Guy is an American hip hop, R&B and soul group founded in 1987 by Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling. Hall's younger brother Damion Hall replaced Gatling after the recording of the group's self-titled debut album.
Overview
Origins (1986-1988)
Guy was formed in Harlem, New York, in 1987. Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling were childhood friends who had previously collaborated in the band Kids at Work. Hall was recruited by Gatling to join what would become Guy. As well as writing songs for their own group, Riley and Hall collaborated on other songwriting and production projects, including Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" and Johnny Kemp's "Just Got Paid."
Mainstream success and breakup (1988-1991)
Under the guidance of manager Gene Griffin, the trio signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records and released Guy in June 1988. Gatling departed the group after the album was completed and was replaced by Hall's younger brother Damion Hall. Gatling released his solo debut, Help, in 1989 on Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records and wrote and produced songs such as "Promises, Promises" for Christopher Williams and "When Will I See You Smile Again?" for Bell Biv DeVoe. Five singles were released from Guy, only one of which, "I Like," charted on the Billboard Hot 100. However, four of the album's singles became significant Billboard R&B chart hits: "Groove Me", "Teddy's Jam", "I Like", and "Spend the Night" helped propel the album to double platinum status. In addition, "'Round and 'Round " reached #24 on the R&B chart, and "Piece of My Love" also received some airplay on R&B stations. Guy reached #1 on the Billboard R&B album chart and, more impressively, climbed to #27 on the Billboard 200|Billboard 200] album chart without a major pop hit. The band contributed the song "My Fantasy" to the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing in 1989. Riley and Gene Griffin also worked with Boy George, producing his R&B hit "Don't Take My Mind on a Trip." However, that same year Guy split acrimoniously from Griffin. Riley continued to produce and remix for other artists and firmly established himself as the figurehead and driving force behind new jack swing. In November 1990 Guy released its second album, The Future. Although still not scoring Top 40 pop hits, the album's five singles became R&B hits: "Wanna Get Wit U" ; "Let's Chill" ; "D-O-G Me Out" ; and "Let's Stay Together" took the album to platinum status. In 1991 Guy made an appearance in Mario Van Peebles's film New Jack City, performing the song of the same name. After touring behind The Future, the group split up, later citing "the tragedy of our ex-manager," Gene Griffin, as the reason for Guy's disbandment. One of their final recordings during this period was a cover of Wilson Pickett's Land of a Thousand Dances for the 1992 animated film . Riley then focused on producing other artists, such as Heavy D and Michael Jackson, and formed a new group, Blackstreet. The two Hall brothers each pursued solo careers during the '90s.
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. The album featured the modest hit "Dancin'", which peaked at No. 19 on the US Hot 100 chart, 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 of another album, they have yet to release another. In 2006 they were part of New Jack Reunion Tour line up, along with BLACKstreet, Tony! Toni! Toné!, 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. He 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." As of 2013, Riley has announced he's returned to Guy and will be working with Guy as well as Blackstreet. Riley's return in 2013 was short and he left once again according to Aaron Hall. In August 2014, Riley announced via his official instagram that he has reunited with the Hall brothers with a new website and tour coming soon.
