Keith Sweat

Biography

Keith Sweat (born July 22, 1961) is an American singer, producer and songwriter. An early figure in the new jack swing musical movement, he is known for his collection of hits including "I Want Her×I Want Her21 September 1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1I Want Her (extended version)6:22A2I Want Her (acappella dub beat)4:07B1I Want Her (instrumental)2:42B2I Want Her (LP version)5:58," "Make It Last Forever×Make It Last Forever1 January 1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Something Just Ain’t Right5:152Right and Wrong Way5:173Tell Me It’s Me You Want4:494I Want Her6:015Make It Last Forever4:576In the Rain5:477How Deep Is Your Love4:518Don’t Stop Your Love6:14," "I'll Give All My Love to You×I'll Give All My Love to You12 June 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Interlude (I'll Give All My Love To You)0:552Make You Sweat5:203Come Back4:434Merry Go Round7:315Your Love5:156Your Love - Part 25:557Just One Of Them Thangs (Duet With Gerald Levert)6:168I Knew That You Were Cheatin4:419Love To Love You4:5010I'll Give All My Love To You6:32," "Make You Sweat," "Get Up on It×Get Up on It28 June 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Interlude (How Do You Like It?)0:302How Do You Like It?4:343It Gets Better3:444Get Up on It5:075Feels So Good3:546How Do You Like It? (Part 2)4:147Intermission Break1:248My Whole World3:379Grind on You5:0510When I Give My Love6:0611Put Your Lovin' Through the Test4:3512Telephone Love0:5613Come Into My Bedroom5:2614For You (You Got Everything)5:06," "Twisted×Twisted3 June 1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Twisted4:132Twisted (Flavahood Sexual remix)5:053Twisted (Sweat Shop Party remix Without Rap)4:174Twisted (Flavahood Sexual remix Without Rap)4:055Twisted (Flavahood Sexual instrumental)5:056Twisted (Acappella)4:33," and "Nobody×Nobody1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Nobody4:142In the Mood3:46." He has released 13 solo albums (two as a part of the R&B supergroup LSG) and discovered the groups Silk and Kut Klose. Sweat's sound reportedly was influenced by Slave front man Steve Arrington and go-go music.

Early life

Keith Sweat was born in Harlem, New York City to Juanita Thompson, a hairdresser, and Charles Sweat, a factory worker. After Charles Sweat's passing in 1973, Juanita raised their five children by herself. In his youth, Sweat performed at the famous Apollo Theater, which was near his home.
Before releasing his solo album, Sweat worked as a night stock worker at Macy's Department Store, and then a mail room clerk at Paine Webber, a brokerage firm. Additionally, he earned a degree in communications from City College of New York. “I think everyone should have an alternative plan. In my case, I went to the City College of New York and got my degree in communications. So I had a backup plan so that I didn’t lose out on a decent future,” Sweat once said.
Within just four years, he worked his way up to a lucrative brokerage assistant job on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Sweat also worked as a supervisor for the New York Mercantile Exchange.

1975–1984: Career beginnings with Jamilah

Sweat started his musical career as a member of a Harlem band called Jamilah in 1975. With the help of Jamilah, Sweat was able to hone his craft as a lead singer by performing regionally throughout the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The group was started by bassist Larry Peoples, guitarist Michael Samuels, and drummer Walter Bradley.
After leaving the group in 1984 to begin a solo career, Sweat sang at nightclubs throughout New York City and landed a chance to record for the independent label, Stadium Records. Sweat recorded only two tunes for Stadium, "Lucky Seven" and "My Mind Is Made Up," which was their third and fourth ever release, but on Stadium's first release, he is credited as co-writer and co-producer of "You Are the One for Me," the last recording ever made by the group GQ. One of GQ's original members is his uncle, Keith "Sabu" Crier.

