Keyshia Cole

Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole (née Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American R&B singer. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer before ultimately signing with A&M Records, under whom she released her debut studio album, The Way It Is, in 2005. The record was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned two nominations at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards. Riding on the album's success, Cole would begin filming a reality television series for BET documenting her career, family and personal life called Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is; the show ran for three seasons, and became one of the most-watched programs in the network's history.
In 2007, Cole released her second studio album, Just Like You, which spawned three number-one R&B singles — "Let It Go" (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim), "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent" — and earned her four Grammy nominations. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Her third album, A Different Me (2008), was met with generally positive reviews and became the second of her career to debut atop of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as well as number two on the Billboard 200. Another commercial success, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Cole's fourth album, Calling All Hearts (2010), included the singles "I Ain't Thru" (featuring Nicki Minaj) and "Take Me Away". Her fifth studio album, Woman to Woman (2012), peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200. It spawned the single "Enough of No Love" (featuring Lil Wayne), which peaked within the top-ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. That same year, she starred in the reality series Keyshia & Daniel: Family First. Further label changes saw the release of Point of No Return (2014) under Interscope and 11:11 Reset (2017) under Epic.
Dubbed by critics as the "Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", Cole is best known for her soulful voice. Her work has earned her several awards and accolades, including an ASCAP Award and a Billboard Music Award. From 2019 to 2020, she hosted the Fox Soul syndicated television talk show One on One with Keyshia Cole.
Early life
Keyshia Myeshia Johnson was born in Oakland, California on October 15, 1981. She is the daughter of Francine "Frankie" Lons (1960-2021) and boxing trainer Virgil Hunter. Cole is of African-American and Mexican heritage. Her biological mother was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. She was adopted at the age of two by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole, changing her last name to Cole. Cole has four siblings, including two brothers Sean and Sam, a younger sister Elite Noel and an older sister Neffeteria Pugh. At the age of 12, Cole met and recorded with MC Hammer, after being introduced to him by her brother Sean (also known as Nutt-So).
She later formed a friendship with Tupac Shakur, who promised to help her start her singing career after asking her to write a hook on his then-upcoming project on the night he got shot in a drive-by shooting unexpectedly, which caused his death six days later. At the age of 16, she became a participant at the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), a local youth organization. Cole attended Fremont High School in Oakland, before later attending and graduating from Tracy High School in Tracy, California. Cole moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue a music career. During this time, Cole collaborated with artists from her native Bay Area, among them D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone and Messy Marv. In 2002, she was introduced to A&M Records A&R Ron Fair, whom signed her to the label and began mentoring her after listening to an unfinished version of one of her songs.
Career
2004–2006: The Way It Is
In March 2004, Cole's debut single, "Never", a collaboration with American rapper Eve, was released as the second single from the soundtrack to Kevin Rodney Sullivan's comedy film Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004). In anticipation of her then-upcoming album, Cole and DJ Green Lantern released a mixtape, Team Invasion Presents Keyshia Cole, in February 2005 which features remixes of hip hop instrumentals and snippets. Cole released her debut album, The Way It Is, on June 21, 2005 through A&M Records; it debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and sold 89,000 copies in its first week. The album features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Chink Santana, Metro City and Eve; and was produced by Cole, Ron Fair, Sean Garrett, Kerry Brothers Jr., John Legend, Chink Santana and Kanye West, among others. It spawned the singles "I Changed My Mind", "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", "I Should Have Cheated" and "Love". All appeared on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, with "I Should Have Cheated", and "Love" reaching the top-ten. Upon its release, The Way It Is received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Cole's vocals and musical themes. It received a platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned her several accolades, including a NAACP Image Award nomination and two Soul Train Music Award nominations at both ceremonies in 2006, respectively. To further promote the album, Cole served as a supporting act on Kanye West's Touch the Sky Tour, which took place from October to December 2005.
