayyan, was among the first to sponsor and promote international shows in Africa… “Def Jam in the Motherland Tours” in “Africa”, with “LL Cool J”, “EPMD” & “Eric B and Rakim”.
A&R: 1980 – 1985 Rumor has it; Royal is responsible for discovering teaching and mentoring “Teddy Riley” before introducing him and his band mates to Gene Griffin.
Riley who was an original member of the uptown group known as Total Climax & later Atlantis, when they lost their group name to a female act signed by Solar / RCA Records Executive “Ray Harris” who was a frequent visitor to their rehearsals at the Red Rooster in Harlem. Ray Harris is the Founding Chairman of The Living Legends Foundation…. relocated to Los Angeles.
Teddy Riley, was taken under Royal’s wing, at the young age of 13 years old. While taking Teddy downtown to the studio he would suggest to engineers to show Riley the EQ-ing and audio tricks, which often met with much resistance at the time. There were not many if any Black Engineers at that time at Unique Studios, Right Track & Quad Studios. Engineers like Frank Heller, Questar, Chris Lord and Boris Midney were considered some of the best. Bayyan also made Riley the music director in their 7-piece band. Coincidentally – it was not long after Bayyan was departed from “Kool & The Gang” in the late 70’s – 80’s, he began producing notable artist like Freddie Jackson, Meli’sa Morgan, Glenn Jones, Ray Goodman & Brown, Gerald Alston and Family group “Forecast”…
Bayyan – was previously an additional rhythm guitarist with Kool & The Gang. Charles “Claydes” Smith cheered his rhythmic creativity, while Bayyan holds Smith in the highest regard with the greats like Wes Montgomery and George Benson…
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Royal’ Reflections: I would have played music well enough to get by in any band, But I never would’ve “Truly” understood it, had it not been for my cousin Khalis and Kool & The Gang in general.. Unfortunately, I also learned what was terribly wrong with the business of music at the same time. Partly because the record companies were like “Pimps” looking for the next talented fresh “HOE”, the very antithesis of sincere loving expressions of lyrics and music.
Catch-up in 2026 – The Book is on the way.. Follow me on Facebook.com Twitter.com & Instagram.com


