Guy (band)
Encyclopedia
Guy are a hip hop
, R&B
and soul
band most closely associated with the new jack swing
style of the 1980s and 1990s.
, New York
in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Aaron Hall, young musician/record producer
Teddy Riley
and Timmy Gatling. Riley and Gatling were childhood friends growing up in Harlem, and previously collaborated in the band Kids At Work. As Riley's reputation as a Hip hop producer grew in the mid-1980s, Hall was recruited to be the lead vocalist of what would become Guy. As well as writing songs for their trio, Riley and Hall collaborated on songwriting and production for Johnny Kemp
("Just Got Paid
") and Bobby Brown
("My Prerogative
").
's Uptown Records
, releasing their self-titled debut, Guy
, in 1988. Gatling left after recording was completed and was quickly replaced by Aaron's younger brother Damion Hall
for the promotion and tour (with New Edition
) of the record. The album contained the hit singles "Groove Me", "Teddy's Jam," "I Like" and "'Round And 'Round (Merry-Go-Round of Love)" as well as "Piece of My Love" and "Goodbye Love". The album earned Riley and the Hall brothers international fame as it went triple platinum
.
Following on from this success, in 1989 the band featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee
's film Do The Right Thing
with the song "My Fantasy". However, in the same year they split acrimoniously from Gene Griffin, while Riley continued to produce and remix for other artists, firmly establishing himself as the figurehead of and driving force behind the New Jack Swing movement.
In 1990, Guy released their second album, The Future
. The singles "Do Me Right" (Featuring Heavy D), "Wanna Get Wit U" and "Let's Chill" exposed them to a broader, more mainstream audience. At this time, the band featured in Mario Van Peebles
's film New Jack City
, performing the song "New Jack City". However, once the album's promotion ended in 1991, the band disbanded with Riley later citing "the tragedy of our ex-manager" as the reason for the split. Their cover of the Wilson Pickett
classic Land of a Thousand Dances
was featured in the 1992 animated film FernGully: The Last Rainforest
. In the 1990s, Riley focused on producing other artists (such as Heavy D and Michael Jackson
) and formed the R&B group Blackstreet
. The Hall brothers both pursued solo careers during the 1990s, with Aaron in particular finding success.
In 1999, Riley and the Hall brothers reunited to release their first album in nine years titled Guy III
. The album featured the modest hit "Dancin'", which peaked at #22, becoming surprisingly their biggest hit on the pop charts. However, the album was poorly promoted and as quickly as it was released it dropped from the public consciousness. The group disbanded again soon after, but reformed periodically from 2005 onwards, and despite rumours, have yet to release another album.
In 2006 they were part of New Jack Reunion Tour
line up, along with Blackstreet
, Tony Toni Tone, After 7
, New Edition
, and SWV
.
Riley and the Hall brothers reunited at the 2009 BET Awards
, performing "I Like" as part of a new jack swing medley.
Speaking in March 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul
- Riley confirmed he is no longer involved with Guy. Still, Riley, who was accused of violently attacking one of his daughters during a pre-Christmas altercation on December 23, 2009, went on to perform with the group again in October 2010. But the reunion was short-lived following claims by other band members that Riley had not properly distributed royalties he had collected on behalf of Guy.
On January 16, 2011, Aaron and Damion performed without Teddy at BET Honors in Washington DC. "Guy brought the audience to its feet with new-jack-swing-era hits Let's Chill and Groove Me." - The Washington Post. The performance at BET Honors became a trending topic on Twitter when it aired on February 21, 2011. The duo appeared again on February 17, 2011 on the TV One Black History Month special "Way Black When."
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
band most closely associated with the new jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
style of the 1980s and 1990s.
Origins (1986-1988)
Guy was formed in HarlemHarlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Aaron Hall, young musician/record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Teddy Riley
Teddy Riley (new jack swing)
Edward Theodore Riley , professionally known as Teddy Riley, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, keyboardist, and record producer credited with the creation of New Jack Swing. Through his production work with Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Doug E. Fresh, Today, Keith Sweat, Heavy D., Jane...
and Timmy Gatling. Riley and Gatling were childhood friends growing up in Harlem, and previously collaborated in the band Kids At Work. As Riley's reputation as a Hip hop producer grew in the mid-1980s, Hall was recruited to be the lead vocalist of what would become Guy. As well as writing songs for their trio, Riley and Hall collaborated on songwriting and production for Johnny Kemp
Johnny Kemp
Johnny Kemp is a Bahamian R&B singer and dancer. He began singing in nightclubs in the Bahamas at 13. He moved to New York in 1979 with the band "Kinky Fox." His self-titled debut album came out in 1986 and he scored a minor hit with "Just Another Lover." True success came the following year,...
