Keith Sweat (born Keith Crier in Harlem, New York on July 22, 1961) is an R&B singer\songwriter\record producer who started his career in the late 80’s and is also known as a major contributor to the New Jack Swing music movement.
In his early years, Keith’s father Charles passed away in 1973, leaving his mother, Juanita to raise him and his siblings alone.
He began singing when he was 4 years old. After graduating from high school, Keith attended City College of New York to study communications. During that time, he sang in a band called Jamilah.
After graduating from City College, he worked at the New York Stock Exchange as a brokerage assistant, but had aspirations of becoming a musician. After his tenure on Wall Street, Keith began recording demos, but to no avail at first.
In 1985, Keith released a single, “My Mind is Made Up” on Stadium Records. It’s unknown how or if the single was successful.
Once Keith started performing his own music, he attracted the attention of Vincent Davis (who owned his own record label Vintertainment and recently signed a distribution deal with Elektra Records). Soon after, he was signed to the label.
In 1987, Keith released his debut album, “Make it Last Forever” which peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 chart, topped Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and #41 on the U.K. Albums chart. As soon as his album hit number-one, Keith quit his Wall Street job.
The first single from the album “I Want Her” became a hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #38 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for three weeks.
The song also peaked at #26 on the U.K. Singles chart and was moderately successful in Canada & New Zealand.
The second single “Something Just Ain’t Right” peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100, #49 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #55 on the U.K. Singles chart and #3 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
The third single “Make it Last Forever” (featuring R&B singer Jacci McGhee) peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.
The last single from the album “Don’t Stop Your Love” peaked at #9 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
In 1990, Keith released his sophomore album, “I’ll Give All My Love To You” which peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 and once again topped Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. In the U.K., the album peaked at #47 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The lead single “Make You Sweat” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #5 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for a week in July of 1990, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.
The second single “Merry Go Round” peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
The title song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart for a week in Februay of 1991, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
The last single from the album “Your Love-Part Two” peaked at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.
In 1991, Keith released his third album “Keep it Comin” which peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard R&B albums chart.
The title song peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, #25 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart for 2 weeks, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
The second single “Why Me Baby” (featuring LL Cool J) peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, #40 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #4 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart and #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 23 weeks.
The last single “I Want to Love You Down” peaked at #117 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #20 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
Keith is also responsible for producing R&B group Silk who scored a number-one hit with their song, “Freak Me.”
He was featured on the “Made in America” movie soundtrack with the song “Does He Do It Good” featuring Silk. The song managed to peak at #68 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for a week.
In 1994, Keith released his fourth album, “Get Up On It” which peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B albums chart again. The album also peaked at #20 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The first single “How Do You Like It?” (featuring late TLC member, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes) peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, #27 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #9 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. The song also peaked at #71 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The second single “When I Give My Love” peaked at #85 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #21 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
The third and last single from the album, “Get Up On It” featuring R&B girl group, Kut Klose, peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, #33 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #12 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
In 1996, he started his own record label, Keia Records (named after his second daughter) and a recording studio called The Sweat Shop. He also opened up a nightclub called Industry in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the same year, Keith released his fifth self-titled album which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B albums chart yet again. The album also peaked at #36 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The first single, “Twisted” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #7 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart and topped Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart for 3 weeks, staying on the chart for 33 weeks. The song also peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Canadian Singles chart.
The second single “Nobody” (featuring Kut Klose member, Athena Cage) peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #12 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart, #11 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles chart and topped Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart for 3 weeks, staying on the chart for 31 weeks.
The song also peaked at #16 on Billboard’s Canadian Singles chart and #30 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The third single “Just a Touch” peaked at #23 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #38 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The song also peaked at #35 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The fourth and last single from the album “Come and Get With Me” featuring Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers, peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #27 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
In 1997, Keith discovered R&B group, Ol’ Skool and produced their debut album. He has also produced music for the Isley Brothers, Men at Large, Dru Hill, Immature and the O’Jays. During that same year, a remixed version of “I Want Her” peaked at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In the same year, Keith formed R&B group LSG with Gerald Levert and New Edition member Johnny Gill.
The group released their debut album, “Levert, Sweat, Gill” which featured their hit single, “My Body” that peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B charts. Their album was certified 2x Platinum and managed to peak at #4 on the Billboard 200.
In 1998, Keith released his sixth album “Still in the Game” which peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the R&B albums chart, making it Keith’s first album not to top the charts. The album also peaked at #62 on the U.K. Albums chart.
The first single, “Come and Get with Me” featuring rapper Snoop Dogg, peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, #16 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #6 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks and #58 on the U.K. Singles chart.
The second and last single from the album, “I’m Not Ready” peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks and #53 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 2000, Keith released his seventh album, “Didn’t See Me Coming” which peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single, “I’ll Trade (A Million Bucks)” featuring rapper Lil’ Mo peaked at #36 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.
The last single from the album, “Real Man” peaked at #73 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.
In 2002, Keith released his eighth album, “Rebirth” which peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The only single to chart, “One On One” featuring Lola Troy & Lade Bac, peaked at #44 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.
