Keyshia Cole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keyshia Cole
Cole in 2017
Born	Keyshia Myeshia Johnson (1981-10-15) October 15, 1981 (age 43) Oakland, California, U.S.
Education	Tracy High School
Occupation	Singer songwriter television personality actress
Years active	1998–present
Spouse(s)	Daniel Gibson ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2020)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Virgil Hunter (father)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	R&B hip hop soul
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Epic Sony BMG Imani Interscope Geffen A&M

Keyshia Myeshia Cole (née Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, television personality and actress. Dubbed by critics as the "Princess of Hip-Hop Soul", she is known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer before signing with A&M Records to release her debut studio album, The Way It Is (2005). Supported by the Billboard Hot 100 top-20 single "Love", the album received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned two nominations at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards. Its success led Cole to film a reality television series for BET, 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 and third albums, Just Like You (2007) and A Different Me (2008), both peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and received platinum certifications by the RIAA. The former spawned the singles "Let It Go" (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim), "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent"—each of which peaked atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart—and received four Grammy Award nominations. Her fourth album, Calling All Hearts (2010), spawned the singles "I Ain't Thru" (featuring Nicki Minaj) and "Take Me Away", while her fifth, Woman to Woman (2012), spawned the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs-top 10 single "Enough of No Love" (featuring Lil Wayne). That same year, she starred in her second reality series, Keyshia & Daniel: Family First, alongside her then husband Daniel Gibson. Additional label swaps resulted in the Interscope release of Point of No Return (2014) and the Epic release of 11:11 Reset (2017).

From 2019 to 2020, Cole hosted the Fox Soul-syndicated television talk show One on One with Keyshia Cole.

Early life

Keyshia Myeshia Johnson was born on October 15, 1981, in Oakland, California, and is the biological daughter of Francine "Frankie" Lons (1960-2021) and boxing trainer Virgil Hunter. Cole is mixed of African-American and Mexican heritage. ..... She was adopted at the age of two by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole, changing her last name to Cole. At the age of 12, Cole was introduced into the music industry, along with her brother Sean (also known as Nutt-So), where she met and recorded with MC Hammer.

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, Cole became a participant at the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), a local youth organization. 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 and began mentoring her after listening to an unfinished version of one of her songs.

Career

2004–2006: The Way It Is

Cole's debut single, "Never", featuring Eve, was released on March 23, 2004, to promote the soundtrack to the film Barbershop 2: Back in Business. The single failed to reach the charts, but it eventually became the closing track on her debut album, "The Way It Is". On November 9, 2004, Cole released her first single from "The Way It Is" entitled "I Changed My Mind" featuring Kanye West. The radio remix, featuring then-incarcerated rapper Shyne reached #71 in the US. Her second single from the album, "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", was released on April 5, 2005, and reached number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 (101). Cole completed her debut album in early 2005. In anticipation, Cole and DJ Green Lantern released a mixtape entitled "Team Invasion Presents Keyshia Cole" in February 2005 featuring remixes of hip-hop instrumentals and snippets of songs from her album. It featured appearances by Remy Ma, Fat Joe, and Ghostface Killah. The Way It Is was released on June 21, 2005. It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 89,000 copies in the first week of release. It has since sold over 2 million copies worldwide, receiving a platinum certification from the RIAA. The third single from the album, "I Should Have Cheated" was released on August 3, 2005, and reached number 30 on the Hot 100. The fourth single, "Love" was released on January 6, 2006, and reached 19 on the Hot 100 and number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It has been certified platinum by the RIAA and is regarded as Cole's "breakthrough single".

2007–2009: Just like You and A Different Me

Cole at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta in 2007

Cole began work on the second album in early 2006. She was featured on the single "Last Night" by Diddy from his album Press Play which also ended up being on her second LP. The recording of the album was documented on the second season of her reality TV show Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. 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, the same de facto record label trade done on rapper The Game from Interscope to Geffen, a year earlier, to avoid his contractual obligations with his former rival, 50 Cent, and his crew, G-Unit. Now under Geffen, Cole released her second album, Just Like You on September 25, 2007. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 281,000 copies in its first week. After four months of release, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA, just like her debut, and has since sold 1.7 million copies in the US alone. Preceded by the number one hit single "Let It Go" featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, "Let It Go" has sold over one million copies in the US and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. The second single "Shoulda Let You Go" featuring Amina Harris, fared well on charts peaking at number seven on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The album's final single Heaven Sent, followed in the previous singles success. "Heaven Sent" is Cole's third number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs from Just Like You. It peaked at number one for nine consecutive weeks. It charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart for 55 weeks. On the Billboard Hot 100, it has peaked at number 28. The album's third single I Remember, reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cole received a variety of nominations for the album, including four Grammys, Best Contemporary R&B Album, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2008 Grammy Awards and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Cole was also featured on Jaheim's single "I've Changed", from his album The Makings of a Man and Keith Sweat's Love You Better, which was featured on his album Just Me and the soundtrack to Why Did I Get Married? Additionally, Cole was scheduled to make a cameo on Missy Elliott's album, Block Party. In early to mid-2008, Cole made several guest appearances on songs such as "I Got a Thang for You" with rapper Trina, "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" with Atlanta hip hop group C-Side, and "Game's Pain" with west-coast native The Game. The third season of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is premiered in October 2008 on BET. The 10-episode season followed up the last season following Keyshia's family and giving a look into her third studio album, A Different Me. The series concluded on December 16, 2008.

