Keyshia Cole

Born in Oakland, California in 1983, Keyshia Cole did not have it easy as a youngster. Growing up amid violence and drugs, she was forced to mature quickly. Her only salvation was music, something Cole says she has loved ever since she can remember. As a preteen, Cole was so set on getting her developing voice on the radio that she began hounding MC Hammer. She informally formed a group with her friend, and the two would call Hammer's office every day, until the one-hit wonder finally picked up the phone and gave them a chance. The phone conversation eventually led to some shared studio time between Hammer and then 12-year-old Keyshia. In order to truly be successful as a musician, Cole recognized that she would have to put in the time, so during the balance of the 1990s, she worked on developing a beautiful soprano voice. By 2001, she was seeing results, as she collaborated with local favorite Messy Marv for the remix to "Nubian Queen," and joined Tony! Toni! Ton!'s Dwayne Wiggins for music on the Me & Mrs. Jones soundtrack. Sensing she was on the cusp of a significant shift in her career, Cole contemplated moving to Los Angeles, where all the action was. Initially hesitant about a change of scenery, she made up her mind in a matter of minutes after she caught her boyfriend cheating. In the dead of night, a furious Cole packed her stuff and drove to Los Angeles.

To further promote the album, Cole starred in her own six-episode reality show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. It premiered on BET on July 12, 2006 and ended on August 16, 2006. It was also promoted with rapper DMX's reality show as well.

Cole has finished working on her second album, Just Like You. The album was released September 25, 2007 and debuted at #2 selling 281,400 copies in its first week.

The first single is "Let It Go " featuring Lil Kim & Missy Elliott. The single has become a huge success for Cole, becoming her first #1 on Billboard's R&B chart, and her biggest hit on the Hot 100, peaking at #7.

In preparation for the release of the album, BET will air a second season of Cole's reality show "Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is" prior to the album's release for promotions . It will focus on Cole recording her second album, her mother's recent release from jail, and her sister Neffe. It is set to premiere on October 30.

Notes1 "I Changed My Mind" and "I Should Have Cheated" were released as a double A-side in the United Kingdom.

Soul Train Awards Nomination for Best Female R&B/Soul Single & Best Female R&B/Soul Album