In June 2006, Cole was featured on "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" by Sean Paul from the soundtrack of the romantic dance film Step Up (2006). It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top 20 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Switzerland and Finland. On July 9, 2006, it was reported that Cole had signed with BET for a reality series, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Chronicling her personal life, family dynamics and professional career, the series premiered three days following its announcement.
2007–2009: Just like You and A Different Me
After A&M Records folded through a merger with Octone Records in early 2007, Cole was drafted by the Universal Music Group and Interscope Records boss Jimmy Iovine to its subsidiary label Geffen Records. In March 2007, Cole was featured on Diddy's single "Last Night", taken from his fourth album Press Play (2006). The song became an international success, reaching the top ten in Finland, Ireland and the United States. On September 25, 2007, Cole released her second album Just like You, to generally favorable reviews from music critics. For the album, she worked with various producers, including Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, Bryan-Michael Cox, Cainon Lamb and The Runners, among others. A commercial success, the album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, selling 281,000 copies in its first week and was certified platinum in the United States for sales of one million copies. The lead single, "Let It Go" (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim), marked Cole's first top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist moreover her first number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs; eventually receiving a platinum certification in the United States. The follow-up "Shoulda Let You Go" (featuring Amina Harris), reached the top-ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number six. The third and fourth singles, "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent", both reached number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending seven and nine consecutive weeks at the summit, respectively. Cole received a variety of accolades for the album, including four Grammy Award nominations and three BET Award nominations.
Aside from her music success, Cole made her acting debut with a cameo role in the Ian Iqbal Rashid-directed film How She Move, released in January 2008 and grossed $8.6 million worldwide. Throughout early to mid-2008, Cole made several guest appearances on songs including "I Got a Thang for You" (with rapper Trina), "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" (with hip hop quartet C-Side), and "Game's Pain" (with rapper The Game), respectively. Additionally, Cole was scheduled to make a cameo on Missy Elliott's album, Block Party, which was originally intended to be released that year. In August 2008, Cole and a host of other female singers recorded the charity single "Just Stand Up!", the theme song to the anti-cancer campaign Stand Up to Cancer. The third season of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is premiered via BET on November 11, 2008 and marked the highest-rated season premiere for the network, with a total of 1.94 million viewers.
Cole's third album A Different Me was released on December 16, 2008. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 322,000 copies sold in its first-week of sales, and received a platinum certification by the RIAA for selling over a million copies. The singles, "Playa Cardz Right" (featuring Tupac Shakur), "You Complete Me" and "Trust" (with Monica), all reached the lower-half of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top-ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. To promote the album, she served as a supporting act for Lil Wayne's I Am Music Tour, which ran from December 14, 2008 to April 10, 2009. Shortly after the tour ended, Cole embarked on her first headlining tour, A Different Me Tour, which began on May 13 and concluded on June 21, 2009. Throughout this time, Cole was featured as the cover artist on several magazines such as the March 2009 issue of Vibe, WordUp!, the Summer 2009 final double-cover issue of King, and the June issue of Sister 2 Sister with her mother Yvonne Cole.
2010–2013: Calling All Hearts and Woman to Woman
On June 27, 2010, three months after the birth of her son, Cole returned to the music industry, filling in for Hayley Williams to sing the chorus to B.o.B's "Airplanes (Part II)" featuring Eminem during the 2010 BET Awards. Over a year after Cole announced the beginning production of her fourth studio album, she released her first single, "I Ain't Thru", featuring Young Money Entertainment rap star, Nicki Minaj, on October 15, 2010, her birthday. Although not a big hit on the charts and later revealed as a regret as a single choice by Cole, fans loved the single and viewed it as a great comeback along with credits.
