Keyshia Cole knows how much hard work,
determination, and focus it takes to succeed, especially
in the music industry. Growing up in Oakland, California,
known for its rough streets and high crime rate, Cole
had the odds stacked against her.
But, Cole, is no ordinary woman. Regardless of the
odds, she knew she wanted to be a musician, and she
focused on that goal even as a young child. At just
12-years-old, Cole officially kicked off her career
as she recorded with then mega-star M.C. Hammer. Just
a few years later, Cole received even more exposure,
singing on Messy Marv’s 2001 remix of “Nubian
Queen,” and contributing to the 2001 soundtrack
“Me & Mrs. Jones.”
Cole’s accomplishments, while impressive, were
only a hint of what was to come, and she knew to really
make it big she would have to leave Northern California
for the epicenter of the west coast’s music scene,
Los Angeles. Despite her dream of making it big, she
didn’t want to leave her boyfriend behind.
That all changed when her boyfriend cheated on her.
It was just the push she needed to leave Oakland behind
for the promise of Los Angeles. Once in Los Angeles,
Cole began to turn the heads of some of the industry’s
hottest stars, including Kanye West. But, it was music
producer, Ron Fair, who changed Cole’s life, signing
her to a record deal.
She immediately began cutting tracks for her first
album, “The Way It Is,” which debuted in
the summer of 2005, when Cole was only 21, and featured
the single “I Changed My Mind,” on which
West collaborated. Thus far, she’s released three
singles from her debut album, including “Never,”
“I Just Want It To Be Over,” and “I
Changed My Mind.”
But, that’s not all. She joined Eve on the 2004
single, “Never,” which appeared on the soundtrack
to Barbershop 2.
Poised for a white hot career, it’s only a matter
of time before she has fans camping out overnight to
purchase Keyshia Cole concert tickets. After all, Cole
has only written the first chapter in what promises
to be an inspiring career.
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