Riff (band)
Encyclopedia
Riff is a R&B vocal group from New Jersey
, formed while its members were in high school
. The ensemble began under the name Playboys in the late 1980s, with a style strongly influenced by doo wop.
After singing in the movie Lean on Me
, the group changed its name to Riff and signed to SBK Records
, releasing a self-titled album in 1991. The group scored several respectable hits, including three in the Billboard Hot 100
. Their song "Family" appears on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack.
Following the success of the album, the group appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show
, The Tonight Show
and Soul Train
, and opened on tour for LL Cool J
and Vanilla Ice
.
The group's second album, To Whom It May Concern, came out in 1993 to mixed reviews. It had two charting singles on the R&B charts.
Anthony "Chill" Fuller, Dwayne "Stylz" Jones and Michael "Nitty Green" Best went on to join the group Men of Vizion
.
In 2009, Riff reunited and started work on returning to the R&B industry with a new album.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, formed while its members were in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. The ensemble began under the name Playboys in the late 1980s, with a style strongly influenced by doo wop.
After singing in the movie Lean on Me
Lean on Me (film)
Lean on Me is a 1989 dramatized biographical written by Michael Schiffer, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Morgan Freeman. Lean on Me is loosely based on the story of Joe Louis Clark, a real life inner city high school principal in Paterson, New Jersey, whose school is at risk of being...
, the group changed its name to Riff and signed to SBK Records
SBK Records
SBK Records was a record label of the EMI Group that was founded in 1988.Stephen Swid, Martin Bandier, and Charles Koppelman formed the production company SBK in 1989 after they purchased the music publishing division of CBS Records in 1986....
, releasing a self-titled album in 1991. The group scored several respectable hits, including three in the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. Their song "Family" appears on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack.
Following the success of the album, the group appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American variety/talk show that aired late weeknights in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian/actor Arsenio Hall.- Background :...
, The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
and Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
, and opened on tour for LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
and Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice
Robert Matthew Van Winkle , best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality...
.
The group's second album, To Whom It May Concern, came out in 1993 to mixed reviews. It had two charting singles on the R&B charts.
Anthony "Chill" Fuller, Dwayne "Stylz" Jones and Michael "Nitty Green" Best went on to join the group Men of Vizion
Men Of Vizion
Men of Vizion is an R&B quintet that came to fame in 1996, with the debut album, Personal, which featured the songs "Housekeeper" and "Do Thangz", produced by Teddy Riley, "Lil" Chris Smith.-Career:...
.
In 2009, Riff reunited and started work on returning to the R&B industry with a new album.
Discography
- Riff (SBKSBK RecordsSBK Records was a record label of the EMI Group that was founded in 1988.Stephen Swid, Martin Bandier, and Charles Koppelman formed the production company SBK in 1989 after they purchased the music publishing division of CBS Records in 1986....
, 1991) US #177, US R&B #41 - To Whom it May Concern (ERG, 1993)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles | ||
| 1991 | "My Heart Is Failing Me" | 25 | 6 |
| "If You're Serious" | 88 | 7 | |
| "Everytime My Heart Beats" | - | 26 | |
| 1992 | "White Men Can't Jump" | 90 | 41 |
| 1993 | "Judy Had a Boyfriend" | - | 91 |
| 1994 | "Baby It's Yours" | - | 65 |