Keith Sweat Biography
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Keith Sweat
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| Keith Sweat | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Keith Douglas Sweat |
| Born | July 22, 1961 |
| Origin | Harlem, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Urban R&B New Jack Swing |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter Record producer |
| Years active | 1984-present |
| Labels | Keia (1992–present) Elektra (time leased from News Corporation) (1987–2004) Atco / Rhino (2007–present) |
| Associated acts | LSG, Kut Klose, Silk, Medina Lewis |
| Website | http://thesweathotel.com |
Keith Sweat, born on July 22, 1961 in Harlem, New York, is an American R&B/soul, singer-songwriter, record producer, radio personality and a major contributor to the New jack swing era.
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Biography
Before becoming a recording artist, Sweat worked for the commodities market in the New York Mercantile Exchange. He sang at nightclubs throughout New York City until he was discovered and offered a recording contract with Elektra Records in 1987.citation needed
He has daughters Keyshia (b. 1990) and Keia (b. 1992). He named his record label, Keia Entertainment, after his younger daughter 1.
From 1992-2002 he was married to Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Lisa Wu Hartwell. With her he has sons Jordan (b. 1995) and Justin (b. 1998)123.
Music career
Make It Last Forever era: 1984-1993
Sweat started his musical career as a member of a well known 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 Larry Peoples, a talented bass player from 116th Street and Lenox Avenue, Michael Samuels, guitarist out of the Bronx, and drummer Walter Bradley from 125th in Harlem. Additional members of the group included Peter DaCosta, vocals, Joseph McGeachy, sax, Dwight Banks, trumpet, Kenneth Varner, keyboards, and Gregory Ross, keyboards. On November 25, 1987, Sweat released his debut album Make It Last Forever, which sold three million copies. The biggest hit from this album was "I Want Her" (#1 R&B/#5 Pop), and the title track from the album hit #2 on the R&B charts.
Sweat continued to chart fairly well with his second album I'll Give All My Love to You, which hit #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, and Keep It Comin' debuted in the Top 20 of the album chart. It did not sell as well because Keith did not promote the album. The big singles were "(There You Go) Tellin' Me No Again" from New Jack City, "Why Me Baby" (featuring LL Cool J) and the title track. Keith was moving from New York to Atlanta, and he was starting his Keia Records label that would feature Silk & Kut Klose.
Still in the Game era: 1994-1999
Sweat released his fourth album Get Up On It in the summer of 1994. He followed with Keith Sweat, his self-titled fifth album, in 1996, which hit #5 on the Billboard 200. The single "Twisted" hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Nobody" hit #3, which made them Sweat's biggest hits to date. The song "Just A Touch", with Kut Klose providing background vocals, was also a popular song on the album which did not take off and become a top 3 hit like the two aforementioned songs, it has earned a more regular spot on radio playlists. The Billboard chart rule at the time stated that songs without an official single release are ineligible to enter the Hot 100. "Just A Touch" was a cover of the song "Just a Touch of Love" from a 1979 Slave album titled Just a Touch of Love. His sixth album, Still in the Game was released in 1998, hitting #6 on the Billboard 200, and #2 on the R&B/Hip Hop albums chart. It featured the singles "Come and Get With Me" (which featured Snoop Dogg) (#12 Hot 100) and "I'm Not Ready" (#16 Hot 100).
Rebirth era: 2000
Sweat's success on the charts started to diminish in 2000, when he released the album Didn't See Me Coming. None of the singles managed to make it to the Top 40. They were moderate hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. On August 13, 2002, Keith Sweat released his ninth album, Rebirth. Only one single, "One on One," charted on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #75 and at #44 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. His next album due sometime in 2007 has fared better with its first single, "Love U Better (featuring Keyshia Cole)" being played on Urban radio stations for about a year before the albums' release. To this day, Sweat is still recognized as a great R&B artist who influenced a generation of singers. His songs remain popular in the "Quiet Storm" genre. Sweat also still tours and does shows almost every weekend in large arenas and casino properties.
Protegés
In 1992, Sweat discovered the group Silk, and helped craft their debut album, Lose Control, which hit #7 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album's single "Freak Me" hit #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 the their biggest hit single "I Like", peaking to #8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
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 R&B group Xscape.