1987–1989: Make It Last Forever

Later in 1987, Keith Sweat was discovered by Vincent Davis and offered a recording contract with his label, Vintertainment Records, which was founded in 1983 on the foundations of early Hip-Hop and otherwise best known for releasing Joeski Love's "Pee Wee's Dance" in 1985. Vintertainment was distributed by Elektra Records from 1985 until it ceased operations in 1990.
While crafting his debut album, Sweat pursued fellow Harlem resident Teddy Riley, who, at this time, was better known for writing for and producing hip-hop artists. According to Riley, he already had the beats prepared for "I Want Her×I Want Her21 September 1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1I Want Her (extended version)6:22A2I Want Her (acappella dub beat)4:07B1I Want Her (instrumental)2:42B2I Want Her (LP version)5:58" and "Make It Last Forever×Make It Last Forever1 January 1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Something Just Ain’t Right5:152Right and Wrong Way5:173Tell Me It’s Me You Want4:494I Want Her6:015Make It Last Forever4:576In the Rain5:477How Deep Is Your Love4:518Don’t Stop Your Love6:14," along with all of the background vocals for "I Want Her." Riley had no intention of producing R&B music, and he also encouraged Sweat to sing in what would become his trademark nasal sound to distinguish his voice from other artists. Riley noted that Sweat's songwriting style also was unique as he composed lyrics instantly while listening to the track, as he did for the single, "Make It Last Forever."
On November 24, 1987, Sweat released Make It Last Forever, which sold three million copies. He and Riley co-wrote six songs; and the biggest hit was "I Want Her" (No. 1 R&B & No. 5 Pop), which was nominated for the 1989 Soul Train Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year award, while the title track from the album hit No. 2 on the R&B charts.

1990-1991: I'll Give All My Love to You, and Keep It Comin

Sweat reached the charts again with his second album I'll Give All My Love to You×I'll Give All My Love to You12 June 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Interlude (I'll Give All My Love To You)0:552Make You Sweat5:203Come Back4:434Merry Go Round7:315Your Love5:156Your Love - Part 25:557Just One Of Them Thangs (Duet With Gerald Levert)6:168I Knew That You Were Cheatin4:419Love To Love You4:5010I'll Give All My Love To You6:32 (1990) which hit No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. He released his third album, Keep It Comin'×Keep It Comin'26 November 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Keep It Comin'4:112Spend a Little Time4:223Why Me Baby?5:284I Really Love You3:555Let Me Love You4:046I Want to Love You Down5:097I'm Going for Mine5:018(There You Go) Tellin' Me No Again5:099Give Me What I Want5:1710Ten Commandments of Love3:4911Keep It Comin' (Smooth Out version)5:23 in 1991, which debuted in the Top 20 of the album chart. He produced soul singer Omar Chandler.

