Keyshia Cole | |
|---|---|
 Cole performing in 2024 | |
| Born | Keyshia Myeshia Johnson (1981-10-15)October 15, 1981 (age 44) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Education | Tracy High School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Virgil Hunter |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Website | keyshiacoleofficial |
Musical artist | |
Keyshia Myeshia Cole (néeJohnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actress. Dubbed bycritics as the "Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", she is known for her powerful vocal delivery and confessional songwriting. Born and raised inOakland, California, Cole began her career singing background vocals forMC Hammer before signing withA&M Records to release her debut studio album,The Way It Is (2005). Supported by theBillboard Hot 100 top-20 single "Love", the album receivedplatinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned two nominations at the2006 Soul Train Music Awards. Its success led Cole to film areality television series forBET, in which she documented her career, family and personal life: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.
Cole's second album,Just like You (2007), debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 and was certified platinum, yielding three number-one singles on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart: "Let It Go" (featuringMissy Elliott andLil' Kim), "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent". Her third studio album,A Different Me (2008), also entered at number two and was certified platinum, while her fourth release,Calling All Hearts (2010), reached number nine and featured the singles "I Ain't Thru" (featuringNicki Minaj) and "Take Me Away".
In 2012, Cole's fifth album,Woman to Woman, peaked at number ten on the USBillboard 200 and included the top-10 R&B single "Enough of No Love" (featuringLil Wayne), and she starred alongside then-husband Daniel Gibson in her second BET reality series,Keyshia & Daniel: Family First. Following a label shift toInterscope Records, she released her sixthPoint of No Return (2014), which debuted at number nine in the US, and headlined her third BET reality series,Keyshia Cole: All In, the following year. In 2017, after joining the main cast for thefourth season ofVH1'sLove & Hip Hop: Hollywood, she issued her seventh album, 11:11 Reset, viaEpic Records; the album spawned the singles "You" (featuringRemy Ma andFrench Montana) and "Incapable".
From 2019 to 2020, Cole theFox Soul-syndicated talk showOne on One with Keyshia Cole. and in 2020 launched her own imprint, Hearts and Stars, in partnership withBMG. Cole executive-produced and starred in her ownLifetime-original biographical documentary in 2023, and maintained a rigorousconcert touring schedule across North America and Europe throughout 2024 and 2025. Over her career, Cole has earned multiple award nominations—including fourGrammy nominations—and achieved multi-platinum album sales, establishing her as a prominent figure in thecontemporary R&B genre.
Keyshia Myeshia Johnson was born inOakland, California on October 15, 1981.[3] She is the biological daughter of Francine "Frankie" Lons (1960–2021), who struggled withalcohol andcrack cocaine addiction, and boxing trainerVirgil Hunter, who was notably absent from her upbringing.[4][5][6] The instability resulting from her mother's addiction, combined with the absence of her biological father, forced an early intervention in Cole's life; as a result, she was adopted at the age of two by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole, subsequently changing her last name to Cole.[7][8] Cole has biological and adopted siblings; including her brothers Sean and Sam, her younger sister Elite Noel, and her older sister Neffeteria "Neffe" Pugh.[9]
At an early age, Cole discovered a passion for music.[10] When she was 12 years old, her brother Sean (also known as Nutt-So), himself involved in local music, introduced her to MC Hammer, with whom she had the opportunity to record background vocals for.[11] During this formative period, she also formed a friendship with rapperTupac Shakur, who promised to support her burgeoning music career. Tragically, Shakur was fatally shot in adrive-by shooting the same night he asked Cole to write a hook for his upcoming project at the time.[12][13]
As a child, Cole played tag football, tetherball, and served as a junior lifeguard at Oakland's Fremont Pool.[14] She spent her free time watching music-driven films—favorites includedThe Last Dragon,An American Tail: Fievel Goes West,Coming to America,Little Shop of Horrors, and theLooney Tunes cartoons—and was an avid reader.[14] At the age of 16, she became a participant at theEast Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people through educational and recreational programs.[15] Cole initially attendedFremont High School in Oakland before transferring to and graduating fromTracy High School inTracy, California, in the class of 2000.[16][17] Reflecting on her formative years, Cole stated, "My childhood was not easy. I went through a lot of trials and tribulations [...] no matter what their situation is, no matter where [you] come from, no matter where [you] are, no matter who [you] are - with faith, you can always accomplish your goals. I did it and survived, and so can [you]."[18]
