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Biography
It’s not normally a good idea to meet your idols, so goes the accepted wisdom. It’s doubly true if they happen to be musicians, since one builds up such a convincing portrait of them based on their music that’s probably still false. However, it seems Keyshia Cole had the experience that every musician dreams of having when they meet their idols. At the age of twelve, Cole and her brother Sean were trying to make it in the music world so they decided to go straight to the source for information. They called MC Hammer. Of course, Hammer was nothing if not a busy man in the early 90’s, so it took many, many calls and many terse conversations with his secretary but miraculously, they managed to get through to him, and the twelve year old Cole found herself recording with him soon afterwards.
What’s more, it would happen again, but this time in infinitely more tragic circumstances. After working with Hammer Cole became something of a name in the Hip-Hop scene and later struck up a friendship with Tupac Shakur. Again, it was almost too good to be true, as he promised to help her out with her singing career, giving her a leg up by letting her write and sing a hook on an upcoming track of his. However, that would all happen on the same night he was tragically murdered. However, Keyshia Cole turned out to be the kind of artist who wouldn’t need that kind of help, and true to form, her first major successes would come on her own terms.
At the age of 18 she moved to Los Angeles from Oakland, and by the time she was 21 she was introduced to Ron Fair, an A&R man from A&M Records. He heard a demo of “Love”, a song that would go on to be her first platinum single, and signed her almost immediately after. Her first singles may not have set the charts alight but they showed off some impressive collaborators, with hr debut single featuring Eve and her second single being produced by some no-hoper called Kanye West. Her first mixtape came out soon afterwards, which again saw some impressive team ups with Fat Joe and Ghostface Killah. However, her debut album was what made her a star.
It was an immediate top ten smash, selling nearly a hundred thousand copies in its first week. Everything that followed “The Way It Is” was a hit, third single “I Should Have Cheated” hitting number 30, and “Love” going straight in at number six. Cole had arrived. Since then she’s gone from strength to strength, with two other platinum albums following her debut and since 2006, she’s had a succesful side venture as a reality TV star, with a number of shows following her personal life to this very day. Clearly, Cole is an artist that every fan of Hip-Hop and R&B should feel pretty blessed to have going, and she’s not out of her prime yet. One to see as soon as possible.
Live reviews
I went to the Keyshia Cole concert really not knowing what to expect at all! I watched some Youtube videos of her singing live and saw that her performances vary - when on TV she sings with really great backup singers, but when at a concert, she doesn't use background singers at all. This could be a bad thing or a good thing.
But, when I arrived at the show at the Fillmore in Silver Spring 2014, I was blown away!! Keyshia Cole looked and sounded amazing. The soulful R&B singer with personal, with lyrics that are easy to relate to delivered like no other! This is definitely one of the best R&B concerts I have been to in such a long time. The performance was top-notch. At times I wished we were at a more intimate venue, like the 930 Club or the Howard Theatre but I don't know how much influence the artist has over something like that. But Keyshia Cole took the time to talk to the audience and seemed really blown away by our love for her music.
Seeing Keyshia Cole on her promotional tour for her latest album, POINT OF NO RETURN, was exciting and fulfilling. I really felt like I was connected to the music, I felt that Keyshia Cole really loves her music and I got so much more respect for her. Her openness regarding her marriage issues and her demand that women love themselves was so empowering and so memorable. I cannot wait for Keyshia Cole to return with another concert - her singing and dancing for 1.5 hours, just was not enough for me and I think everyone in the audience wanted more, too. It's great to see artists doing what they love and enjoying their fans, Keyshia Cole epitomizes that on her POINT OF NO RETURN Tour.
ImABlackPoem
Keyshia Cole might not be one of those R&B artists who shot up to fame very quickly, but she is definitely one who’s managed to have some longevity in a this volatile business. So what keeps people coming back to see her? Her resilience, passion and her ability to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Starting her career at the age of 18, Keyshia dropped her debut album, ‘The Way It Is,’ in 2005. Eventually going platinum, this put Keyshia in prime position to be a contender in the R&B market that was already filled with some heavy hitters. However, she held her own and dropped five more albums including ‘Point of No Return,’ her latest LP.
If there’s something that makes Keyshia Cole a great performer is the fact that she personifies whatever she’s singing. While other singers do that when they start moving down toward the ground or shutting their eyes while belting out that high note, Keyshia is a bit more dynamic. When she’s singing an upbeat banger like ‘Rick James, she’s put her bitch mode into overdrive to show her diva side. Then if it’s a song like ‘Trust & Believe,’ she makes us feel like she’s just been heartbroken and makes you want to weep along with her achingly beautiful lyrics.
So if you’re in the mood to feel the music, not just hear it, Keyshia Cole might be the R&B artist for you.
evtan
I will begin with venue which is small and standing room only. There a few seat in the balcony but people had to get there super early for them which I was not doing. I called the venue (Irving Plaza) and asked what time she would come on stage and was told 9:40pm which was cool. I didn't want to stand for hours that is not cool! I have seen KC before and while she is a great singer her sets are very very short. She danced and had a few background dancers. I don't remember if she had a live band or a DJ. It was a good show. I just think that her shows could be longer since she has so much material to sing. Will I see her again? I think so.
Misst1121
I love seeing you up close finally for the first time you rock i listen to all your music so excited that i was able to take a picture with you and meet you very pretty more gorgeous in person i love me some Keyshia Cole one of my anniversary gift from my man and Christmas gift from my sister(best friend)the experience was awesome
alfreda-hicks
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