Still in the Game is the sixth studio album by American singer Keith Sweat. It was released by Elektra Records on September 22, 1998, in the United States. The title of the album refers to Sweat being in the music business for over a decade. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 14, 1998. The single "Come and Get with Me" peaked at number 12 in the US. Follow-up "I'm Not Ready", released that same year, peaked at number 16.

Critical reception

Allmusic editor Michael Gallucci wrote that on Still in the Game, "Sweat goes one-on-one with his audience, playing into their hearts and souls with his typically smooth-croon grandeur. It all sounds a bit familiar (as well as a bit programmed) – and the Jermaine Dupri, Erick Sermon and Too Short cameos add absolutely nothing to Sweat's sweet mix – but there's a cool sexuality in his grooves and moves." Paul Verna from Billboard felt that Still in the Game "makes it clear that he hasn't deviated from the singing style that made him a household name. However, this sets [...] should expose the vocalst to a younger and more streetwise audience and enhance his sales prospects."

Matt Diehl from Entertainment Weekly found that "despite his new album’s defensive title, Still in the Game, Keith Sweat shouldn't worry — his long-running career proves he's an R&B lover-man for the ages. Cameos from Snoop Dogg, Too Short, and Erick Sermon feel superfluous: Sweat’s seductive burr of a voice is all he needs — when he lolls around the line "come into my bedroom" like molasses on the tongue, it's pure Spanish fly soul. Keep a copy of this in the boudoir." Los Angeles Times critic Connie Johnson wrote that Still in the Game shows that "when Sweat really is at the top of his game, he cranks out club-friendly jams," but here "he isn’t fresh enough," noting that while Snoop Dogg adds "some bite to "Come and Get With Me"," overall it is "a competent effort but not one to make him the Michael Jordan of R&B."

Commercial performance Still in the Game debuted and peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the week of October 10, 1998, with first week sales of 96,000 copies. On October 14, 1998, it was certified Gold and Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments figure in excess of 1 million copies.

Track listing

Personnel

Keith Sweat – background vocals, producer, executive producer Darryl Adams – drums, keyboards, background vocals, producer Big Baby & Suga Mike – producer, keyboards, programming Jermaine Dupri – vocals Free – vocals Curtis Jefferson – backing vocals Allen "Grip" Smith – keyboards Bobby Crawford – sequencing, programming Eugene Peoples – additional Keyboards, acoustic guitar Jay Mack – keyboards, sequencing, programming Erick Sermon – vocals

Snoop Dogg – vocals Taj Mahal – engineer Too Short – vocals Nicarlo Williams – background vocals Val Young – background vocals Joe N Little III – writer, producer and background vocals Karl Heilbron – bass, recording engineer, mixing Steve Crooms, Ivan Walker – recording engineer Neal H. Pogue – mixing Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing Herb Powers – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Still in the Game Chart (1998) PeakpositionAustralian Albums (ARIA)64

Year-end charts + 1998 year-end chart performance for Still in the Game Chart (1998) PositionUS Billboard 200190US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)87 + 1999 year-end chart performance for Still in the Game Chart (1999) PositionUS Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)85

Certifications

References