1992–2001: Get Up on It, Keith Sweat/LSG

In 1992, Sweat discovered the group Silk, and helped craft their debut album, Lose Control, which hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
The album's single "Freak Me" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 1, 1993. In 1993, Sweat discovered the Atlanta-based female R&B group Kut Klose. Sweat also produced the group's debut album Surrender, which produced their biggest hit single "I Like", peaking to No. 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
In the fall of 1994, Sweat appeared in the group Black Men United (BMU) reuniting with Silk, Gerald Levert, Al B. Sure!, Brian McKnight, El DeBarge and others for the single "U Will Know", which was written by R&B musician D'Angelo for the soundtrack the film Jason's Lyric.
Sweat released his fourth album Get Up on It×Get Up on It28 June 1994 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Interlude (How Do You Like It?)0:302How Do You Like It?4:343It Gets Better3:444Get Up on It5:075Feels So Good3:546How Do You Like It? (Part 2)4:147Intermission Break1:248My Whole World3:379Grind on You5:0510When I Give My Love6:0611Put Your Lovin' Through the Test4:3512Telephone Love0:5613Come Into My Bedroom5:2614For You (You Got Everything)5:06 in the summer of 1994, and his self-titled fifth album in 1996. Both albums reached the top ten on the Billboard 200. The single co/produced and written by Eric McCaine "Twisted×Twisted3 June 1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Twisted4:132Twisted (Flavahood Sexual remix)5:053Twisted (Sweat Shop Party remix Without Rap)4:174Twisted (Flavahood Sexual remix Without Rap)4:055Twisted (Flavahood Sexual instrumental)5:056Twisted (Acappella)4:33" featuring R&B group Kut Klose hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Nobody×Nobody1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Nobody4:142In the Mood3:46" hit No. 3, which made them Sweat's biggest hits to date. "Just A Touch×Just a Touch1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Just a Touch (radio edit)4:112Just a Touch (Touch of Silk 7")4:333I Want Her (Street mix)5:514I Want Her (Final mix)5:59" was a cover of the 1979 song "Just a Touch of Love" by Slave. He produced for R&B group Dru Hill in 1996.
In the fall of 1997, Sweat discovered the group Ol' Skool and helped with their self-titled debut. He was on their biggest single, "Am I Dreaming", which featured the R&B group Xscape. Sweat also formed the R&B supergroup LSG with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill, and released their self-titled debut album Levert.Sweat.Gill was released that November. That album featured "My Body", which became a hit single. The album was certified double platinum and reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Sweat's sixth album, Still in the Game×Still in the Game22 September 1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Come and Get With Me4:562Rumors3:453Can We Make Love4:084Let Me Have My Way3:505What Goes Around4:496Love Jones4:277Too Hot4:108I'm Not Ready4:189Show U What Love Is3:5010Just Another Day4:2211You Know I Like3:4412In Your Eyes5:13 was released in 1998, hitting No. 6 on the Billboard 200, and No. 2 on the R&B/Hip Hop albums chart. It featured the singles "Come and Get With Me×Come and Get With Me1998 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Come and Get With Me (alternate edit)4:092Come and Get With Me (alternate radio edit)4:113Come and Get With Me (edit No rap)3:594Come and Get With Me (Clarkworld remix)4:005Come and Get With Me (original version)4:53" (which featured rapper Snoop Dogg) (No. 12 Hot 100) and "I'm Not Ready" (No. 16 Hot 100). Sweat's success on the charts started to diminish in 2000, when he released the album Didn't See Me Coming×Didn't See Me Coming14 November 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Intro1:052Things3:483Whatcha Like4:044Satisfy You2:525I Put U On3:526He Say She Say3:567Real Man4:318Kiss You4:369I'll Trade (A Million Bucks) (interlude)0:5610Don't Have Me4:0511Tonite0:5012Caught Up5:1913Games4:1214I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)4:0615Only Wanna Please You3:5616Why U Treat Me So Cold3:5317First Bonus Track: I'll Trade (A Million Bucks) (remix)3:5718Second Bonus Track: Dieser Brief [DeEn]3:47. None of the singles from the album reached the top forty.

2002–present: Rebirth, Just Me, Ridin Solo, and Til the Morning

On August 13, 2002, Keith Sweat released his eighth album, Rebirth×Rebirth13 August 2002 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1I Want You4:102Gots to Have It3:323Anything Goes3:384Ladies Night3:515100 Percent All Man3:356The Right Stuff4:087One on Left4:598Show Me4:379Trust Me4:3210Wonderful Thang4:2911In and Out4:5612Can I Be6:0913What Is It4:1514[untitled] (live)3:1715Twisted (live)5:19. The single "One on One" reached No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 44 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. His 2008 album Just Me×Just Me2 May 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Somebody4:012The Floor3:273Girl of My Dreams4:154Sexiest Girl4:005Butterscotch4:196Me and My Girl4:087Suga Suga Suga4:008Never Had a Lover3:419Love You Better4:3610Just Wanna Sex You3:2111What's a Man to Do3:3812Teach Me3:42 included the single, "Love U Better (featuring Keyshia Cole)". Sweat is currently signed to Kedar Records and released his tenth studio album entitled Ridin' Solo×Ridin' Solo21 June 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Famous3:572Full Time Lover3:493Test Drive4:054Ridin' Solo3:135Genius Girl4:286Do Wrong Tonight3:357Hood Sex4:008It's All About You4:209I'm the One You Want4:2110Live in Person4:4811It's a Shame4:4312Tropical4:41 on June 22, 2010. The lead single taken from the album is "Test Drive" and featured label-mate Joe.
Since 2007, Sweat has been the host of The Keith Sweat Hotel —a nationally syndicated radio program with Premiere Networks based upon the Quiet storm format.

Personal life

From 1992 until 2002, Sweat was married to The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Lisa Wu Hartwell. With her, he had two sons, born in 1995 and 1998.
He also has three daughters, one with Tracy J. He also has a son named Joshua.