At the age of 17, Cole departed from her foster home in Oakland to live with her then-boyfriend after her adoptive mother rejected her artistic ambitions.[19][20] After discovering his infidelity, Cole soon moved from Oakland to Los Angeles to pursue a professional music career.[20] Within weeks of arriving, she secured a day job and moved into one of three apartments owned by her uncle.[19] Cole began working withBay Area artists; appearing on the remix ofMessy Marv's "Nubian Queen", featured on his third albumStill Explosive (2001), and contributing backing vocals to theD'Wayne Wiggins–produced soundtrack for the independent filmMe & Mrs. Jones (2002).[3] Cole was initially poised to join a short-lived girl group called Grip while working with producerDamon Elliott.[21][22] However, Elliott offered her a solo production contract instead, recognizing her talent. Reflecting on the opportunity, Cole stated, "I'd rather be solo because I do everything in the group anyway. They're just pretty. We were gonna get, like, a $30,000 advance and split it ten/ten/ten; but I figured, 'Why should I give them my $20,000 when I can get it myself?'".[22] Cole ultimately declined the group deal and went on to record songs with Elliott.[22] In 2002, Cole was introduced toA&M Records' A&R executiveRon Fair, whom signed her to the label signed her after hearing an unfinished demo, immediately mentoring her on artist development and studio production techniques.[23]
Cole's first official release was the single "Never", featuringEve, which appeared on thesoundtrack of theKevin Rodney Sullivan-directed comedy filmBarbershop 2: Back in Business (2004); it combinedhip hop beats with her vocals and was released tourban radio formats in March 2004.[11][24] In anticipation of her debut album, Cole andDJ Green Lantern issued the mixtape,Team Invasion Presents Keyshia Cole in February 2005, featuring remixes of popular hip hop instrumentals alongside originalsong snippets.[25][26]
Cole released her debut album,The Way It Is, on June 21, 2005, throughA&M Records; it debuted at number six on theBillboard 200 and sold 89,000 copies in its first week.[27][28] The album features guest appearances fromJadakiss,Chink Santana, Metro City and Eve; and was produced by Cole,Ron Fair,Sean Garrett,Kerry Brothers Jr.,John Legend, Chink Santana andKanye West, among others.[29] It spawned the singles "I Changed My Mind", "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", "I Should Have Cheated" and "Love". All appeared within the top-40 of theBillboard'sHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, with "I Should Have Cheated", and "Love" reaching the top-ten.[30] Upon its release,The Way It Is received generally positive reviews frommusic critics, who praised Cole's vocals and musical themes.[31] It received aplatinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned her several accolades, including anNAACP Image Award nomination and twoSoul Train Music Award nominations at both ceremonies in 2006, respectively.[32][33][34] To further promote the album, Cole served as a supporting act onKanye West'sTouch the Sky Tour, which took place from October to December 2005.[35]
In June 2006, Cole was featured on "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" bySean Paul from thesoundtrack of theromanticdance filmStep Up (2006).[36][37] It reached number three on theBillboard Hot 100 and became a top-20 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Switzerland and Finland.[30][36] On July 9, 2006, it was reported that Cole had signed withBET for areality series,Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is.[38] Chronicling her personal life, family dynamics and professional career, the series premiered three days following its announcement.[38][39] The first season of the series, which consisted of six episodes, concluded on August 16, 2006.[40]
AfterA&M Records folded through a merger withOctone Records in early 2007, Cole was drafted by theUniversal Music Group andInterscope Records bossJimmy Iovine to its subsidiary labelGeffen Records.[41][3] In March 2007, Cole was featured onDiddy's single "Last Night", taken from his fourth albumPress Play (2006).[42] A worldwide success, it reached the top-ten in over five countries, including the United States, where it spent 22 consecutive weeks charting on theBillboard Hot 100.[30][43] At the2007 BET Awards, "Last Night" received a nomination forBest Collaboration and was performed by the duo alongsideLil' Kim during the award ceremony.[44]
On September 25, 2007, Cole released her second albumJust like You, to generally favorable reviews from music critics.[45][46] For the album, she worked with variousproducers, includingScott Storch,Rodney Jerkins,Bryan-Michael Cox,Cainon Lamb andThe Runners, among others.[47] A commercial success, the album debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 and number one on the USTop 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.[48][49][50] Thelead single, "Let It Go" (featuringMissy Elliott and Lil' Kim), marked Cole's first top-ten hit on the USBillboard Hot 100 as a lead artist moreover her first number-one hit onBillboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs; eventually receiving a platinum certification in the United States.[30][32] The follow-up "Shoulda Let You Go" (featuringAmina Harris), reached number 41 on the Hot 100 and the top-ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number six.[30] The third and fourth singles, "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent", both reached the top-30 of the Hot 100 and number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending seven and nine consecutive weeks at the summit, respectively.[30] Cole received a variety of accolades for the album, including fourGrammy Award nominations and threeBET Award nominations.[51][52]
Aside from her music success, Cole made her acting debut with acameo role in theIan Iqbal Rashid-directed filmHow She Move, released in January 2008 and grossed $8.6 million worldwide.[53][54] Throughout early to mid-2008, Cole made several guest appearances on songs including the singles: "I Got a Thang for You" (with rapperTrina), "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" (with hip hop quartetC-Side), and "Game's Pain" (with rapperThe Game), respectively.[3] Additionally, Cole was scheduled to make a cameo onMissy Elliott's album,Block Party, which was originally intended to be released that year.[55] The third and final season ofKeyshia 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.[56]
