Aaron Hall (singer)

Hall's talent encouraged by his friend, Timmy Gatling, who also worked alongside him in a store, Abraham & Straus in the 1980s. Gatling knew Teddy Riley through their early group called Kids at Work, which was managed by Gene Griffin. After Timmy's discovery, the three decided to form a group, Guy.[4]

In between Hall's traditional Black gospel voice and erratic singing brought up major comparisons to artists later being in the business. Hall described his own voice as "running on inflections, heavy intonations and very little breathing".[7] His vocal style and ability were influenced on other artists such R. Kelly, Darryl "Dezo" Adams and Joe.

Following the breakup of Guy, Hall signed with Silas Records, a subsidiary label of MCA Records formed by Louil Silas Jr.[8] Hall reunited with his brother and Teddy Riley as Guy for a reunion album, Guy III (2000). It features the modest hit, "Dancin'". The trio is still present on tours in later years.

Hall began his solo career after his group Guy collapsed. In 1992, he worked with several producers from the Silas label on his debut album, The Truth. It included hits like "Don't Be Afraid", "Get a Little Freaky with Me", "Let's Make Love", and others. One of his biggest singles, "I Miss You", reached #2 on the R&B chart and later peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his biggest pop hit.[9] In later years, he created hits for movie soundtracks and collaborated with other artists.

Hall's hits include the #1 R&B single, "Don't Be Afraid".[9] The original and remix of "Don't Be Afraid" was produced by Hank Shocklee from The Bomb Squad; Shocklee produced Public Enemy's music as well.

Hall released a second studio album in 1998, Inside of You. After the failed Guy reunion in 1997, which only brought a track for the New York Undercover movie soundtrack, Hall announced he would work on another solo album the following year. He names it as a new approach in his career, including a message to harsh conditions he had experienced in the industry.[10][11] The album features Faith Evans and hip-hop group Terror Squad, and it includes Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cuban Linx and Unique on a remixed track. The album had success with "All The Places (I Will Kiss You)" becoming a hit single, charting as a top 10 hit on Billboard's Top Hip Hop/R&B Songs and a top 30 song on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.[9]

In the late 2000s Hall resigned from MCA starting a new independent label named "Artists Only International". It was a music subsidiary of "Headstart Entertainment". He declared he was "..no longer a slave anymore" referring to his former contract with MCA.[12] Hall experimented with different genres mixing R&B, reggae and hip-hop together, giving his approach to music a more distanced critique from reviewers than usual.[13] He defined it as his "last album" and in an article teased that he would later use a new persona, a new name ("E. Kane"). His visions didn't jibe with his future plans.[14] The album was released in July 2005, following the album release of singer K-Ci releasing ("My Book") on the same label in 2006.

During the spring of 1994, Hall recorded the song, "Gonna Give it to Ya" with Jewell. It is on Above the Rim's soundtrack which stars Tupac Shakur and Duane Martin.

In the final quarter of 1994, he participated in recording Black Men United with Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Tevin Campbell, D'Angelo, R. Kelly, Gerald Levert, and Hall's brother and fellow Guy member Damion Hall in the song "U Will Know" from the Jason's Lyric soundtrack. Hall also recorded the song "Heaven's Girl" with R. Kelly, and Ronald Isley & Charlie Wilson on Quincy Jones' 1995 album Q's Jook Joint.

In 1995, Hall produced a song with Dalvin DeGrate for the Dangerous Minds movie soundtrack named "Curiosity". It was the second most charted song of the album along with "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio. The vinyl single includes an exclusive remix by Marley Marl, featuring Redman.

Hall has a son with hip hop model Gloria Velez. He was featured with 2Pac, K-Ci & JoJo and Danny Boy in the 2Pac single "Toss It Up" in his 1996 album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Hall also recorded a song with Christopher Wallace called "Why You Tryin' To Play Me". It was produced by "X-tra Large" and recorded around1997 before Wallace's death. It was posthumously released on The Projects Presents "Ballhers Forever" compilation by an X-Mix service label.

In 2009, Aaron Hall has presented his ability as a dog trainer in a video titled "Aaron Hall's Dog Rehab" on YouTube.