Her fourth studio album, Calling All Hearts was released on December 21, 2010, featuring collaborations from Timbaland, Nicki Minaj, Tank, and Faith Evans. It also featured Cole's mother Dr. Yvonne Cole on a gospel track inspired by Faith as well. With opening sales of 128,000 copies, she released Imani Entertainment as her management shortly after. The album has gone on to sell over 500,000 copies since its release, although it hasn't been riaa certified gold yet. She performed the promotional single, "Long Way Down" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Wendy Williams Show, and 106 & Park, in which a 30-minute concert by her was performed. In February 2011, Cole released "Take Me Away", her last single from "Calling All Hearts", to urban radio as a fan choice, before its official release that April. On January 19, 2011, Cole performed the single on Conan. The single's video, directed by Taj Stansberry, premiered on VEVO on April 18, 2011, and was also released on 106 & Park later that day. The song has since peaked on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 27.
On January 17, 2011, Cole tweeted "Would like for u guys to know that Manny Halley is no longer my management", followed by "Someone said if the people around u won't change, change the people around you." This happened shortly after a decline in the opening week sales of Cole's album Calling All Hearts. She later disclosed that recent business disagreements had also played a part in Halley's departure.
Shortly after the release of her fourth album (Calling All Hearts), Cole started development on her fifth studio album. Beginning production on the project, she worked first with writers Ester Dean and Betty Wright, then with producers Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, Bangladesh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Toxic, Mave, and Earl Powell. Her fifth album, Woman to Woman, arrived on November 19, 2012,
becoming her first project to be released without A&R executive Ron Fair and manager Manny Halley, who was with her at the beginning of her career. It debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 selling 96,000 copies in its first week in the United States, becoming Cole's fifth consecutive top 10 album. In its second week, the album rose to number three, where it sold 37,100 copies. In its third week, the album fell two spots to number five, selling 28,600 copies. The album has sold over 246,300 copies as of January 2013.
The lead single from Woman to Woman , "Enough of No Love", featuring Lil Wayne was sent to radio and released for digital download on July 3, 2012. The song was written by Redd Stylez and Cole, and was produced by Harmony with a mid-tempo R&B production. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart. On August 9, the song debuted at number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it ultimately peaked at number 84.
The second single, "Trust and Believe" was released for digital download on October 22, 2012 and again on November 13, 2012. On October 24, it was ranked the number one added song to Urban radio of the week.
"I Choose You" was released as the third single during August 2013. Cole also embarked on her third headlining concert tour, in support of her fifth studio album, Woman to Woman, visiting North America and Europe. The tour held 27 total dates. Singer Chrisette Michele was the supporting act for the North American leg.
In September 2013, after Geffen folded, Cole's Geffen deal was, once again, drafted, this time to its parent label, Interscope Records. She later returned to the studio and began recording her sixth studio album. On October 2, 2013, it was confirmed that Cole and her former manager Manny Halley had resolved their differences and Halley was currently managing Cole again.
2014–2017: Point of No Return and 11:11 Reset
In March 2014, Cole revealed the title of her sixth studio album to be Point of No Return. The lead single from the album, "Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)" was released as a digital download, on March 31, 2014, and officially impacted US Rhythmic radio on April 1. The song "Rick James", featuring rapper Juicy J, was released alongside "Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)" as a digital download in March 2014, while "She" followed as the third single from the album on July 8, 2014. Point of No Return was released on October 7, 2014, with open sales of 25,000 copies and has sold over 100,000 copies.
In February 2015, Cole revealed to Rap-Up TV that following the release of Point of No Return, which sold poorly, she was contractually free from Interscope and was intending on moving forward as an independent recording artist. Cole also confirmed work on her seventh studio album, revealing that she was halfway done with ten tracks so far. She stated: "I don't know which direction I wanna go in. I don't know if I want it to be more fun, I don't know if I want it to be more heartfelt or if I want it upbeat, medium to slow. I'm just recording and recording and recording and recording and recording and recording and recording."
In December 2016, it was announced that Cole signed a new record deal with Sony's Epic Records.
