Emerging Star Keyshia Cole Opening for Kanye
Shaoli Ghosh
Issue date: 11/3/05 Section: Arts
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Keyshia Cole, emerging R&B singer, is one of the opening acts for the Kanye West concert at the Mullins Center in Amherst. Her soulful and melodic voice has earned her three hit singles, three VIBE nominations and comparisons to the likes of the great Mary J. Blige. You would think the praise and recognition her new album is receiving would give her an ego, but as I discovered in an interview with this talented young artist, this girl is as real as they come.
Cole has often been described as a newcomer, but she has been in the business longer than most. Her first break at the music business was at twelve years old growing up in Oakland, Calif. Cole and her friends called MC Hammer constantly until he finally took their call. He gave her small gigs and she has known him ever since. MC Hammer was not the only one who helped her, as she also was close to the late Tupac Shakur. Cole said, "They encouraged me. Tupac said I was going to be a star." But not without a little nudge from fate.
Many magazines choose to focus on Cole's love life. Her album has many songs about heartbreak, which she sings with tremendous passion and hurt. She left her ex-boyfriend to pursue a singing career in Los Angeles only after she caught him cheating. When I asked her if most of her songs are about love and heartbreak, she responded with a strong "No, not all of the songs are about love." She goes on further to explain that the album represents her experiences.
Those other experiences are of growing up in Oakland, Calif. The hip-hop style and storytelling of life in Oakland penetrate her songs. Billboard magazine describes her style as "full-bodied, self-assured vocals that weave urban life narratives in a potent combination." She says, "Oakland influenced my music."
"Guess What" with Jadakiss, one of the songs on her album, is an example of hip-hop grit and intense heartbreak that is old school hip-hop and R&B. "I am needin' my keys from you/ I was so stupid for love thinkin' you/ was everything a real man can give me and more but guess not." The hip-hop beats create energy with catchy lyrics. That energy that is in her music goes through her performance as well. "The performance is real important to me," she says.
Cole has often been described as a newcomer, but she has been in the business longer than most. Her first break at the music business was at twelve years old growing up in Oakland, Calif. Cole and her friends called MC Hammer constantly until he finally took their call. He gave her small gigs and she has known him ever since. MC Hammer was not the only one who helped her, as she also was close to the late Tupac Shakur. Cole said, "They encouraged me. Tupac said I was going to be a star." But not without a little nudge from fate.
Many magazines choose to focus on Cole's love life. Her album has many songs about heartbreak, which she sings with tremendous passion and hurt. She left her ex-boyfriend to pursue a singing career in Los Angeles only after she caught him cheating. When I asked her if most of her songs are about love and heartbreak, she responded with a strong "No, not all of the songs are about love." She goes on further to explain that the album represents her experiences.
Those other experiences are of growing up in Oakland, Calif. The hip-hop style and storytelling of life in Oakland penetrate her songs. Billboard magazine describes her style as "full-bodied, self-assured vocals that weave urban life narratives in a potent combination." She says, "Oakland influenced my music."
"Guess What" with Jadakiss, one of the songs on her album, is an example of hip-hop grit and intense heartbreak that is old school hip-hop and R&B. "I am needin' my keys from you/ I was so stupid for love thinkin' you/ was everything a real man can give me and more but guess not." The hip-hop beats create energy with catchy lyrics. That energy that is in her music goes through her performance as well. "The performance is real important to me," she says.