Keith Martin is an American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer from Washington, D.C., born in 1966. He works in ballad, contemporary R&B, pop soul, quiet storm and singer-songwriter styles. He plays keyboards, bass guitar, drums and percussion, and he is known for writing and singing romantic love songs.

Early life and influences

Martin starts piano, bass guitar, drums and singing at the age of 10, and he begins writing music at 19. As he grows up, he listens to the Jackson 5, Prince, the production work of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Stevie Wonder. Jazz and gospel also shape his sound.

Groups and touring

During the late 1980s, Martin is associated with close friends Johnny Gill, Stacy Lattisaw, bassist Oteil Burbridge and Kenny Lattimore. He is a member of the group Masquerade, alongside twins Art and Scott Powell, Sharif Walters and D'Extra Wiley, who later joins the new jack R&B group II D Extreme. In 1991, Masquerade and Martin tour with MC Hammer.

Solo career

Boyz Mike McCary brings Martin to Sony after noticing his songwriting. His first album, It’s Long Overdue, arrives in 1995. The album includes “Because of You” and opens with “I’ll Never Find Someone Like You”, which gains enough attention to be included on the Bad Boys soundtrack.

After leaving Sony, Martin moves to California and meets producer and label owner Greg G of GMG Music. He records and releases Validated on GMG, which includes “Whateva U Need”, “Coming Home” and a remix of “Because of You”.

Later releases and collaborations

In 2009, Martin returns from the Philippines and works with POSH, an all-girl group signed to Viva Records. He produces “Missing You”, one of the singles from their album My Heart. In 2010, he releases This Road, which includes “You Are My Life”; the song is later issued as a single in 2012 and becomes a popular wedding theme. He releases The Vision in 2013 and the single “Return to Me” in 2018.