What Ever Happened to: Intro

One of the ’90s most unappreciated R&B groups also has one of the most tragic stories.

It’s a sad reminder of how fleeting life can be. But let’s not mourn, let’s celebrate the music of Intro, one of the best R&B groups you’ve probably forgotten about.

Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Intro was comprised of Jeff Sanders, Clinton ‘Buddy’ Wike and the voice of the group, Kenny Greene.

Now, depending on whom you ask, Intro was originally meant to be an acronym, meaning Innovative New Talent Reaching Out. Uh huh. It’s sort of like how people claimed that Junior M.A.F.I.A. stood for Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes or how Rick R.O.S.S. means Really Opposed to Side Salads. Well, that last one is probably true but in Intro’s case I bet it’s revisionist history at work.

Intro’s self-titled debut for Atlantic Records dropped in 1993 with the lead single, “Come Inside.” Ahem. I was much too young and innocent to pick up on the double entendre, I just thought it was a hot song. And I wasn’t wrong – years later, it’s still a banger. It was a modest hit too, climbing to No. 9 on the R&B charts and doing well on pop as well.

“Come Inside” was by far the group’s biggest hit and their only crossover success but don’t be mistaken, they had more heat. “Love Thang” was a decent uptempo number with a video that featured 1,001 ’90s cliches.

Brothers in a dark alley – check.

Dudes standing on raggedy scaffolding – check

Everyone wearing skull caps – check.

Woman showing off her beeper – check.

All we needed was some rain and backup dancers stomping in water puddles.

“Let Me Be The One” was another fun midtempo track but the one that really turned heads was Intro’s cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon In The Sky.” There’s a reason why you rarely hear covers anymore – no one has the balls (or ability) to do ’em. But Intro took up the challenge and did very well. No, they didn’t totally own the song and make their own (although Donell Jones would later, but that’s a rant for another day). Still, it was a very respectable effort that reached No. 11 on the R&B charts.

In 1995, Intro released their sophomore effort, the appropriately titled New Life.

It didn’t live up to its name though. I remember my radio station wearing out the first single “Funny How Time Flies.” It’s one of those songs that you might not like on your first listen but it eventually bores its way into your brain. It peaked at No. 25 on the R&B charts and even made a brief appearance on the pop charts. The follow up, “Feels Like The First Time,” couldn’t duplicate that success, though.

Soon after, the group called it quits, sinking back into the shadows with the rest of mid-90s hitmakers while hip-hop began to dominate the landscape. But during that time, Kenny Greene began to make his name as a songwriter. He had already penned two early hits for Mary J. Blige – “Reminisce” and “Love No Limit” – and continued that success with other artists, including 98 Degrees and Will Smith.

But the music world was rocked in 2001 when Greene, who is bisexual, revealed to the world that he was suffering from AIDS. He died later that year. It was heartbreaking to lose such a talented artist so soon.

Should They Come Back?: The remaining members of Intro have added Ramon Adams and Eric Pruitt as members and have been discussing a comeback for years. If they’ve released any new music I haven’t heard it. Honestly, without Greene, who was the pen AND the voice for the group, it will be very hard to recapture the magic. It’s a shame because they could have been so much more.

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31 Comments

  1. I just listened to that whole CD from start to finish today. I honestly think the cover of Ribbon In the Sky is the best cover of any song I’ve ever heard. The lead singer’s voice was unbelievable; comparable to the greats like Donny Hathaway (who also died too soon) Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross……just powerful.
    Thanks for the shout out to one of the most talented and under-rated boy bands of the 90’s.

  2. I absolutely love the group intro they are my favorite 90s R&B group Kenny’s voice and writing skills were amazing they all were…I find his story extremely fascinating n relevant to today…I think more people need to know about them n how they set the tone for R&b of that time…listen to Jodeci n Mary J Blige.. U hear Kennys influence…his riffs everything…I wish Unsung would to a episode on them omg it be #1…too bad his life was cut short n that he had to live in secrecy about who he really was…but 23 years later we still have these beautiful song he left behind to listen to… #RipKennyGreene

    • Wow, Intro! I’ve ALWAYS have loved this group,especially, Kenny Greene. Went online looking for the “Come Inside” video. And the resemblance between he & my ex is uncanny. May his talented spirit rest. They’ll never be another!

  3. One of a kind love to me was the quintessential Intro song…underrated but so what the 90’2 was all about musically. Everytime I listen to their first cd it takes me back to 1993….good shit

  4. Kenny Greene was intro and the other two were back-up vocalists,without kenny there is no INTRO…RIP Kenny

    • da 90's ruled musik August 22, 2016 at 12:50 pm

      Absolutely! Kenny was so humble and sweet. I remember the stuttering one who talked wayyy too much was doing the most in an interview and Kenny just sat there. I would’ve been like listen these my dudes, but they can’t sing like that!! SIKE just joking. RIH G-Love you are truly missed!!