Sweat also formed the R&B supergroup LSG with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill, and released their self-titled debut Levert, Sweat, Gill in 1997. That album featured "My Body", which became a huge hit single. LSG was certified 2x Platinum and reached number four on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | RIAA Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 1987 | Make It Last Forever | 15 | 1 | 3x Platinum (3,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 1990 | I'll Give All My Love to You | 6 | 1 | 2x Platinum (2,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 1991 | Keep It Comin' | 19 | 1 | Platinum (1,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 1994 | Get Up on It | 8 | 1 | Platinum (1,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 1996 | Keith Sweat | 5 | 1 | 4x Platinum (4,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 1998 | Still in the Game | 6 | 2 | Platinum (1,000,000+ copies sold) |
| 2000 | Didn't See Me Coming | 16 | 5 | Gold (500,000+ copies sold) |
| 2002 | Rebirth | 14 | 7 | N/A (300,024+ copies sold) |
| 2008 | Just Me | 10 | 1 | N/A (50,679+ copies sold) |
Live albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | RIAA Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 2003 | Keith Sweat Live | 86 | 34 | N/A (100,000+ copies sold) |
| 2007 | Sweat Hotel Live | - | - | N/A (? copies sold) |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | RIAA Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 2004 | The Best Of Keith Sweat | - | - | Gold (500,000+ copies sold) |
| 2009 | The Magnificent | - | - | N/A (? copies sold) |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Certification | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | ||||
| 1987 | "I Want Her" | 5 | 1 | Gold | Make It Last Forever |
| 1988 | "Something Just Ain't Right" | 79 | 3 | ||
| "Make It Last Forever" (with Jacci McGhee) | 59 | 2 | |||
| "Don't Stop Your Love" | — | 9 | |||
| 1990 | "Make You Sweat" | 14 | 1 | Gold | I'll Give All My Love To You |
| "Merry Go Round" | — | 2 | |||
| "I'll Give All My Love to You" | 7 | 1 | |||
| 1991 | "Your Love Part 2" | 71 | 4 | ||
| "Keep It Comin'" | 17 | 1 | Keep It Comin' | ||
| 1992 | "Why Me Baby" (ft. LL Cool J) | 44 | 2 | ||
| "I Want To Love You Down" | — | 20 | |||
| 1994 | "How Do You Like It" (ft. Left Eye) | 48 | 9 | Get Up On It | |
| "When I Give My Love" | 85 | 21 | |||
| "Get Up On It" (with Kut Klose) | 62 | 12 | |||
| 1996 | "Twisted" (ft. Pretty Russ & Kut Klose) | 2 | 1 | Platinum | Keith Sweat |
| "Nobody" (ft. Athena Cage) | 3 | 1 | Platinum | ||
| 1997 | "Just a Touch" | — | 38^ | ||
| "Come With Me" (ft. Ronald Isley) | 68 | 27 | |||
| 1998 | "Come And Get With Me" (ft. Snoop Dogg) | 12 | 6 | Gold | Still In The Game |
| 1999 | "I'm Not Ready" | 16 | 12 | ||
| 2000 | "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (ft. Lil' Mo) | — | 36 | Didn't See Me Coming | |
| 2001 | "Real Man" | — | 73 | ||
| 2002 | "One on One" | — | 44 | Rebirth | |
| 2007 | "Love U Better" (ft. Keyshia Cole) | — | — | Just Me | |
| 2008 | "Suga Suga Suga" (ft. Paisley Bettis) | — | 36 | ||
- ^ Airplay only
Production credits
| Year | Artist | Track | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Men At Large | "Don't Cry" | One Size Fits All |
| 1996 | Dru Hill | "Love's Train" | Dru Hill |
| 1996 | Dru Hill | "Share My World" | Dru Hill |
| 1996 | The Isley Brothers | "Slow Is The Way" | Mission To Please |
| 1997 | Immature | "Extra Extra" | The Journey |
| 1997 | The O'Jays | "Baby You Know" | Love You To Tears |
| 1998 | Ol' Skool | "Am I Dreaming" | Ol' Skool |
Awards and nominations
- American Music Awards
- 1998, Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist [Nominated]
- 1997, Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist (Winner)
- 1997, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Keith Sweat (Nominated)
- 1991, Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist (Nominated)
References
External links
- Keith Sweat homepage at Atlantic Records
- Biography & booking information
- Keith Sweat artist page at VH1.com
- Keith Sweat artist page at Allmusic
- Keith Sweat at Wenig-LaMonica Associates
- Sweathotel
- Keith Sweat Scores Billboard Top Ten Debut, #1 R&B/Hip Hop Album in The Country Singersroom
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