Cole's third albumA Different Me was released on December 16, 2008.[57] The album debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 chart, with 322,000 copies sold in its first-week of sales, and received a platinum certification by the RIAA for selling more than a million copies.[58][32] The singles, "Playa Cardz Right" (featuring Tupac Shakur), "You Complete Me" and "Trust" (withMonica), all reached the lower-half of theBillboard Hot 100 and the top-ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[30] To promote the album, she served as a supporting act forLil Wayne'sI Am Music Tour, which ran from December 14, 2008, to April 10, 2009.[59] Shortly after the tour ended, Cole embarked on her first headliningconcert tour,A Different Me Tour, which began on May 13 and concluded on June 21, 2009.[60] Throughout this time, Cole was featured as the cover artist on several magazines such as the January issues ofJet and WordUp!, the March 2009 issue ofVibe, and the summer 2009 final double-cover issue ofKing.[61] In November 2009, at theSoul Train Music Awards, Cole earned a nomination in theBest Collaboration category for "Trust" (with Monica).[62]
On June 27, 2010, Cole returned to the public eye, filling in forHayley Williams to perform the chorus toB.o.B's "Airplanes (Part II)" featuringEminem during the2010 BET Awards.[63] Cole's fourth studio album,Calling All Hearts, was released on December 21, 2010, via Geffen Records. The album featured guest appearances fromNicki Minaj,Tank,Faith Evans,Timbaland, and her adoptive mother Yvonne Cole.[64] The album's lead single, "I Ain't Thru" (featuring Nicki Minaj), premiered on November 23, 2010, with a Benny Boom–directed video shot on location in New York City and documented in behind‑the‑scenes footage byRap‑Up TV.[65] The follow‑up promotional single, "Long Way Down", was similarly accompanied by a Benny Boom–directed video starring Cole and her then-fiancéDaniel Gibson, which premiered in December 2010.[65]Calling All Hearts received mixed to positive reviews from music critics and opened at number nine on the USBillboard 200 chart, selling 128,000 copies in its first week.[66][30][67] In January 2011, Cole announced via Twitter that she had parted ways with longtime manager Manny Halley and left his Imani Entertainment label following the album's lower‑than‑expected sales and chart performance.[68] The album's second official single, "Take Me Away", impacted urban contemporary radio in February 2011 and reached number 27 onBillboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[69][30] To supportCalling All Hearts, Cole joinedR. Kelly'sLove Letter Tour as anopening act from June 16 to July 3, 2011, performing in arenas across the United States alongsideMarsha Ambrosius andK. Michelle as part of the lineup announcement on April 19, 2011.[70]
In September 2011, Cole began work on her fifth studio album, with a planned February 2012 release date for the then‑untitled record.[71] That album,Woman to Woman, was released on November 19, 2012.[72] In the United States, the album debuted at number 10 on theBillboard 200 chart, moving 96,000 copies in its first week and securing the number two spot on the Top R&B/Hip‑Hop Albums chart.[67] The lead single from the album, "Enough of No Love" (featuringLil Wayne), reached number 84 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking her 12th top-ten entry on that chart.[73] The album's second single, "Trust and Believe", peaked at number 32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[30] Both singles were accompanied with music videos directed byBenny Boom.[74]Woman to Woman showcased a production roster that consisted ofDarhyl Camper,Harmony Samuels,Rodney Jerkins,T-Minus,Vidal, andWonda, while its guest features included recording artistsLil Wayne,Meek Mill,Ashanti,Elijah Blake, andRobin Thicke.[75]
Prior to the album's release, Cole's life and recording process were chronicled in theBET reality television seriesKeyshia & Daniel: Family First, which ran for eight episodes from October 9 to December 4, 2012, documenting her studio sessions, family dynamics, and relationship with then‑husband Daniel Gibson; the series averaged over one million viewers per episode in its initial run.[76] Cole's second headlining concert tour, theWoman to Woman Tour, began in March 2013, in support ofWoman to Woman.[77] In October 2013, Cole released the music video for the album's third and final single, "I Choose You", directed by Ethan Lader.[78]
In March 2014, Cole debuted the title and first two singles for her sixth studio albumPoint of No Return, "Rick James", which features American rapperJuicy J, and "Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)".[79] On April 2, 2014, Cole and Australian rapperIggy Azalea released acover version ofDiana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", forThe Other Woman movie soundtrack.[80] The second single fromPoint of No Return, "She", was released on June 24.[81] The song's lyrics sparked lesbian speculations about Cole before she clarified that the true meaning of the song wasself-love.[82] Cole embarked on thePoint of No Return Tour on July 12 inRochester, New York; the tour included 22 dates that ran through to August 25.[83]Point of No Return was released on October 7, 2014, featuring guest appearances from2 Chainz, Juicy J,Future,Gavyn Rhone,Wale, andAugust Alsina.[84] The album became Cole's third number-one R&B album and her sixth consecutive album to debut within the top 10 in the United States.[30][85] All of the tracks on the album received music videos, which were released separately.[86] The same month of the album's release, American singer K. Michelle announced that she and Cole would reportedly go on a tour together in January 2015.[87]
In February 2015, Cole starred in her third BET reality series,Keyshia Cole: All In.[88] The series followed her professional endeavors, parenthood, and family problems.[89] With Cole serving as an executive producer, the series ran for eight episodes before concluding on April 21, 2015.[89] In September 2015, Cole independently released theLondon on da Track-produced song "Don't Waste My Time" (featuringYoung Thug) and her ownremixed version ofDrake's "Hotline Bling".[90][91] That same year, Cole made two guest appearances on hip-hop albums. She was featured alongsideJ. Cole on "Black Heaven", a track fromBoosie Badazz'sTouch Down 2 Cause Hell (2015), and appeared on "Nothing to Me" with rapperE-40 fromG-Eazy'sWhen It's Dark Out (2015).[3]
