The vocal quintet Kai formed in 1992 when AC Lorenzo recruited Andrew Gapuz and Leo Chan for a San Francisco-area benefit concert, then continued working with the pair. They added Errol Viray and Lorenzo's cousin Andrey Silva in 1995, and signed to the local HB Records soon after. Kai's debut single "Say You'll Stay" did well on regional radio, leading them to be signed by Geffen in 1997. Kai's self-titled debut album was released in June 1998.