• Tickets for Keith Sweat, Shinedown go on sale this week

  NOLA Live - Found Aug. 25, 2009 Keith Sweat sings at the Lakefront Arena on Oct. 10. Tickets go on sale this week for a pair of very different concerts at the UNO Lakefront Arena.

• Reflections: Father Knows Worst

  Michigan Chronicle - Found Nov. 18, 2009 Keith Sweat performed in Paris recently for the first time and was surprised that the large venue was sold out. L.A. police ask judge to keep Jackson records sealed - USA Today Janet: Michael in Denial of Drug Habit - CBS News Janet Jackson: Michael in denial over drugs - MSNBC Police ask judge to keep Jackson records sealed - USA Today Explore All

  MSNBC

• Roy Summey

  Index Journal - Found Nov. 13, 2009 Gayle Summey, the Rev. Keith Sweat and the Rev. Debra Griffis-Woodberry officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery.

• Beyonce Wins Big @ Soul Train Awards

  MaleFirst Mens Magazine - Found Nov. 5, 2009 Their stellar careers were celebrated with performances by Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, Brian McKnight and Kandi Burress, who joined forces to pay... Beyonce Is Triple Threat At Soul Train Awards - Post Chronicle Beyonce Dominated the Soul Train Awards - Hollyscoop Explore All

• Love, Peace and Soul Reigned at the 'CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL ...

  Interest!ALERT - Found Nov. 4, 2009 Both were honored by some of today's hottest artists including Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, Raheem DeVaughn, Kandi Burress, Brian McKnight, who paid... EXCLUSIVE: Celebs at the Soul Train Awards - BET.com PICTURES: Celebs at the Soul Train Awards - BET.com Explore All

• Five Spot: Jigga, Skiing, Gay Sex and Swishahouse

  Houston Press - Found Nov. 6, 2009 Oh, we got it: Kid Cudi. (Ohhhh! Face, Cudi.) 'U Like' A Keith Sweat 'Make It Last Forever' sample, Coota? And you've got Z-Ro singing the sample?

• Concert Roundup: Ferrick, Flecktones, Devo and more

  Star Ledger - Found Nov. 14, 2009 29, 8 p.m.: Keith Sweat, New YorkNov. 29, 3 p.m.: Cristina Fontanelli, 'Christmas in Italy', New YorkNov. 30, 9 p.m.: Sloan, HobokenNov.

• D'Antoni singing Douglas' praises

  New York Post - Found Oct. 26, 2009 ... coach Mike D'Antoni with his vocal skills, and earned praise for his impersonation of R&B singer Keith Sweat, as well as for his defense.

• Own an Xbox 360? Take Forza 3 for a spin

  Houston Chronicle - Found Oct. 30, 2009 Bummer. Rollin' around the tracks, playing Saliva, Ludi or even Keith Sweat, blazing at 180 is the only way to roll.

• Own an Xbox 360? Take ?Forza 3? for a spin

  Houston Chronicle - Found Oct. 27, 2009 Bummer. Rollin' around the tracks, playing Saliva, Ludi or even Keith Sweat, blazing at 180 is the only way to roll.

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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.

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, and Kenneth Varner, 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

Live albums

Compilation albums

Singles

• ^ Airplay only

Production credits

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