On November 11, 2016, it was revealed that Cole had finished recording her then-upcoming seventh studio album and had signed a record deal withEpic Records.[92] On January 27, 2017, Cole released the lead single "You" (featuringRemy Ma andFrench Montana).[93] The song's music video, which was directed byBenny Boom, premiered throughVH1 a month later.[94] In July, Cole joined the main cast for thefourth season ofLove & Hip Hop: Hollywood.[95] Before departing the show after the season concluded, Cole's plot revolved around her co-parenting arrangement with Gibson and her preparation for the release of her album.[95][96] On August 25, 2017, Cole released the second single "Incapable", with itsMike He-directed music video premiering on October 6.[97][98] Cole's seventh album,11:11 Reset, was released on October 20, 2017, featuring guest appearances from Remy Ma, French Montana,DJ Khaled, Young Thug,Kamaiyah, andToo $hort.[99] Upon its release, the album debuted at number 37 on the USBillboard 200 and number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[30] On November 25, Cole made a guest appearance onLip Sync Battle during its Soul Train special, where she lip-synced to "Car Wash" byRose Royce.[100] In August 2018, Cole performed at the third annual Black Music Honors.[101]
On July 22, 2019, Cole announced that she would return with aBET-syndicated biographical documentaryKeyshia Cole: My New Life, which premiered on November 18, 2019. The documentary followed Cole's pregnancy with her second child and her relationship with her then-boyfriend and baby's father, Niko Khale.[102] On November 17, 2019, Cole performed a freestyle at the2019 Soul Train Music Awards cypher.[103] On December 23, 2019, she was featured on singerKehlani's single "All Me".[104] That same year, she began hosting her own talk show on the digitaltelevision networkFox Soul,One on One with Keyshia Cole.[105] Described by Cole as "the show where we all come together and keep it real on everything from social media to social issues" prior to its premiere, the show aired through November 14, 2019 to May 2020.[105][106]
In June 2020, it was reported that Cole had signed a management deal with talent management companyPrimary Wave, shortly after revealing that she had reunited with longtime friend andrecord producerRon Fair, with whom she worked with for her first four albums.[107] On July 22, 2020, speculations came out about a possibleVerzuz battle between Cole andAshanti after Cole publicly challenged her during the live streamed match between rappersDMX andSnoop Dogg.[108][109] On December 2, 2020, Cole announced via herInstagram Live, while singing a few of her previous records, that she would soon be competing in a match.[110] Two days later, it was confirmed that the latestVerzuz battle would be between Cole and Ashanti. The in-person competition was expected to take place on December 12, 2020,[111][112] though it was postponed after Ashanti tested positive forCOVID-19 ahead of the event.[113] Nevertheless, the battle took place on January 21, 2021.[114]
On February 5, 2021, Cole released the standalone single "I Don't Wanna Be in Love", under herindependent record label, Hearts and Stars, created with the support ofBMG.[115] In March 2021, Cole announced her intention to retire from the music industry after the release of her upcoming eighth studio album.[116] At the Lights On Festival inConcord, California on September 18, 2021, Cole performed live for the first time since the death of her biological mother.[117] On January 11, 2022, Cole signed a global deal with theCreative Artists Agency (CAA).[118] In March 2022, Cole was profiled and interviewed byTami Roman for her own episode in theTV One documentary series,Uncensored.[119] In support of herLifetime-original biographical film,Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story, in which she starred in and executive produced, Cole released the standalone single "Forever Is a Thing" on June 23, 2023.[120]Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story, which premiered on June 24, 2024, was inspired by the death of Cole's biological mother, along with other major events in her life and career.[120] The film received three million viewers throughout its debut weekend and became one of Lifetime's highest rated films of that year.[121][122] On September 12, 2023, Cole performed "Last Night" alongsideDiddy during his Global Icon set at theMTV Video Music Awards.[123]
Through late 2023, Cole competed as "Candelabra" in thetenth season ofThe Masked Singer, finishing fifth place.[124] In December 2023, Cole featured on thesoundtrack to the filmThe Color Purple ("No Love Lost") and on theGag City Edition ofNicki Minaj's fifth studio albumPink Friday 2 ("Love Me Enough" withMonica).[125][126] In 2024, Cole headlined The Love Hard Tour; joined by co-headlining actTrey Songz and featured actsJaheim and K. Michelle.[122] The tour began on February 22, 2024 in Macon, Georgia and concluded on April 14, 2024 in Southaven, Mississippi.[122] In October 2024, Cole featured on the deluxe edition ofElijah Blake's fourth studio albumElijah ("Every Little Thing") andHunxho's second studio albumThank God ("Don't Let Me Down").[127][128] On April 17, 2025, Cole announced The Way It Is 20th Anniversary Tour, which began on July 1, 2025.[129] The tour's supporting acts includedTink, Wale, Lil' Kim,Fridayy andJeremih.[129]
Ultimately, music is to reflect the artist and their artistry. I've been pretty true to that. I do appreciate my fans and I love them for being supportive from the beginning. When I'm recording, I always think about them. I always hear, 'Girl, you helped me get through a bad breakup' and 'Girl, you helped me get through my marriage,' things to that extent, so I'm always trying to look out for my fans but [at the same time] it's ultimately reflective of my life.