Cole released "A Different Me" on December 16, 2008. It had its debut at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 322,000 copies in its first week. The album has gone on to sell over 1,020,000 copies in the US, and has received a platinum certification from the RIAA. The album was preceded by lead single "Playa Cardz Right", with a posthumous feature from Oakland-native and past mentor, Tupac Shakur. It was released on October 28, 2008, and reached number 63 on the Hot 100. The second single from the album, "You Complete Me", was released to radio in December 2008 and reached number 62 on the Hot 100. Cole released the third and final single from the album, "Trust", a duet with Monica, on May 5, 2009, which reached number five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. To promote the album and single, Cole embarked on her first headlining tour, A Different Me Tour in summer 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. With more collaborations along the way with Keri Hilson on her debut LP R. Kelly's single "Number One" along with T-Pain, and Gucci Mane on his own LP "The State vs Radric Davis", she began work on her fourth studio album.

2010–2013: Calling All Hearts and Woman to Woman

Three months after the birth of her son, on June 27, 2010, 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 her third single from "Calling All Hearts", "Take Me Away", to urban radio as a fan choice, which was released on December 21, 2010. Cole performed the single on January 19, 2011, 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 then peaked on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 27.

Cole performing at the Essence Music Festival in 2013

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 the decline of opening week sales of Cole's album Calling All Hearts. She also disclosed that recent business disagreements also played part in their departure. This is Cole's first album to be released without Halley, as he was with her at the beginning of her career.

Cole started development on her fifth studio album shortly after she came out with her fourth album (Calling All Hearts). She began production on the project working first with writers Ester Dean and Betty Wright. She also collaborated with producers Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, Bangladesh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Toxic, Mave, and Earl Powell. This is her first project to be released without A&R executive Ron Fair. Her fifth studio album, Woman to Woman was released on November 19, 2012. The album 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 YMCMB rapper and past collaborator, 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, 2012, 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 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 Keyshia Cole and her former manager Manny Halley had resolved their differences & Halley was currently managing Keyshia Cole again.

2014–2018: Point of No Return and 11:11 Reset

In March 2014, Cole debuted the title and first two singles for her fourth studio album Point of No Return, "Rick James", which features American rapper Juicy J, and "Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)". On April 2, 2014, Cole and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea released a cover version of Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", for The Other Woman movie soundtrack. The second single from Point of No Return, "She", was released on June 24. The song's lyrics sparked lesbian speculations about Cole before she clarified that the true meaning of the song was self-love. Cole embarked on the Point of No Return Tour on July 12 in Rochester, New York; the tour included 22 dates that ran through to August 25. Point of No Return was released on October 7, 2014, featuring guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Future, Gavyn Rhone, Wale, and August Alsina. 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. All of the tracks on the album received music videos, which were released separately. 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. In February 2015, Cole starred in her third BET reality series, Keyshia Cole: All In. The series followed her professional endeavors, parenthood, and family problems. With Cole serving as an executive producer, the series ran for eight episodes before concluding on April 21, 2015.

In September 2015, Cole independently released the London on da Track-produced song "Don't Waste My Time" (featuring Young Thug) and her own remixed version of Drake's "Hotline Bling". On November 11, 2016, it was revealed that Cole had finished recording her then-upcoming seventh studio album and had signed a record deal with Epic Records. On January 27, 2017, Cole released the lead single "You" (featuring Remy Ma and French Montana). The song's music video, which was directed by Benny Boom, premiered through VH1 a month later. In July, Cole joined the main cast for the fourth season of Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. 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. On August 25, 2017, Cole released the second single "Incapable", with its Mike He-directed music video premiering on October 6. 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, and Too $hort. Upon its release, the album debuted at number 37 on the US Billboard 200 and number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. On November 25, Cole made a guest appearance on Lip Sync Battle during its Soul Train special, where she lip-synced to "Car Wash" by Rose Royce. In August 2018, Cole performed at the third annual Black Music Honors.

