Editing Keith Sweat (section)

===1987–1989: ''Make It Last Forever'' and New Jack Swing===
Later in 1987, Keith Sweat was discovered by Vincent Davis and offered a recording contract with his label, Vintertainment Records, which was founded in 1983 on the foundations of early [[Hip hop music|Hip-Hop]] and otherwise best known for releasing Joeski Love's "Pee Wee's Dance" in 1985. Vintertainment was distributed by [[Elektra Records]] from 1985 until it ceased operations in 1990.

While crafting his debut album, Sweat pursued fellow Harlem resident [[Teddy Riley]], who, at this time, was better known for writing for and producing hip-hop artists.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title='We Gave R&B a New Lifeline': How Teddy Riley Invented New Jack Swing (Demo) |url=https://www.nmaam.org/latest-news/posts/we-gave-rb-a-new-lifeline-how-teddy-riley-invented-new-jack-swing |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=nmaam.org |language=en-us}}</ref> According to Riley, he already had the beats prepared for "[[I Want Her]]" and "Make It Last Forever," along with all of the background vocals for "I Want Her."<ref name=":0" /> Riley had no intention of producing R&B music, and he also encouraged Sweat to sing in what would become his trademark nasal sound to distinguish his voice from other artists.<ref name=":0" /> Riley noted that Sweat's songwriting style also was unique as he composed lyrics instantly while listening to the track, as he did for the single, "Make It Last Forever."<ref name=":0" />

On November 24, 1987, Sweat released ''[[Make It Last Forever (album)|Make It Last Forever]]'', which sold three million copies. He and Riley co-wrote six songs, and the biggest hit  inaugurated the new jack swing era, "[[I Want Her]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1988|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1988| access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref> (No. 1 R&B & No. 5 Pop), which was nominated for the [[1989 Soul Train Music Awards|1989 Soul Train]] Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year award, while [[Make It Last Forever (song)|the title track]] from the album hit No. 2 on the [[R&B charts]].