KEITH SWEAT
EQC I-5 SHOWROOM
8 P.m.
March 27
R&B artist Keith Sweat has been making his mark in the smooth and silky music niche for decades. With the release of his most recent album “Just Me” in 2008, Keith Sweat has continued to tour, and it does not seem as though the long-standing R&B artist is going anywhere anytime soon. Keith Sweat will bring his signature sultry sound to the Emerald Queen Casino once again March 27.
The original “new jack” hit-maker, who celebrated 20 years as a chart artist at the end of 2007, produced and co-wrote most of the material on his latest project that features guest artists Athena Cage, Keith Sweat’s duet partner on the million-selling 1996 hit “Nobody,” and Keyshia Cole.
The Harlem-born singer/songwriter and producer says he called his album “Just Me” because, “I’m giving the people what they expect from me. You hear other artists out there who make the mistake of trying to be trendy. They really try to keep up. I know people want to hear Keith Sweat. I’m conscious of the people who have followed me the whole time, since day one. I remember that I have a fan base and I’m very careful to give the people what they expect from me.”
The first single from the set is the sexy jam “Suga Suga Suga” featuring Paisley Bettis. Standout cuts include the hypnotic “Somebody,” which showcases Keith Sweat singing falsetto for the first time; the future classic “Love U Better,” a truly memorable duet between Keith Sweat and Keyshia Cole; and “Just Wanna Sex You.”
Sweat first broke through as a leader in the “new jack” of the late 1980s with the No. 1 single “I Want Her.” Since 1988 the multi-faceted artist has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, racking up six No. 1 R&B hit singles with close to 30 chart entries, three multi-platinum, three platinum and two gold albums including Rhino’s 2004 “The Best of Keith Sweat: Make You Sweat.” In addition to his solo work, Keith Sweat also scored major hits with Johnny Gill and the late Gerald Levert as part of the popular L.S.G. trio in the 1990s.
He is currently the host of “The Keith Sweat Hotel,” a live call-in radio program heard in more than 20 major markets nationwide, a number that continues to grow under the auspices of Premiere Radio Networks. The show plays R&B and slow jams in a format similar to the Quiet Storm. Keith Sweat, who tours almost every weekend, regards his longevity as a recording artist as “a blessing that I don’t take for granted. It’s surprising to me that my career has had such a long lifespan. When you first start out, you hope people will hear the music and you don’t expect to still be around 20 years later. It feels good.”
Keith Sweat will perform live at 8 p.m. March 27 in the Emerald Queen Casino’s 1-5 Showroom. Tickets range from $30-$55. Call (888) 831-7655 for more info.
