In July 1994, it was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of two million copies in the United States.

[3] The origins of Guy came about when Aaron Hall and Timmy Gatling worked at the same clothing store, Abraham & Straus in New York.

[5] Producer and manager Gene Griffin introduced them to Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell, who immediately signed the trio.

[4] The eventual reasons of Gatling's departure from the group were issues with the contract and pressuring personal relationships during the time, although he was credited and earned royalties by his contribution of writing and producing.

[9] The rumor was so widespread, it was even referenced by Common in his song "Reminding Me (Of Sef)", the first single from his 1997 album One Day It'll All Make Sense.

[citation needed] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave the album an "A−" and recommended for listeners to "absorb the beats and focus in on Aaron Hall".

He felt that the band "sound[s] like almost arrogantly anonymous light funksters" and found Riley and Hall underwhelming as soul singers, but stated, "where Bobby Brown and Al B.

"[16] John Leland of Spin viewed Guy as exemplary of contemporary new jack swing albums, which he felt all sound "low-budget, without effects or orchestra, but yet they're very sophisticated".

[17] Alex Henderson of AllMusic credited the album for doing "more than any other to make [new jack swing] so incredibly popular in the R&B world" and citing it as "one of the most seminal and influential releases of the late '80s".