Keith Sweat’s Debut ‘Make It Last Forever’ to Be Released on Black Ice Vinyl

Keith Sweat‘s debut album “Make It Last Forever,” made him almost immediately, one of the pioneers of New Jack Swing and contemporary R&B.

The self-titled album released November of 1987, features the smash singles “I Want Her” and the title track, which helped catapult the record to triple platinum.

On February 23rd, Elektra is releasing the album on vinyl for the first time, since its original pressings. The new vinyl will be pressed on 140g (Black Ice Vinyl).

Last month, Keith Sweat announced the “Make it Last Forever 35th Anniversary” Tour. The 10-date tour kicks off in the home of UB, Minneapolis on February 1st at the Target Center.

Keith Sweat‘s debut “Make It Last Forever” was released in late 1987. Four singles hit Top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip Hop singles chart “Make It Last Forever,” “Something Just Ain’t Right,” “Don’t Stop Your Love” & the #1 “I Want Her.”

Keith Sweat is known for his distinctive “whining” vocal style, co-produced 1984/1985 singles by GQ and Roberta Gilliam and issued independent singles of his own (“Lucky Seven” and “My Mind Is Made Up”), but he didn’t release his debut full-length album until November 1987. He released “Make It Last Forever,” to instant acclaim and RIAA three-times platinum certification. Highlighted by the #1 R&B/Hip-Hop hit, “I Want Her,” the album reached #1 on Billboard’s “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart.

The album included the hits “I Want Her” (number one R&B, number five pop), “Something Just Ain’t Right” (number three R&B), “Make It Last Forever” (number two R&B), and “Don’t Stop Your Love” (number nine R&B).

We talked to Keith about the 30th Anniversary of “Make It Last Forever” and asked him his goals when he recorded that album:

“To make it do what it’s doing right now, Make it last forever. Those were my goals, I was just speaking it into existence. They always say speak what you want into existence. So when I said make it last forever, I kind of hit the head right on the nail. Pretty much because I’ve been doing it every since then.”

As for if he was surprised by the success of I Want Her, “I wanted it to be another single as the lead. I thought it should have been Don’t Stop Your Love. Now that I look back, hey every song on that album was hits,” Keith added “I’m happy it had the success because it opened the door for every other song that was on that album.”

UrbanBridgez.com: “Make It Last Forever” turns 30 this year, when you went into record that album what were your goals as a new artist?
Keith Sweat: To make it do what it’s doing right now, Make it last forever (laughs). Those were my goals, I was just speaking it into existence. They always say speak what you want into existence. So when I said make it last forever, I kind of hit the head right on the nail. Pretty much because I’ve been doing it every since then.

UrbanBridgez.com: Were you surprised by the immediate success of “I Want Her?”
Keith Sweat: Most definitely, because honestly I wanted it to be another single as the lead. I thought it should have been Don’t Stop Your Love. Now that I look back, hey every song on that album was hits. I’m happy it had the success because it opened the door for every other song that was on that album.

UrbanBridgez.com: From your catalog, what are your top 5 favorite songs you’ve recorded?
Keith Sweat: “Make It Last Forever,” “How Deep is Your Love,” “I’ll Give All My Love To You,” “Nobody,” what else and “Don’t Stop Your Love!”

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s one of your best memories from being back on the road on one of the many big tours you were apart of back in the day?
Keith Sweat: Best memories, girls throwing their bras at me on stage (all laugh)! Hey that’s what happens, they throw their bras at me and I be like, yo this isn’t your real size (laughs).

Keith Sweat’s ‘Make it Last Forever 35th Anniversary’ Tour | SWV + En Vogue