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New jack swing is a hybrid style of rhythm and blues (R&B) or soul music combined with hip hop, popular from the late 1980s to early/mid-1990s.
Also called "new jack R&B" or "swingbeat", the term was coined either by journalist and New Jack City co-writer Barry Michael Cooper or music artist/producer Teddy Riley who invented this style in the experiment of integrating hip-hop rhythms, samples and production techniques with the urban contemporary R&B sound. The style developed in a way similar to many previous styles, as a new combination of older styles. Some of the songs only had hip-hop beats, some had rap sections alternating with singing. New jack swing is mellifluously soulful solo or harmonizing vocals sung over funky, rap rhythms.