Cole possesses the vocal range of asoprano, in which theLos Angeles Times has described her as a "raspy soprano" capable of communicating "pain and anguish" with equal force.[131][132] Alison Fensterstock ofGambit praised Cole's "thrilling, emotion‑drenched soprano" voice, noting its "urban grit that adds a rough edge to the studio shimmer and acrobatic vocalizing".[132] Jim Farber of theNew York Daily News described her voice as having a "flexible range ofR&B, the muscular punch ofsoul and the hard character ofhip hop" and suggested that it contains a "smoky flavor, and a husky texture."[133] ABillboard album roundup noted Cole's "command of vocal talent", observing how she "exhibits a growing confidence" through her vocal delivery.[134] Cole has openly acknowledged that she never took formal vocal lessons and she credits her hardships for forging the power and authenticity in her voice.[22]
Cole's songwriting process is characterized by an immediate and intuitive connection to music. She has stated, "When I hear something, I hear it — it doesn't take me three, four, five times to hear a song and say, 'OK, let's write.' If I don't write to it right off the bat, it's not working."[135]The New York Times'Kelefa Sanneh wrote that she "sings love stories that could almost be war stories", highlighting the emotional weight of her songwriting.[136] Her musical approach has been described as a "forthright approach to soul‐rooted R&B".[3]MVRemix observed that she "brings back what many other R&B singers leave behind; soul" and appended that "she sings with enough grit and evokes enough heartache to make your mother feel it."[137]BroadwayWorld commented that Cole delivers her music with "unfiltered storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and signature blend of vulnerability and strength".[138]H&S Magazine dubbed her "a powerhouse in modern R&B", emphasizing how she "plays a pivotal role in bridging the worlds of hip-hop and soul" through her blend of emotional depth and resilience.[139]
In praising her musical evolution, critics also highlighted Cole's distinct vocal delivery across multiple projects.Entertainment Weekly noted that on her debut studio albumThe Way It Is, "Cole's street‑savvy Oakland upbringing gives her vocals depth and her songs a genuine, lived-in feel", underscoring how her background informed her musical sound.[140] In reviewing her second albumJust like You,The Boston Globe described her as "a singer to be reckoned with, particularly in an urban market saturated with imitators", emphasizing her standout presence within the R&B genre.[141] For her third albumA Different Me, Ken Capobianco ofThe Boston Globe wrote that Cole "dares to be different—and pretty great", highlighting her exploration of a "sweeter and supremely sexy side" in her sound, andUSA Today confirmed that "the still‑evolving singer just keeps getting better", signaling consistent artistic growth.[142][143] Celebrating her fifth albumWoman to Woman,Entertainment Weekly's Tanner Stransky called it a "time machine to the sweet, soulful R&B of the late '90s", applauding Cole's vocal delivery on standout tracks.[144]
Cole's live performances have garnered a spectrum of critical responses, reflecting both her strengths and areas for growth as a performer.AllHipHop praised her efforts to revitalize R&B, noting that she was "trying to resurrect" the genre through her intimate venue performances.[145] Similarly, during a 2008 concert at theOakland Arena, Gabe Meline lauded Cole's performance as "completely goddamn dominating", describing it as a "nonstop firestorm of talent and amazement". The reviewer observed that she had evolved from "all energy and empty hyperactivity" to a performer who "retained the energy and tempered it with elegance and grace".[146] G. Valentino Ball ofBay State Banner described Cole's stage presence as "infectious", with her candid banter resonating authentically with the audience.[147] Ball noted that her interactions felt genuine, suggesting a deep connection with her fans.[147]
Not all critics have been uniformly complimentary, however. In May 2009, Evan Rytlewski writing forThe Shepherd Express described one of herA Different Me Tour concerts as featuring "countless similarly tense, tear‑soaked numbers about romantic strife", and even quipped about her "aerobic, high‑production concert" as verging on melodrama, writing: "watching Cole dance her way up a steep, seemingly unstable set of stage stairs in a pair of four‑inch heels, I feared the crappy boyfriend she's always singing about might have taken out a life insurance policy on the R&B star."[148] A review fromSoulTracks on one of Cole's shows during herWoman to Woman Tour pointed out that while she delivered a string of hits, her performance was marked by a "perfunctory manner" and an "alarmingly aloof" demeanor, suggesting missed opportunities for deeper audience connection.[149]
Cole grew up listening to her mentorTupac Shakur, and in an interview with theJamaica Observer, she named him as one of the artists that influenced her "soulful" style.[150][151] In a 2004 interview, she emphasized that vocally she aimed to blend "Mary [J. Blige] mixed withBrandy", and personally looked up to bothMonica and Brandy for demonstrating how young women could command respect in music.[19] Cole has cited Blige as one of her greatest influences, and throughout her career she has been compared to or described as a "direct musical descendant" of Blige.[152]