("Just Got Paid
Just Got Paid
"Just Got Paid" is a 1988 crossover single by singer/songwriter Johnny Kemp. The song made it to number one on the U.S. R&B singles and dance charts and reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100...
") and Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
("My Prerogative
My Prerogative
"My Prerogative" is a song by American recording artist Bobby Brown from his second solo studio album, Don't Be Cruel. It was released on October 11, 1988 as the second single from the album. After recording sessions for the album were completed, Brown and producer Gene Griffin travelled to New...
").
Mainstream Success (1988-1991)
Under the guidance of manager Gene Griffin, the group signed to Andre HarrellAndre Harrell
Andre Harrell is founder of the now defunct record label, Uptown Records. Harrell also served as president/CEO of Motown Records. He was also the first half of the hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde.-Biography:...
's Uptown Records
Uptown Records
Uptown Records was an American record label, founded by Andre Harrell in 1986. It went on to become one of the most popular Hip-Hop and R&B labels of the late 1980's and early 1990s. Featured on the roster were such luminaries as Guy, Heavy D & The Boyz, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Soul for Real...
, releasing their self-titled debut, Guy
Guy (album)
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Gene Griffin, Teddy Riley*assistant engineering – Franklin D., Alan Friedman, Alan Gregorie, Jay Henry, Dennis Mitchell, Mario Salvati...
, in 1988. Gatling left after recording was completed and was quickly replaced by Aaron's younger brother Damion Hall
Damion Hall
Damion Hall, also known as Damion "Crazy Legs" Hall is an African-American R&B singer. He is a member of the new jack swing group Guy and is the brother of Guy member, Aaron Hall. He has released one solo album, Straight to the Point in 1994, which spawned one single, "Satisfy You", featuring...
for the promotion and tour (with New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
) of the record. The album contained the hit singles "Groove Me", "Teddy's Jam," "I Like" and "'Round And 'Round (Merry-Go-Round of Love)" as well as "Piece of My Love" and "Goodbye Love". The album earned Riley and the Hall brothers international fame as it went triple platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
.
Following on from this success, in 1989 the band featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
's film Do The Right Thing
Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American dramedy produced, written, and directed by Spike Lee, who is also a featured actor in the film. Other members of the cast include Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro. It is also notably the...
with the song "My Fantasy". However, in the same year they split acrimoniously from Gene Griffin, while Riley continued to produce and remix for other artists, firmly establishing himself as the figurehead of and driving force behind the New Jack Swing movement.
In 1990, Guy released their second album, The Future
The Future (Guy album)
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Jeanne Bradshaw*artwork – Stuart Watson...
. The singles "Do Me Right" (Featuring Heavy D), "Wanna Get Wit U" and "Let's Chill" exposed them to a broader, more mainstream audience. At this time, the band featured in Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles
Mario "Chip" Cain Van Peebles is an American director and actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films. He is son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.-Life and career:...
's film New Jack City
New Jack City
New Jack City is a 1991 crime film starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Mario Van Peebles, Judd Nelson, and Chris Rock. Snipes stars as Nino Brown, a rising drug dealer and crime lord in New York City during the crack epidemic...
, performing the song "New Jack City". However, once the album's promotion ended in 1991, the band disbanded with Riley later citing "the tragedy of our ex-manager" as the reason for the split. Their cover of the Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett
Wilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
classic Land of a Thousand Dances
Land of a Thousand Dances
"Land of a Thousand Dances" is a song written and first recorded by Chris Kenner in 1962. The song is famous for its "na na na na na" hook, which was added by Cannibal & the Headhunters in their version of the song in 1965, whose version peaked at number thirty...
was featured in the 1992 animated film FernGully: The Last Rainforest
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
FernGully: The Last Rainforest is a 1992 Australian-American animated film directed by Bill Kroyer, produced by Peter Faiman and Wayne Young, and written by Jim Cox based on a book of the same name by Diana Young. It is a film with a strong environmental theme...
