Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer born on July 22, 1961, in Harlem, New York. He rose to fame as a pioneer of the new jack swing genre in the late 1980s.
Raised in Harlem near the Apollo Theatre, Sweat graduated from City College of New York with a communications degree and briefly worked on Wall Street. His father passed away when he was 12, and he was raised by his mother alongside four siblings. He began performing regionally with the band Jamilah in 1975.
Sweat's 1987 debut album Make It Last Forever sold over three million copies, featuring hits like "I Want Her" (No. 1 R&B) and the title track (No. 2 R&B). He earned a 1989 Soul Train nomination for "I Want Her" and followed with successes like I'll Give All My Love to You (1990) and Keep It Comin' (1991).
Notable singles include "Twisted," "Nobody," and "Make You Sweat," with 13 solo albums and work with supergroup LSG alongside Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill. Sweat discovered and produced for groups like Silk ("Freak Me" hit No. 1 on Hot 100) and Kut Klose. He relocated to Atlanta in 1992, building a studio and achieving sales of 25 million records worldwide.
Keith Sweat
Rap – "Pretty Russ"
Written-By – Athena Cage, Eric McCaine, Keith Sweat, Lavonn Battle, Tabitha Duncan 4:30
2 Funky Dope Lovin'
Vocals – Aaron Hall, Buddy Banks, Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat
Written-By – William "Billy Bad" Ward 4:51
3 Yumi
Written-By – Eric McCaine, Keith Sweat 4:21
4 Whatever You Want
Written-By – Fitzgerald Scott, Keith Sweat 4:18
5 Just A Touch
Written-By – Webster, Hicks, Turner, Young, Arrington 5:03
6 Freak With Me
Written-By – Donald Parks, Emanuel Officer, John Howcott, Keith Sweat 4:44
7 Nature's Rising (Interlude) 0:55
8 Come With Me
Vocals – Keith Sweat, Ronald Isley
Written-By – Fitzgerald Scott, Keith Sweat 3:56
9 In The Mood
Written-By – Eric McCaine, Keith Sweat 3:45
10 Show Me The Way (Interlude)
Written-By – Allan "Grip" Smith, Keith Sweat 2:50
11 Nobody
Vocals – Athena Cage, Keith Sweat
Written-By – Fitzgerald Scott, Keith Sweat 4:24
12 Chocolate Girl
Written-By – Alphonso "Doc" Walker, Antonio Street, Keith Sweat 4:45
Label: Elektra – 61707-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1996
Genre:R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing
Released on June 25, 1996, Keith Sweat is the self-titled fifth studio album by American R&B singer Keith Sweat. It is widely considered his most commercially successful work, achieving quadruple platinum status in the U.S. and featuring two of his biggest career hits, "Twisted" and "Nobody".
The album is a quintessential example of mid-90s contemporary R&B, blending smooth "boudoir" ballads with upbeat New Jack Swing and urban soul influences.
It showcases Sweat’s signature "pleading" or whining vocal style, which became a defining element of romantic R&B during this era.
The album was executive produced by Keith Sweat, with additional production from Eric McCaine, Fitzgerald Scott, The D.O.C., and William "Billy Bad" Ward.
Features prominent guest appearances from R&B royalty: Gerald Levert, Aaron Hall, Ronald Isley, and Athena Cage.
Considered a staple of '90s R&B, with fans praising its "awesome tunes," "classic" feel, and "babymaker" quality.
The album was seen as a testament to Keith Sweat's consistent ability to deliver hit after hit, showcasing confident songwriting, powerful vocals, and production that defined mid-90s urban contemporary music, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.