On January 27, 2017, Cole released the lead single "You" (featuring Remy Ma and French Montana) from her seventh studio album. In an interview with Rap-Up magazine, she announced the name of the album, 11:11 Reset, stating "For the past year, I've been seeing 1111 constantly and to my understanding, you're aligned spiritually with your destiny and everything that is meant to be in your life is happening at the right time. The timing is right. Everything is right. Reset is definitely cohesive with that." On August 25, 2017, she released the second single "Incapable". The album was released on October 20, 2017. It sold 15,000 copies within the first week, which marked the singer's lowest first week ever. Since then, the album has sold around 100,000 copies.
2018–present: Upcoming eighth studio album and Keyshia Cole: This is My Story
In 2019, Cole was featured on "All Me" by Kehlani. That same year she started hosting her own talk show, One on One with Keyshia Cole, airing on Fox Soul. In June 2020, it was reported that Keyshia Cole had signed a management deal with talent management company Primary Wave which was shortly after the reveal that she had reunited with longtime friend and record producer who she worked with for her first four albums, Ron Fair. On July 22, speculations came out about a possible Verzuz battle between Cole and Ashanti after Cole publicly challenged her during the live streamed match between rappers DMX and Snoop Dogg. On December 2, Cole announced via her Instagram Live that she would soon be competing in a match while singing a few of her previous records. Two days later, it was confirmed that the latest Verzuz battle would be between Cole and Ashanti. The in-person competition was expected to take place on December 12, 2020, though it was postponed after Ashanti tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the event. Following the Verzuz battle, Cole released the non-album single "I Don't Wanna Be in Love", under her independent record label, Hearts and Stars, created with the support of BMG.
On June 23, 2023, Cole released her first single since "I Don't Wanna Be in Love", titled "Forever is a Thing", in support of her Lifetime-original biographical television film Keyshia Cole: This is My Story, which premiered on June 24. The song and film were inspired by the death of Cole's mother, along with other major events in her life and career.
Other ventures
Reality television
In July 2006, Cole premiered her six episode docu-series, titled Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, on BET. With record breaking views, the show viewed Cole's life as an artist, daughter, and sister, performing, visiting her home town, and starting production on her next album.
In mid-July 2011, Cole tweeted that she, her then-husband Daniel, and James DeBose would be launching a new reality TV show, titled Keyshia & Daniel: Family First. Shooting of the show began during the summer of 2011. During the eight episode docu-series, Cole would craft her follow-up to Calling All Hearts. "I just kind of lay out all my emotions then we start from there" says Cole. "I usually work with big name producers and stuff like once all from my heart and soul is out that I need to get out." Aside from a look into the making of her new album, titled Woman to Woman, Cole and her husband, Daniel, re-wed during taping. The first episode of the show aired on BET on October 9, 2012, with 2.9 million viewers. In November 2014, BET confirmed that Cole was back with her third reality TV show Keyshia Cole: All In; which was originally slated to premiere during Fall 2014, but aired on February 24, 2015. In 2019, BET announced that Cole would return with a fourth reality show Keyshia Cole: My New Life, which premiered in November 2019.
Shoe line with Steve Madden
In September 2013, Cole announced that she was teaming up with fashion designer Steve Madden to create her own shoe collection, specifically high heels, wedges, and boots. "I am super excited to collaborate with Steve Madden," stated Cole. "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I love his style and I think we came up with an amazing vibrant collection. We have something for every fashion diva!"
Personal life
In May 2009, Cole began dating former NBA player Daniel Gibson. The couple became engaged on January 1, 2010. They welcomed their first child, a son, on March 2, 2010. Following their wedding on May 21, 2011, the pair renewed their vows in Hawaii in September 2011. "My husband wanted me to have my dream wedding so he flew all of our family members here. He's giving me something I will never forget! Amazing," Cole said. The entire wedding weekend was filmed and aired on their BET reality TV series Keyshia and Daniel: Family First, in October 2012. On
March 21, 2014, Cole announced during an interview that she and Gibson had broken up, but had not yet filed for divorce. In May 2016, she met her biological father, Virgil Hunter, after a paternity test confirmed their connection. In April 2017, Cole announced that she and Gibson were divorcing. On September 3, 2020, Cole announced on Instagram that she and Gibson were officially divorced.