. In the 1990s, Riley focused on producing other artists (such as Heavy D and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
) and formed the R&B group Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
. The Hall brothers both pursued solo careers during the 1990s, with Aaron in particular finding success.
Reunions
Guy have reformed periodically since their initial break-up, the first of which occurred in 1995, with the release of the song "Tell Me What You Like", but an album did not follow at that time.In 1999, Riley and the Hall brothers reunited to release their first album in nine years titled Guy III
Guy III
-Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Drew FitzGerald*assistant engineering – Joe Woods*design – Drew FitzGerald...
. The album featured the modest hit "Dancin'", which peaked at #22, becoming surprisingly their biggest hit on the pop charts. However, the album was poorly promoted and as quickly as it was released it dropped from the public consciousness. The group disbanded again soon after, but reformed periodically from 2005 onwards, and despite rumours, have yet to release another album.
In 2006 they were part of New Jack Reunion Tour
New Jack Reunion Tour
The New Jack Reunion Tour was a 2006 concert tour that featured members of the 1990s music genre new jack swing, which was created by Teddy Riley.The tour was organized by Riley and was intended as the springboard for a new jack swing revival...
line up, along with Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...
, Tony Toni Tone, After 7
After 7
After 7 is an R&B group founded in 1988 by brothers Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, and Keith Mitchell. The Edmonds brothers are the siblings of popular pop and R&B singer-songwriter-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds"...
, New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
, and SWV
SWV
Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, is an American female R&B trio from New York. Formed in 1990 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "I'm So Into You", and "You're the One"....
.
Riley and the Hall brothers reunited at the 2009 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
, performing "I Like" as part of a new jack swing medley.
Speaking in March 2010 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of the award-winning Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
- Riley confirmed he is no longer involved with Guy. Still, Riley, who was accused of violently attacking one of his daughters during a pre-Christmas altercation on December 23, 2009, went on to perform with the group again in October 2010. But the reunion was short-lived following claims by other band members that Riley had not properly distributed royalties he had collected on behalf of Guy.
On January 16, 2011, Aaron and Damion performed without Teddy at BET Honors in Washington DC. "Guy brought the audience to its feet with new-jack-swing-era hits Let's Chill and Groove Me." - The Washington Post. The performance at BET Honors became a trending topic on Twitter when it aired on February 21, 2011. The duo appeared again on February 17, 2011 on the TV One Black History Month special "Way Black When."
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
| Guy Guy (album) -Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Gene Griffin, Teddy Riley*assistant engineering – Franklin D., Alan Friedman, Alan Gregorie, Jay Henry, Dennis Mitchell, Mario Salvati...
|
| The Future The Future (Guy album) -Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Jeanne Bradshaw*artwork – Stuart Watson... RIAA certification In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards... : Platinum |
| Guy III Guy III -Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*art direction – Drew FitzGerald*assistant engineering – Joe Woods*design – Drew FitzGerald... |
| Groove Me: The Very Best Of Guy (Compilation album)
|
| The Millennium Collection (Compilation album)
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
|||
| 1988 | "Groove Me" | – | 4 | 33 | Guy |
| "'Round and 'Round (Merry-Go-Round of Love)" | – | 24 | – | ||
| "Teddy's Jam" | – | 5 | 25 | ||
| 1989 | "I Like" | 70 | 2 | – | |
| "My Fantasy" (Teddy Riley Feat. Guy) | – | 1 | – | Do The Right Thing Do the Right Thing Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American dramedy produced, written, and directed by Spike Lee, who is also a featured actor in the film. Other members of the cast include Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro. It is also notably the... soundtrack |
|
| "Spend the Night" | – | 15 | – | Guy | |
| 1990 | "Wanna Get with You" | 50 | 4 | 27 | The Future |
| 1991 | "Let's Chill" | 41 | 3 | – | |
| "Do Me Right" | – | 2 | 47 | ||
| "D-O-G Me Out" | – | 8 | – | ||
| "Let's Stay Together" | – | 16 | – | ||
| 1999 | "Dancin'" | 22 | 4 | – | Guy III |
| "Why You Wanna Keep Me From My Baby" | – | 50 | – | ||