Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter and producer who entered the music industry at just 16 years old. He released his self-titled debut solo album in 1983, followed by «Perfect Combination», a duet album with Stacy Lattisaw, in 1984, and his second solo effort «Chemistry» in 1985, establishing himself as a promising young voice in R&B.

His career reached a new level in 1987 when he joined New Edition, replacing Bobby Brown, and appeared on the group's 1988 album «Heart Break», closing it as lead vocalist on the enduring track «Boys to Men». When New Edition members pursued solo projects afterward, Gill released his self-titled 1990 album, working with two of the era's top R&B production teams, L.A. Reid & Babyface and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The album produced three number-one R&B singles — «Rub You the Right Way», «Wrap My Body Tight» and «My, My, My» — plus the number-two hit «Fairweather Friend», reaching number eight on the Billboard 200 and topping the R&B Albums chart, while earning multiple Grammy nominations.

Gill's smooth, powerful vocal style and knack for both romantic ballads and upbeat funk-inflected tracks made him one of the defining male voices of late-'80s and early-'90s R&B. He has continued to record as a solo artist and remains associated with New Edition, whose legacy he helped extend during a pivotal era for the group.