When Keith Sweat’s driver pulled up to rolling out’s midtown Atlanta headquarters about an hour early for his interview, we were wrapping out swimsuit issue cover subject. He stepped out of the dark colored SUV wearing sunglasses and looking so dapper and handsome, not a day older than the R&B star we grew to love when he forayed on the scene – 30 years ago. He was sporting a nicely tailored light plum colored suit with a dress shirt to complement and a pair of Gucci loafers.
His life informs his art because he was in fact impressive. Despite the fact he was an hour early, one thing you don’t do is make a legend like Sweat wait for you. So the team jumped right into position and started our interview.
A native New Yorker, Sweat grew up in the projects and recently shared with Steve Harvey, his upbringing helped to make him the award-winning singer and songwriter he is today. To date, Sweat’s sold 25 million albums. Six of his 11 albums have gone platinum.
The phenom who first sat on the R&B throne in the 90s still has a knack for writing love songs that is unmatched. His all-time greatest hits including “Make it Last Forever” and “Don’t Stop Your Love” – those songs that have topped many baby-making music lists.
“Dress to Impress is my twelfth album. It’s the same R&B. I am still basically doing what I have done over the years. There are 16 songs on the album. It’s sensuous music. No different than back in the day,” he says confidently. “I enjoy doing music. On this album, I have the same energy. I have constantly written, and once I decide to put the music out, I put out the best that I have written. I have picked the best 16 of the 40 to 50 that I have written.”
His new single, “Good Love,” is a chart topper.
When Sweat traveled to Germany, Paris and London last year, he shared how enthusiastic fans are over his music and R&B music as a whole. “They don’t have the chance to see us, or me, as often as fans in the States. Here, I hit a city once, two or three times a year. But I am only overseas once that year, and two to three years later. I enjoy touring overseas because the energy level is so intense.”
‘Dress to Impress’ is available on Friday, July 22, 2016. Sweat hosts the popular nationally syndicated radio show “The Sweat Hotel.”