Cole addressed the comparisons to Blige in a 2007 appearance onThe Tyra Banks Show, saying, "I love Mary, she is so powerful [...] She's a wonderful figure to be like. For people to compare me to her, I definitely think that's strength. But yeah, I don't know if I'm the next Mary."[153] In 2011, Cole covered Blige's version of "I'm Going Down" while opening forR. Kelly during hisLove Letter Tour.[154] Other than Blige, Cole has named Brandy as one of her main influences and has indicated that Brandy's success inspired Cole to pursue music, adding, "I thought if she could do it, I definitely could do it."[151][14]
Cole has also mentionedFaith Evans,Toni Braxton, andChanté Moore as major musical influences and has acknowledged the impact ofAaliyah andAlicia Keys.[155][156][157]
In June 2005, Cole appeared in aSouthpole apparel advertising campaign published inVibe, modeling pieces from the brand's women's collection.[158] In May 2006, Cole was selected to serve as the face ofAkademiks' Ladies Fall/Holiday advertising campaign for the urban wear and accessories brand, appearing in promotional materials for its women's line.[159] In 2008, Cole partnered withLuster Products to endorse their relaunched Pink Brand Smooth Touch hair care line. The campaign featured Cole in advertising, product packaging, and "A Day in the Life" online videos, with promotional efforts spanning radio, print, in-store events, and grassroots marketing to enhance brand visibility.[160]
In October 2012, it became public knowledge that Cole and shoe designerSteve Madden, had collaborated on a three-piece shoe collection that was initially slated to debut one month later.[161] It was also reported that the first pair of shoes are red platform heels with ruffles and a heart-shaped cutout on the wedge, while the second pair of shoes are "funky-patterned" strappy heels.[162] During an appearance withWWPR-FM'sThe Breakfast Club, she discussed the collection and said:
I've been talking about this Steven Madden deal for about four years now. [...] I wanted to do a deal with Steven Madden is because, when I didn't have any money and before I got my deal, I use to buy Steve Madden shoes. So I just want to make sure that I do really cute shoes that my demographic can afford. [The shoes will debut in] November. I've already made all three and they will be featured in my videos and in the album packaging.[161]
On July 26, 2013, Cole posted images of more shoes from the collection.[163] In September 2013, the shoe line was launched and included seven heel styles ranging from pumps to booties to tall boots.[164] In support of the launch, Cole embarked on a personal appearance tour; the tour began on September 19 atPentagon City Mall inArlington, Virginia, continued on September 21 atTowson Town Center inTowson, Maryland, and concluded on September 26 atLenox Square Mall inAtlanta, Georgia.[164] A second range of shoes were introduced in March 2014.[165] Regarding his collaboration with Cole, Madden stated: "Keyshia is great to work with. She brings fresh ideas to the table, and knows what girls want. It was a pleasure to work with her again."[165]
In December 2021, Cole partnered with hair grooming company Red by Kiss, launching a line ofbonnets andheadscarves.[166]
In September 2008, Cole contributed to the song "Just Stand Up!" with fifteen other female artists, who shared the stage to perform the song live on September 5, 2008, during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special. The proceeds from the single were given to the fundraiser.[167] The television special helped raise $100 million for cancer research.[168] On October 29, 2008, Cole was honored with the Dr. Betty Bahiyah Shabazz Award by the Black Cotton Foundation, anonprofit organization in theNew York metropolitan area, alongside formerBlack Panther Party leaderEricka Huggins.[169] This award recognized their consistent and positive contributions to their communities, and the ceremony took place atMalcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in NYC.[169]
On April 30, 2011, Cole performed at theRevlon Run/Walk for Women in NYC, an event focused on raising awareness and funds for women's cancer research.[170] In August 2011, Cole and her then-husbandDaniel Gibson contributed to the "Braids & Fades" event inCleveland, Ohio, by donating school supplies through their foundation. The event, organized byRadio One Cleveland and sponsored by Villa, provided free haircuts, hairstyles, and school supplies to 300 underprivileged children, easing the back-to-school burden for many families in need.[171] On September 30, 2012, Cole returned to her hometown inOakland, California to celebrate the fifth annual Keyshia Cole Day at the East Oakland Sports Center, an event she initiated in 2008 when the City of Oakland proclaimed August 8 as Keyshia Cole Day in recognition of her musical achievements. The family-friendly event included live entertainment, food, and children's activities.[172] In January 2015, Cole donated $15,000 to the family ofOscar Grant, an unarmed African-American man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Oakland, California.[173]
Cole is a devoutChristian, crediting her adoptive mother's insistence on regular church attendance and Bible study with creating a spiritual foundation for her.[174] Cole has openly recounted promisingGod to stop usingmarijuana once she secured a recording deal and has stated that any future partner "must have a strong relationship with God" to be compatible with her faith-centered values.[175][176]