Keith released 2 live albums, “Keith Sweat Live” in 2003 and “Sweat Hotel Live” in 2007 which were moderately successful.
In 2007, Keith released his first Christmas album, “A Christmas Of Love” which peaked at #85 on Billboard’s R&B albums chart.
In 2008, Keith released his ninth album, “Just Me” which peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The first single, “Suga Suga Suga” peaked at #36 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart in February of 2008, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
The follow-up single, “Butterscotch” featuring Athena Cage, peaked at #92 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart in August of 2008, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.
In 2010, Keith released his tenth album, “Ridin’ Solo” which peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200, #4 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, and topped Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.
The first single from the album, “Test Drive” featuring R&B singer, Joe, peaked at #58 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles chart in May of 2010, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
In 2011, Keith released his eleventh album, “Til the Morning” which peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200, #8 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, and #6 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.
The first single, “Make You Say Ooh” peaked at #46 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart in November of 2011.
The second single, “Knew It All Along” featuring Johnny Gill & Gerald Levert, peaked at #87 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Since 2007, Keith has been the host of a nationally syndicated radio program based upon the Quiet Storm music format called “The Keith Sweat Hotel” which is syndicated through Premiere Radio Networks.
These days, he continues to tour throughout the United States and run his radio show. He was formerly married to Lisa Wu Hartnell and has four children: Keisha, Keia, Jordan, and Justin.
Keith has made the Billboard 200 Albums of the Year chart eight times: in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2001. His song made the Billboard Hot 100 Song of the Year chart six times: in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1997.
He was nominated for 3 American Music Awards; in 1988, he was nominated for “Favorite Album: Soul\R&B” for the “Make it Last Forever” album; in 1990, he was nominated for “Favorite Single: Soul\R&B” for “Merry Go Round” and for “Favorite Male Artist: Soul\R&B.”
In 1996, Keith was nominated for “Favorite Album: Soul\R&B” and won the award for “Favorite Male Artist: Soul\R&B.” A year later, he was nominated again for “Favorite Male Artist: Soul\R&B.”
Keith has also dabbled in acting; he had a brief role in the film, “New Jack City” as a wedding singer. He appeared on the FOX television drama, “New York Undercover” as himself. He also appeared on the television shows, “Wayans Bros.” and “Martin.”
To see Keith Sweat’s website, go to:
http://www.thesweathotel.com/main.html
To see a video of Keith performing “I Want Her” on “Showtime at the Apollo,” go to:
http://www.80svideos.tv/play.php?vid=856
To see the music video for “Something Just Ain’t Right,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmA31aQURJ4
To see a fan-made video for “Make it Last Forever,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKgCLVl-bGY
To see the music video for “Don’t Stop Your Love,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqx1YN2wEW0
To see the music video for “Make You Sweat,” go to:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/wm-A10302B0000062389R/keith_sweat_make_you_sweat_official_music_video/
To see the music video for “Merry Go Round,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmGkLR4rzQ
To see the music video for “I’ll Give All My Love to You,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC6YLqio-bI
To see the music video for “Keep it Comin,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR7MEwkIPD4
To see the music video for “Why Me Baby,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4F17ly1aeY
To see the music video for “I Want to Love You Down,” go to:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/wm-A10302B0000062394X/keith_sweat_i_want_to_love_you_down_official_music_video/
To see the music video for “How Do You Like It,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy0ZsAT2ESE
To see the music video for “When I Give My Love,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXYEhicGufo
To see the music video for “Get Up on It,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ebz8WNcVmI
To see the music video for “Twisted,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP4yAnbtDZE
To see the music video for “Nobody,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMar1ifzdmk
To see the music video for “Just a Touch,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyGD1n9kBis
To see the music video for “Come with Me,” go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x97n1_keith-sweat-come-and-get-with-me_music
To see the music video for “I’m Not Ready,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjB6xbiZvFA
To see the music video for “I’ll Trade (A Million Bucks),” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOAuu3mpyPM
To see the music video for “Real Man,” go to:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/wm-A10302B0000062398P/keith_sweat_real_man_official_music_video/
To see the music video for “One On One,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M_KLSuLUrg
To see the music video for “Test Drive,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PuKzLyq2KU
To see the music video for “Make You Say Ooh,” go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmONd_6VMAI
[updated on 05\07\12]
Vicky “D” is a dance\R&B music singer from the early ’80s. Not much information is given about this artist, but she was signed to the Sam Records label.
In 1981, she released the single, “This Beat Is Mine” which peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Disco Top 80 chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. The song also peaked at #64 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.
In 1982, Vicky “D” released her follow-up single, “Mystery Lover” which didn’t make the charts at all. Afterwards, it seems as if she faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from this artist since the ’80s.
Rochelle is a freestyle\dance music singer from the ’90s. Not much background information is given about this artist.
In 1994, she released her debut single, “Praying For An Angel” on SOS Records which peaked at #32 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. Her follow-up single, “Holding On To Love” failed to make any impact on the charts.
