By 1996, Keith Sweat had four platinum albums on his resume (Make It Last Forever, I’ll Give All My Love To You, Keep It Comin’ and Get Up On It). The first three were released during the New Jack Swing era. Like Sweat, many R&B singers came during that time frame. However, many didn’t survive post-New Jack.
Sweat’s fourth release, Get Up On It, was the transitioning album. He was still a brand, but the climate had begun to change among R&B male artists. With cats such as R. Kelly, Joe, Brian McKnight, and D’Angelo, among others, commanding attention, the competition was stiffening. Keith’s next release had to be solid or he could have gotten lost in the shuffle. Needless to say, his fifth release, the self-titled, Keith Sweat, reminded the R&B world his name remains among the elite.
[Tune In To HipHop-Album-Debate, “The Podcast” Every Tuesday and Friday!]
“Twisted,” a mid-tempo cut about an unstable–back & fourth relationship, was the lead single. Kut Klose, Keith’s female group, assisted with the background vocals.
The song spent three weeks at number one on the US R&B chart and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Nobody,” the second single, found it’s way on the charts as well. Featuring Athena Cage of the aforementioned Kut Klose, the song atop the US R&B chart and reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Harlem native has a history of creating exceptional material when he invites other fellow male crooners to help with vocals. “Funk Dope Lovin'” and “Come with Me” further exemplifies that. The former featured the late-Gerald Levert, Aaron Hall, and Buddy Banks. The latter featured Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers.
“Freak with Me” and “In the Mood” were up-tempo jams that you could play for your significant other in the bedroom or in your car’s Bose system.
Keith wrapped the album up with a dedication to the beautiful dark-skinned sisters in “Chocolate Girl.”
Keith Sweat peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200. It held steady on the top 10 throughout the remainder of ’96.
Based on 1 to 10 scale — 1 Not Impressed, 10 Means Classic!
Keith Sweat’s ‘Keith Sweat’; Classic!, Jammin’, Regular, or Not Impressed?
Polls Are Closed!!
Jammin’ (7-9 Rating) – 50%
Classic! (10 Rating) – 50%
Not Impressed (0-3 Rating) – 0%
Regular (4-6 Rating) – 0%