The Future (Guy album) explained

The Future
Type:studio
Artist:Guy
Cover:Guy The Future cover.jpeg
Released:November 13, 1990
Recorded:1989–1990
Studio:Soundtrack (New York City)
Genre:New jack swing
Length:72:02
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Guy
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Guy III
Next Year:2000

The Future is the second studio album by American R&B group Guy, released in November 13, 1990, on Uptown Records. It was their last album before their reunion a decade later.

Background

The Future had a much darker tone in stark contrast to their debut. Most of it had to do with things going on behind the scenes. A year after the release of their debut album, they fired their manager Gene Griffin—who they claimed allocated funds from the group.[1] [2] This revelation angered all of the members, and particularly infuriated lead singer Aaron Hall—so much so that he didn't sing on half of the album. Hall revealed:

"There came a time where I just did not want to sing a single note. To be honest, it was the money. It just became too depressing. We were the biggest group in the world and we were flat broke. It took its toll".[3]

As a result, Teddy Riley assumed the duties of lead vocals for the remainder of The Future.

Also on a tour with their MCA labelmates New Edition, things got out of hand between the two acts. Although New Edition were headliners, Guy happened to upstage them a few dates into the tour. This created a rivalry backstage that turned deadly. One of New Edition's production managers Ronald Boyd shot and killed Anthony Bee—a member of Guy's security detail.[4] [5] Guy would dedicate the song "Long Gone" to the memory of Bee- as well as Wreckx-n-Effect member Brandon Mitchell, who was also killed in the same year.[6] The Future contained songs where they attacked their former manager Gene Griffin and his then-proteges, Motown Records recording group Basic Black. By the time they released the fifth single "Let's Stay Together" in early 1992, Guy called it quits and embarked on separate endeavors, with Aaron and Damion Hall releasing solo albums and Riley starting the group Blackstreet with Damion Hall's protege Chauncey Black, along with close friends Levi Little & Joe Stonestreet.

Covers

A couple of the songs from The Future have been covered. Priority Records singer Toni Estes covered the song "Let's Chill" from her 2000 debut Two Eleven.[7] Singer Charlie Wilson also covered "Let's Chill" from his 2005 album Charlie, Last Name Wilson.[8] R&B singer Case covered the song "Smile" on his 2009 album The Rose Experience.[9]

Release and reception

The Future peaked at sixteen on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached number one on the R&B Albums chart. By January 1991, it was certified platinum in sales by the RIAA after sales exceeding one million copies in the United States.

Although Alex Henderson of AllMusic felt The Future was not as strong an album as its predecessor, he still gave a positive note to the work, calling it "one of the more appealing—and certainly more authentic—examples of "new jack swing."[10]

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the CD liner notes.

Vocals

Technical

Artwork

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1991)Position
US Billboard 200[12] 35
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 3

External links

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Neal. Mark Anthony. Blackstreet Level II (review). popmatters.com . April 10, 2003. October 5, 2015.
  2. Web site: Herrmann. Brenda. The King Of New Jack Swing. Chicago Tribune . May 6, 2014.
  3. Book: hampton, dream. Hard Rock: Nas, Eve and Sisqo Take it to the New Millennium. February 2000. Vibe Magazine.
  4. Web site: allhiphop.com. July 21, 2008. May 6, 2014.
  5. Web site: Wilker. Deborah. Violence On- And Offstage A Bitter Blow To R&b Tour. Sun-Sentinel . May 6, 2014.
  6. Web site: Coleman. Mark. POP MUSIC : New Jack Swingman : Guy's leading guy, Teddy Riley, draws from rap, R&B, gospel and funk as he designs pop's hippest, hottest sound. Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2015.
  7. Web site: Let's Chill – Toni Estes. WhoSampled. January 10, 2015.
  8. Web site: Let's Chill – Charlie Wilson. WhoSampled. January 10, 2015.
  9. Web site: Smile – Guy. WhoSampled. January 10, 2015.
  10. Web site: Henderson. Alex. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r8776|pure_url=yes}} allmusic (((The Future > Review)))]. AllMusic. June 30, 2010.
  11. Web site: Bubbling Down Under: Week commencing 11 February 1991. February 20, 2022.
  12. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991. Billboard. April 8, 2021.
  13. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1991. Billboard. April 8, 2021.