2019–present: Upcoming eighth studio album and Keyshia Cole: This is My Story

In 2019, BET announced that Cole would return with a fourth reality show Keyshia Cole: My New Life, which premiered in November 2019. 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 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. The movie received three million viewers throughout its debut weekend and was the number one telecast on cable on its premiere night. In late 2023, Cole sang the original song "No Love Lost" for the soundtrack to the remake of The Color Purple (1985). In December 2023, Cole appeared on Nicki Minaj's song "Love Me Enough", alongside Monica, from the Gag City Edition of Minaj's fifth studio album Pink Friday 2. In 2023, Cole competed in season ten of The Masked Singer as "Candelabra". She was eliminated during the Group C finals in "Soundtrack of My Life" alongside John Oates as "Anteater".

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.

Other ventures

In October 2012, it became public knowledge that Cole and shoe designer Steve Madden, had collaborated on a three-piece shoe collection that was initially slated to debut one month later. 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. On July 26, 2013, Cole posted images of more shoes from the collection. In September 2013, the shoe line was launched and included seven heel styles ranging from pumps to booties to tall boots. In support of the launch, Cole embarked on a personal appearance tour; the tour began on September 19 at Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, Virginia, continued on September 21 at Towson Town Center in Towson, Maryland, and concluded on September 26 at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, Georgia. A second range of shoes were introduced in March 2014. 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." In December 2021, Cole partnered with hair grooming company Red by Kiss, launching a line of bonnets and headscarves.

Personal life

Relationships

Through November 2005 to October 2007, Cole and rapper Jeezy discreetly dated each other. .....

Cole began dating NBA player Daniel Gibson in May 2009, announcing their engagement and her pregnancy in January 2010. On March 2, 2010, she gave birth to her son, Daniel Hiram Jr., with Gibson. The couple were married at a ceremony in Las Vegas, on May 21, 2011, before renewing their vows in Hawaii in September 2011. The entire wedding weekend was filmed and aired on Keyshia and Daniel: Family First, in October 2012. ..... In April 2017, Cole announced that they had filed for divorce, which was finalized on September 3, 2020.

On May 3, 2019, Cole announced that she was expecting her second child, with her then-boyfriend Niko Khale. Cole gave birth to her second son, Tobias Khale, on August 1, 2019. In October 2020, Khale confirmed that he and Cole had ended their relationship. In April 2022, Cole had a brief romantic fling with former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. After being seen together at a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia, Hunxho revealed that he and Cole were dating.

Family

Frankie & Neffe, a 10-episode BET spin-off of Keyshia 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. According to reports, Cole was displeased with the series and her family's attempts to exploit their lives for reality television. In December 2011, Lons published her memoir The Best Years I Never Had, which detailed her personal hardships. Cole asserted in a December 2012 interview on BET's 106 & Park that she was multiracial, despite not knowing her father's true identity or race at the time. The reason for this was that Cole's mother claimed an unknown Italian man was Cole's biological father.

As displayed on Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Cole and her sister Neffeteria had a tense relationship. Pugh's autobiographical book The Price I Paid, which was published in 2012, was perceived as a "tell-all book" that mainly discussed her relationship and disputes with Cole. Pugh claimed that the book explores her life and the lives of her family following their appearances on reality TV. In a series of tweets on January 10, 2013, Cole vented her annoyance at the book, tweeting: "How many of y'all have leaches [sic] in your own family?? I must realize that I'm not by myself! B—discuss me in your book and feature the shoes I gave you on the front? F—— Phony!". In May 2016, Cole met her biological father, Virgil Hunter, after a paternity test confirmed their connection. Through an Instagram post, Pugh publicly apologized to Cole on March 19, 2018, for their prior disagreements. In March 2021, Cole's younger sister Elite Noel disclosed on her Instagram story that she was estranged from Cole. ..... On November 14, 2021, Cole announced that her adoptive father, Leon Cole, Jr., died from complications from COVID-19.

Assault charge

Cole became romantically involved with rapper and record executive Birdman in January 2014. On September 19, 2014, Cole was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after allegedly assaulting a woman in Birdman's condominium home; which led to him cutting ties with Cole soon after. The woman, Sabrina Mercadel, sued Cole for $4 million over the alleged assault. On December 28, 2017, the lawsuit was finalized after Cole purportedly didn't show up to court resulting in her being ordered to pay $100k toward Mercadel.

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

Tours

As a headliner

• A Different Me Tour (2009)
• Woman to Woman Tour (2013)
• Point of No Return Tour (2014)
• Love Hard Tour (2024)

As a supporting act

• Sweatsuit Tour (with Nelly) (2005)
• Touch the Sky Tour (with Kanye West) (2005)
• Double Up Tour (with R. Kelly) (2007)
• I Am Music Tour (with Lil Wayne) (2008)
• Love Letter Tour (with R. Kelly) (2011)

Promotional tours

• Promo Tour (2007)

Filmography

Films

Television

See also

In Spanish: Keyshia Cole para niños