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Teddy Riley is bringing back one of R&B’s most influential groups—with a modern twist. The legendary producer and pioneer of the new jack swing era has officially announced the revival of Guy, the trailblazing trio he originally formed in 1987 alongside Aaron Hall and Timmy Gatling (later replaced by Damion Hall).
Now rebranded as Guy 2.0, the group will feature an entirely new lineup: Fred “Ljai” Robinson (formerly of Motown group Profyle), J Stylz (a onetime member of Blackstreet), and Ray Lavender, an R&B artist previously signed to Geffen Records.
“Greetings IG! We are GUY 2.0!! Follow us on our mission!!” the new collective wrote on Instagram, unveiling the fresh faces behind the reboot. Riley confirmed the updated name and lineup in the same post, signaling a new chapter for one of R&B’s foundational acts.
While official release dates for new music haven’t been announced, fans can expect live performances and projects that blend the nostalgic flair of Guy’s late-’80s sound with a contemporary touch.
This isn’t Riley’s first time reinventing the R&B landscape. As the architect of the “new jack swing” sound, he helped shape an era that merged soul, hip-hop, and pop with polished production and swagger. Beyond Guy, Riley also founded Blackstreet, scored massive hits like “No Diggity,” and produced for icons including Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat, and Doug E. Fresh.
In a past interview with Music Business Worldwide, Riley reflected on his creative philosophy:
“I’m a producer and a writer, but I would also say that the melody is king. Everything comes from the melody,” he said. “For example, with No Diggity, when we came up with the melody, we knew what we had—even if the label didn’t. It wasn’t until Dr. Dre told Jimmy Iovine, ‘You let Teddy know I want to be in the video,’ that everyone understood what we were building.”
With Guy 2.0, Riley seems poised to continue that same spirit of innovation—bridging generations and keeping R&B’s roots alive for a new audience.