      • Yes. Kenny was my cousin. We lived together as young children and again as teenagers. He was so smart and a kind spirit. He sung at my wedding. I will always remember. Rip

  5. I love their music and have their albums and their new singles. I always wondered if Kenny was too controlling with him singing all the leads. The Jeff and Clinton have great voices and it is apparent on the comeback tracks with all singing. Who knows what is what as the music business is so shady, which is why I have no guilt about getting all my music free thru downloads.

  6. Intro was so underated!!!! I love this group and all their songs… Kenny had a very God given voice and shared it with us. RIH Kenny, we miss you

  7. The music was mostly about free and loose sex. No thanks. Surely they could have better songs than that.

    • Minyonne Straughter August 7, 2019 at 7:08 am

      I am and will always be a huge fan of INTRO. KENNY GREENE will.always be missed .they need to make unsung do a story in the group..they need to tell their story.

    • Minyonne Straughter August 7, 2019 at 7:10 am

      I disagree..Intro group..was just like any other boy group.they talked about love .

  8. Really a sad story. I love the group and there music. Very talented Kenneth Greene had the voice of an angel.

  9. I remember serving with Clinton ‘Buddy’ Wike in the Army, Ft Bragg. One day he took leave to New York and needed to extend, ( he had an opportunity at the time to start his music) His extension was denied, he had a tough decision to make. He didn’t come back….he chased his dream

  10. Intro is by far one of my favorite R&B groups IOC all time. I still play their first album cover to cover. And I TOTALLY agree, Ribbon in the Sky was the best remake. It still brings me to tears.

  11. One of my favorites 90s R&B groups I have both there CDs best ribbon in the sky cover to me

  12. I am very confused …so help me…did Kenny die in 2017 or 2001…? I googled several articles on him I’m hoping I read it wrong. It said that his family did not attend his funeral…is that true…?

    • He passed away in 2001.As for his family nit attending his funeral… I don’t know. Maybe they didn’t agree with his lifestyle; I hope this is not the case.

      • in one of their interview I saw on YOutube, it seems they are from a very religious background and that could be the reason and remember back in the days , HIV was a no go area for anyone. the stigma and shame was too much for some people to bear

    • Yes word is they didn’t attend n gone in 2001. So sad BEST GROUP EVER OF THAT TIME

    • His mother, sister and brother did not attend the funeral. His father passes in 1995 which was my uncle. His mother hid it from us where Kenny was located and his condition. She could not accept his lifestyle. He took are of her and in return she did not attend his funeral. So sad. I will always love ❤️ cousin. Kenny Greene

  13. Man I’m lost for words. I’m just now finding out that Kenny Green of the group Intro had died.May his soul R.I.P

  14. This group…Love is an under statement. I grew up as a teenager in the 90’s and there has not and will not be any music that will stand even close too it. I wish they will do an Unsung story on this great group. Ribbon in the sky was simply amazing. The whole album was!!!

  15. I was lucky enough to see them at Hackney Empire in 1993 and I actually got a cutie that night…( hmm whatever hapnd to her) Their performance was amazing. it such a great shame they never got the big time they deserved and thats because the 90s was full of hot acts and the boys had the RnB scene locked down with the likes of Jodeci, Htown, B2M, Silk etc. However Intro ‘Inside is always fresh anytime you listen to it and makes youfall inlove again with those days’ RIP Kenny and Good luck to the Others if they ever come out with a new track

  16. Jeff ,Clinton n Kenny are the best. I hope they got their props for writing. Truth be told they are very much loved and I’m happy we got to know them. Good luck with the new era. Shout out to Jeff and Clinton. Hope Jeff gets his wish n all the best to Clinton.and family. Rip Kenny

  17. Sad as hell…his desire for men cut him off quick for a promising career…smh…

  18. My all time favorite male group! Sad to know I will never see them live. Ribbon in the sky…naw the whole album was it for me. RIP Kenny 😢

  19. I just read this article about the lead singer being bi-sexual and had aids which he succumb to in 2001. This is a tragedy as I lived in San Diego at the time and was grooving to this brother and his band mates songs. Ribbon in the sky is one of my all time favorites and the whole album was great, is great and we should be celebrating it as such. 90s R&B was all about expressing your desires be it flirting, sex, dancing and the hope of finding the your soul mate. It is very different now then back then. R.I.P. Kenny Greene.

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