On May 3, 2019, Cole announced that she was expecting her second child, a son, with her then boyfriend, Niko Khale. She welcomed her second son on August 1, 2019. In October 2020, Cole and Khale ended their relationship. Cole's mother, Frankie Lons died on July 18, 2021. Her cause of death was revealed to have been a drug overdose.
Artistry
Cole possesses the vocal range of a soprano. Her voice has been described as having a "flexible range of R&B, the muscular punch of soul and the hard character of hip hop" and contains a "smoky flavor, and a husky texture." Cole's musical themes and lyrics touch upon the topics of empowerment, reflection, heartache and love. Her fifth studio album "Woman to Woman" (2012) was described by
Ben Ratliff of The New York Times as a R&B almanac of shaky romance, with nearly every song a first-person narrative with gnarled details, endlessly recombining data about suspicion, jealousy, pride, punishment, self-respect, the led-up, the aftermath." The album's lyrics revolved around "emotionally painful romantic issues." Betty Wright listed Cole as one of the artists who she believed were "still holding the torch" for R&B music. Cole grew up listening to her mentor Tupac Shakur. She cites Mary J. Blige as one of her greatest musical inspirations, along with Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, Monica, Chanté Moore and Brandy.
Controversies
A feud between Cole and Lil' Mo began in August 2005 via the radio series Star and Buc Wild Morning Show. Mo was reported to have dismissed the vocal talent of a new crop of R&B performers, saying that they relied on dancing. Cole took offense and went to Dream Hotel in New York City, where she encountered Lil' Mo's manager Phil Thornton and a stylist, allegedly stating "You all are traitors. [Lil' Mo] is the enemy.". Lil' Mo shrugged off the incident, saying she was told that Cole was intoxicated at the time, which Cole denied.
On March 16, 2012, Cole came at Gucci Mane for the controversial song "Truth", on which Gucci rapped, "I did a song with Keyshia Cole and I know you still miss her. But Puff was f---ing her while you was falling in love with her." implying that, during the time of her rumored relationship with Young Jeezy, Cole was cheating on Jeezy with rap mogul and her "Last Night" collaborator Diddy. Cole stated on the radio, "Putting all ya trust in some of these 'Hood Rappers'... How you gonna be a G, and you spreading lies, to sell mix tapes! Where ya talent at. Dude ain't have to lie though! Could've kept me out of it."
In March 2013, Cole was criticized by urban media outlets for her Twitter critique of Beyoncé's "Bow Down/I Been On". This led to Lil' Mo and Cole exchanging hostile tweets over the next few days. Despite the exchanges, in May 2013, Mo said there was no beef between her and Cole, which led to the two exchanging hostile messages again via Instagram and Twitter.
Discography
The Way It Is (2005)
Just Like You (2007)
A Different Me (2008)
Calling All Hearts (2010)
Woman to Woman (2012)
Point of No Return (2014)
11:11 Reset (2017)
TBA (2023)
Tours
Headlining
A Different Me Tour (2009)
Woman to Woman Tour (2013)
Point of No Return Tour (2014)
Supporting
Sweatsuit Tour (supporting Nelly) (2005)
Touch the Sky Tour (supporting Kanye West) (2005)
Double Up Tour (supporting R. Kelly) (2007)
I Am Music Tour (supporting Lil Wayne) (2008)
Love Letter Tour (supporting R. Kelly) (2011)
Filmography
References
External links
Official website (archived)
1981 births
Living people
American film actresses
21st-century American actresses
African-American women singer-songwriters
African-American record producers
Record producers from California
American adoptees
American sopranos
Participants in American reality television series
Musicians from Oakland, California
American hip hop singers
African-American actresses
American women pop singers
Singer-songwriters from California
American contemporary R&B singers
21st-century African-American women singers
American women record producers
American women hip hop musicians
American musicians of Mexican descent
Hispanic and Latino American musicians
Fremont High School (Oakland, California) alumni
Tracy High School alumni