Keith Sweat Biography

The R&B soul sensation Keith Sweat was born in 1961 in New York. Sweat lost his father at an early age and grew up in a struggling single-parent house, often working odd and small jobs to help the family get by. By the time he was in his twenties, though, he was singing as part of the band Jamilah. After leaving the group, Keith began performing in New York City nightclubs regularly until Elektra Records took notice of his talents and signed him as a solo artist in 1987.

Sweat’s debut album, Make it Last Forever, was released later that same year and was a smash hit, rising to the top of the charts and reaching multi-platinum status. The hit single “I Want Her” earned a Soul Train nomination for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song, and the album’s additional singles, including “Make it Last Forever,” all rose to the top of the charts as well. Keith’s sophomore effort, I’ll Give All My Love to You, was equally successful upon its release in 1990, spawning the hit “(There You Go) Tellin’ Me No Again.”

Since that time, Keith Sweat has released the hit albums: Keep It Comin’ (1991), Get Up on It (1994), Keith Sweat (1996), Still in the Fame (1998), Didn’t See Me Coming (2000), Rebirth (2002), Just Me (2008), Ridin’ Solo (2010), and Til the morning (2011.) The albums have given audiences the additional top ten R&B hits “Make You Sweat,” “Keep It Comin,” “How Do You Like It,” “Twisted,” “Nobody,” and “Come and Get with Me.” Sweat has been recognized with three American Music Award nominations, for Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist and Album, and won in 1997 as Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist.

In addition to his own work as an artist, Keith Sweat has become well-known for his production work and his efforts in helping establish the success of other artist and groups. He assisted the groups Silk, Kut Klose, and Ol’ Skool in recording their debuts, and produced a number of tracks for the artists. In 1987, he established LSG alongside Johnny Gill and Gerald Levert, releasing the album Levert.Sweat.Gill, which spawned the hit “My Body.”

Keith Sweat continues to perform, record, and produce, and has plans for another album release in the near future.