In 1996, Rochelle released her last single to date, “Nene” on the Zaza Records label. Afterwards, it seems as if she’s faded into obscurity; nothing much has been heard from her since the ’90s.
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Mai Tai is a Dutch dance music girl group from Amsterdam, Netherlands that originally consisted of three former backup singers Jetty Weels, Mildred Douglas and Carolien de Windt.
The trio was formed in 1983 by Dutch record producers Eric van Tijn and Jochem Fluitsma. In 1983, they released their debut single, “Keep On Dancin'” which didn’t make the charts, but it became a hit in Dutch nightclubs.
In the summer of 1984, they released their follow-up single, “What Goes On” which peaked at #24 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. Their third single, “Body and Soul” peaked at #9 on the U.K. Singles Chart and #23 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
Mai Tai’s fourth single, “Am I Losing You Forever” peaked at #24 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. It also peaked at #78 on the U.K. Singles chart.
In 1985, the trio released their self-titled debut album on the Injection Disco Dance Label record label. The album peaked at #16 on the Dutch Album Top 100 chart and #91 on the U.K. Albums chart; it also won a Dutch Edison Award and a Silver Harp Award.
During that same year, they released the single, “History” which became a hit, peaking at #9 on the Dutch Top 40 chart and #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
The next single from the album, “What, Where, When, Who” managed to peak at #69 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.
In 1986, Mai Tai released their sophomore album, “1 Touch 2 Much” which peaked at #18 on the Dutch Album Top 100 chart. The title song peaked at #45 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
The second single from the album, “Female Intuition” peaked at #12 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. Internationally, the song peaked at #54 on the U.K. Singles chart, #71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #49 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
The third single, “Turn Your Love Around” was moderately successful, peaking at #12 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
In 1987, they released their third studio album, “Cool is The Rule” which didn’t make any album charts at all.
The two singles released from the album: “Bet That’s What You Say” (peaked at #26) and “Fight Fire With Fire” (which peaked at #30) were moderately successful on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
In 1988, Mai Tai released the single, “Dance In the Light” which peaked at #88 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
During that same year, they released their greatest hits compliation album, “The Best of Mai Tai” and later disbanded. Jetty Weels and Mildred Douglas went on to pursue solo careers.
In 1993, Jetty and Caroline de Windt re-formed Mai Tai with new member Lisa Noya where they released the singles: “Never, Never!” (in 1993), “I Want U” (in 1993), “It’s Not Over” (in 1994) and “Are You For Real” (in 1995).
In 1995, a remixed version of “History” managed to peak at #93 on the UK Singles chart. A year later, they released the single, “Afrodisiac”.
Throughout the 2000s, the group occasionally reformed for various performances. Mildred appeared at selected dates; in 2004, she was replaced by singer Marjorie Lammerts. During that same year, they released the single, “Bring Back the Music”.
Mai Tai participated in the Dutch heat of the Eurovision Song Concert and made it to the semi-finals. In 2007, they released their third studio album, “Onder Voorbehoud” on the Haring Records label.
The two singles released from the album: “Bijna” (which peaked at #89) and “100% Voce” (which peaked at #24) missed the Dutch Top 40, and they disbanded for a third time. In 2010, Jetty Weels re-recorded and released a remix of the song, “Body and Soul”, and enlisted two new members: Maureen Pengel & Edna Proctor.
Between 1985 and 1986, they released three singles on the Joey Boy Records label: “It’s Not Too Late”, “Stand By” and “She Don’t Want You”; neither of the singles made the charts.
In 1988, Sequal signed a record deal with Capitol\EMI Records. During that same year, they released their debut and only self-titled album.
The lead single, “I’m Over You” peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. It also peaked at #21 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
The follow-up single, “Tell Him I Called” failed to make the charts at all. The third single from the album, “Tell The Truth” peaked at #9 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.
In 1989, the last single released from the album, “Brand New Love” failed to chart. In 1990, Sequel disbanded.
Maria went on to pursue a solo career. In 1993, she released her self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records. In the late ’90s, she formed a short-lived pop\dance music group called 3rd Party, who scored hits with “Can U Feel It” and “Love is Alive”.
In 2004, she released her sophomore album, “Beautiful Now” on the Sweet Woo record label. She also sang the song, “Someone To Someone” for the reality TV series, “Queer Eye For the Straight Guy”.
In 2008, Sequal reunited and released the single, “My Love For You”. Since then, it appears as if the duo disbanded again.
Cheyne (born in New York) is a teenage R&B\dance music singer from the mid-’80s. Not much background information is given about this artist.
In 1984, she released her debut single, “Rude Boy” on the Clockwork Records label which didn’t make the charts at all.
In 1985, Cheyne released her follow-up single, “Private Joy” on MCA Records. The song didn’t chart, but it was featured on the soundtrack to the film, “Weird Science”.
During that same year, she released the single, “Call Me Mr. Telephone (Answering Service)” which topped Billboard’s Hot Dance\Disco Club Play chart for a week in June of 1985 (staying on the chart for 11 weeks).
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