Cole became romantically involved with rapper and record executiveBirdman in January 2014.[177] On September 19, 2014, Cole was arrested and charged withmisdemeanor battery after allegedly assaulting a woman at Birdman's condominium home inLos Angeles, California; which led to him cutting ties with Cole soon after.[178] The woman, Sabrina Mercadel, sued Cole for $4 million over the alleged assault.[179] Mercadel claimed that Cole threw objects at her, punched her in the face, pulled her hair, and slashed her with fingernails.[180] On December 28, 2017, the lawsuit was finalized after Cole purportedly didn't show up to court resulting in her being ordered to pay $100,000 toward Mercadel.[179]
In January 2025, Cole's Los Angeles residence was destroyed during the 2025Palisades Fire, leaving her family's belongings lost to the blaze.[181]
Between November 2005 to October 2007, Cole was discreetly involved in a romantic relationship with rapperJeezy.[177] During a 2008 interview withVibe, Jeezy alleged that Cole had proposed to him, stating: "Keyshia asked me to marry her, bought me a ring and everything. [She's] not gonna tell you different. I was grown enough to tell her, 'Look, baby, that isn't what it is right now. I'm trying to get my shit together. I'm trying to get my money, take care of me and mine."[177]
Cole began datingNBA playerDaniel Gibson in May 2009, announcing their engagement and her pregnancy in January 2010.[177][182] On March 2, 2010, she gave birth to her son, Daniel Hiram Jr., with Gibson.[177] The couple were married at a ceremony inLas Vegas, on May 21, 2011,[183] before renewing their vows inHawaii in September 2011.[184] The entire wedding weekend was filmed and aired onKeyshia and Daniel: Family First, in October 2012.[185] In March 2014, Cole confirmed during an interview onThe Breakfast Club that she and Gibson were separated, succeeding the rumors that Gibson had cheated on Cole with anexotic dancer.[186] In April 2017, Cole announced that they had filed for divorce,[187] which was finalized on September 3, 2020.[188]
On May 3, 2019, Cole announced that she was expecting her second child, with her then-boyfriend Niko Khale.[189] Cole gave birth to her second son, Tobias Khale, on August 1, 2019.[190] In October 2020, Khale confirmed that he and Cole had ended their relationship.[191] In April 2022, Cole was briefly linked to formerNFL wide receiverAntonio Brown.[192] Their short-lived fling garnered media attention but did not develop into a serious relationship.[192] In April 2024, Cole was seen at a nightclub inAtlanta, Georgia, with rapperHunxho, sparking rumors of a romance. The speculation was confirmed when Hunxho publicly revealed that he and Cole were dating.[193] On March 16, 2025, Cole confirmed that she and Hunxho had broken up.[194]
Frankie & Neffe, a 10-episodeBET spin-off ofKeyshia Cole: The Way It Is, debuted on August 25, 2009, and followed the lives of Cole's mother Frankie Lons and her older sister Neffeteria Pugh.[195] According to reports, Cole was displeased with the series and her family's attempts to exploit their lives for reality television.[196] In December 2011, Lons published hermemoirThe Best Years I Never Had, which detailed her personal hardships.[197][6] Cole asserted in a December 2012 interview onBET's 106 & Park that she was biracial, despite not knowing her father's true identity or race at the time.[198] The reason for this was that Cole's mother claimed an unknown Italian man was Cole's biological father.[198] In May 2016, Cole met her biological father,Virgil Hunter, after a paternity test confirmed their connection.[199]
As displayed onKeyshia Cole: The Way It Is, Cole and her sister Neffeteria had a tense relationship.[200] Pugh's autobiographical bookThe Price I Paid, which was published in 2012, was perceived as a "tell-all book" that mainly discussed her relationship and disputes with Cole.[201] Pugh claimed that the book explores her life and the lives of her family following their appearances on reality TV.[201] In a series of tweets on January 10, 2013, Cole vented her annoyance at the book.[201][202] Through anInstagram post, Pugh publicly apologized to Cole on March 19, 2018, for their prior disagreements.[200] In March 2021, Cole's younger sister Elite Noel disclosed on her Instagram story that she was estranged from Cole.[203]
Cole's mother, Lons, died on July 18, 2021,[204] from adrug overdose.[4] On November 14, 2021, Cole announced that her adoptive father, Leon Cole, Jr., died from complications fromCOVID-19.[205] While struggling to cope with both losses, Cole was hospitalized following ananxiety attack, in May 2022.[206]
The dispute between Cole andLil' Mo is believed to have begun around 2005.[207] In an interview withHipHollywood on April 3, 2013, Lil' Mo disparaged Cole, citing Cole's divisive tirade againstBeyoncé's "Bow Down (I Been On)" from the previous month, saying, "Sit down, get off Twitter, if you can't handle it, keep your opinions to yourself. Who is your publicist? Who is tweeting for you?".[208] Cole instantly reacted, captioning an Instagram picture with the words "You gotta be able to smile through the bullsh--".[209] Lil' Mo again dissed Cole during an appearance withThe Breakfast Club on May 2, 2013.[210] She went so far as to mention Cole as a vocalist she thinks she can surpass vocally.[210] Amid rumors that Cole had thrown eggs at the car of rapperBow Wow (with whom Cole was rumored to have dated at the time), Lil' Mo dubbed Cole a "thot" on an episode of her podcast,The Lil' Mo Show, on March 11, 2016.[211]
