Guy is an American R&B 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. The group released their debut album, which went on to sell over a million copies and was certified double platinum. Following their success, the group released their second album The Future in 1990, which also charted with successful singles and received platinum as well. Following their nearly decade long split, the group returned with their third album before the 2000s, which charted with their hit single "Dancin'".

Guy held the credit as the pioneer of the new jack swing genre with the early interactions of their work, which was developed and mainstreamed by Riley.

Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling both grew up in the Harlem section of New York City. Both of their family households were musically active and took inspiration from late 70s acts such as the Gap Band, Earth Wind & Fire and the Jacksons. They soon got involved in local live bands for ages around 12 to 20. Riley was in a band called The Climates as a 12-year-old prodigy piano player.

At the time, music executive Gene Griffin was scouting for young artists and owned a label called Sounds of New York, which had artists such as Indeep (known for the “Last Night A D.J. Saved My Life” hit single). Griffin offered Teddy Riley a contract to form the kid group Kids at Work. Sony Music Publishing handled distribution. The band consisted of Teddy Riley playing on keyboard, Timmy Gatling on vocals and bass, and Clurel Henderson on percussion & lead vocals.

In 1984, they released their self-titled debut album.^{[citation needed]} The group eventually left the label after Griffin’s sudden incarceration. Teddy Riley would go on to produce other projects such as “The Show” for Doug E. Fresh.

After the breakup of Kids at Work, Griffin offered Gatling a new deal to create a band. Gatling approached Aaron Hall, with whom he used to work in Abraham & Straus' shoe department. Hall sang in choirs at the Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Jamaica, Queens. Gatling introduced Hall to Teddy Riley, and the three named their new group Guy. Gene Griffin became their manager and was credited as producer as he introduced them to Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell, who immediately signed the trio.

Under the guidance of manager Gene Griffin, the trio signed to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records and released Guy in June 1988. Gatling was forced out of the group by Gene Griffin because he refused to sign the management contract, which gave Gene Griffin full control of their publishing and income. His face was kept on the album because he was officially part of the group and MCA Records needed his permission to release the album. 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" (#4), "Teddy's Jam" (#5), "I Like" (#2), and "Spend the Night" (#15) helped propel the album to double platinum status. In addition, "'Round and 'Round (Merry Go 'Round of Love)" 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 album chart without a major pop hit.