Guy | |
---|---|
Origin | Harlem, New York, U.S. |
Genres | New jack swing, hip hop soul, R&B |
Years active | 1987–1991; 1999–2000; 2005–present |
Labels |
Uptown/MCA (1987–1991) MCA (1999–2000) Hall of Fame/Universal (2008–present) |
Associated acts |
Heavy D and the Boyz Today Kids At Work Wreckx-n-Effect Blackstreet |
Members |
Teddy Riley Aaron Hall Damion Hall |
Past members | Timmy Gatling |
Guy is an American hip hop, R&B and soul band, and were the creators of the new jack swing style of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Guy was formed in Harlem, New York in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling. Riley and Gatling were childhood friends growing up in Harlem, and previously collaborated in the band Kids At Work. Hall was recruited 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".
Under the guidance of manager Gene Griffin, the group signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records, and released their self-titled debut album Guy in June 1988. Gatling, however, had left after recording of the album was completed and he was replaced by Hall's younger brother Damion Hall. Gatling would later release his solo debut Help in 1989 on Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records in 1989 and become a producer, penning and writing songs such as "Promises, Promises" for Christopher Williams and "When Will I See You Smile Again?" for Bell Biv DeVoe.