Cole negatively tweeted aboutMichelle Williams'Super Bowl XLVII halftime show performance on February 4, 2013, when she performed onstage alongside fellowDestiny's Child members,Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé.[212] Because of this, Cole faced online criticism from supporters.[212] Cole said that Williams' accusation that Cole had utilized an auto-tune microphone at a priorSoul Train Music Awards performance was the reason behind it.[213][214] In a March 2013 interview withRolling Stone, Kelly Rowland responded to a query on the circumstances by saying, "We matter to a lot more people, with all due respect, than her. So, I really don't care what she said".[215] Williams addressed the matter in a September 2013 interview withHot 107.9's morning show inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, stating: "I don't even do twitter beef [...] Can't wait to see [Keyshia Cole] in person so we can talk and say, 'Hey, what happened?'".[216] Later that month, both Williams and Cole publicly made amends over the situation.[217]
In March 2013, Cole posted a rant on her Twitter page, in which she criticized Beyoncé for her audio track "Bow Down (I Been On)".[218] As a result, Cole received backlash from urban media outlets and fans of Beyoncé.[219] American singer-songwriter and record producerThe-Dream announced in an interview on April 3, 2013, that he would no longer be working with Cole because of the situation.[220] Previously, The-Dream wrote Cole's song "Hey Sexy" from herWoman to Woman album.[221] Cole responded to this by tweeting that it was fine for him to not work with her again.[221] In an interview on March 20, 2014, Cole explained why she tweeted a rant about the song, saying: "I was not hating on Beyoncé. It was not directed at all as hate. I love Beyoncé. I've seen Beyoncé a few times. She's always a very sweet girl. To me, that just wasn't her thing. Like dude said, she switched it up or something. But that's just not what I know of her, so it kinda hurt my feelings."[222] In an October 2018 interview, Cole stated that she loves Beyonce and looks up to her, clarifying that her intentions were not to ignite a feud.[223]
On December 7, 2019,O.T. Genasis released "Never Knew", aparody of Cole's 2005 song "Love".[224] Cole voiced her disapproval of the song during aOne on One with Keyshia Cole episode; the video was then taken down from YouTube.[225][226] This resulted in social media exchanges and insults between Cole and Genasis.[227][226] Presumably, their feud was resolved when Genasis sung "Love" with Cole during herVerzuz battle in January 2021.[114] During her Love Hard Tour concert inLos Angeles, California on March 30, 2024, Cole invited Genasis to the stage, where he performed two songs and then publicly apologized to Cole in front of the crowd.[226][228]
In December 2021, Cole publicly criticizedMuni Long for taking a song she had written for Cole and giving it to another musician without getting Cole's permission.[229] In response, Long revealed that she had done this because of Cole declaring that she would soon be retiring from music and possibly scrapping her album.[229]
As of 2025, Cole has sold over 15 million albums worldwide.[230] In 2010,Billboard's The Juice ranked Cole at number 28 on their list of Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Last 25 Years, and she was subsequently honored inBillboard's all-time Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists compilation.[231][232] Furthermore, she was ranked 63rd onComplex's The 100 Hottest Female Singers of All Time and 27th onForbes' 50 Black Female Singers with Incredible Vocals lists.[233][234] OnBillboard's Top Women Artists of the 21st Century list in 2025, the author noted that her first six studio albums each reached the top-ten of the USBillboard 200, that she secured seven top-40 hits on the USBillboard Hot 100 and that "her biggest stretch aligned with R&B's heyday in the mid-2000s", leading to her placement within the list.[235]
AsRevolt observed, "Her influence can still be heard in the artists who follow in her footsteps", reflecting Cole's imprint on music.[236] American singerBetty Wright listed Cole as one of the artists who she believed were "still holding the torch" for R&B music.[237] Referred to as "The Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", Cole has been credited as one of the most influential R&B singers.[230][124] Cole has been credited as an influence or inspiration by Ahzie,[238] Celestia,[239]Cocona,[240] Chxrry22,[241]Giveon,[242] Hyejin,[243]Kanii,[244]Lay Bankz,[245]Layton Greene,[246] Mariah Angeliq,[247]Ray BLK,[248]Rayven Justice,[249] Riley Lanezz,[250] Tiana Kocher,[251] andQueen Naija.[252]
Headlining
Co-headlining
Opening act
| Supporting act
Promotional tours
|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | How She Move | Herself | |
| 2018 | Charming[256] | Cinderella #2 | |
| 2023 | Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story | Herself | Television film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | All of Us | Herself | Episode: "Hollywood Swinging" |
| 2006–2008 | Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is | 33 episodes | |
| 2008 | Snoop Dogg's Father Hood | Episode: "Snow in da Hood" | |
| Paris Hilton's My New BFF | |||
| What Perez Sez | Episode: "About Divas" | ||
| 2012 | Keyshia & Daniel: Family First | 8 episodes Also executive producer | |
| 2015 | Keyshia Cole: All In | 8 episodes Also executive producer | |
| 2017 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | 16 episodes | |
| Lip Sync Battle | Episode: "Soul Train Special" | ||
| Ridiculousness | Episode: "Keyshia Cole" | ||
| 2018 | Wild 'n Out | Episode: "Keyshia Cole/Smokepurpp" | |
| Tanked | Episode: "Keyshia Cole's Dream Tank" | ||
| Hip Hop Squares | Episode: "Gunplay vs. Tommie" | ||
| 2019 | Keyshia Cole: My New Life | Biographical documentary Also executive producer | |
| 2019–2020 | One on One with Keyshia Cole | Host | Talk show |
| 2023 | The Masked Singer | Herself/Candelabra | Season 10 contestant |
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