Keyshia Cole

Keyshia Cole is an R&B singer, songwriter, and television personality from Oakland, California who became one of the defining voices of 2000s R&B. Born into challenging circumstances, Cole was raised in Oakland and discovered her passion for singing at a young age. She recorded her first song at age 12 with rapper MC Hammer and later connected with A&M Records, though her first deal fell through. After years of persistence, she signed with A&M Records again and released her debut album The Way It Is in 2005.

The Way It Is was a massive commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard 200 and eventually being certified Platinum. The album featured hit singles including I Changed My Mind, I Should Have Cheated, and Love, with the latter two becoming defining R&B anthems of the mid-2000s. Her follow-up album Just Like You (2007) debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum, featuring the hit Let It Go with Missy Elliott and Lil Kim. Her third album A Different Me (2008) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Cole expanded her brand into television with the BET reality series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, which premiered in 2006 and ran for multiple seasons. The show gave fans an intimate look at her personal life and family, further endearing her to audiences. She appeared in additional reality shows and acting roles throughout the following years, building a multi-platform entertainment career.

Despite personal challenges including a public divorce from NBA player Daniel Gibson and the tragic passing of her biological mother Frankie Lons in 2021, Cole has remained a beloved figure in R&B. She has sold over 15 million records worldwide and her music continues to stream well across platforms. She went on a successful Verzuz battle against Ashanti in 2022 that was one of the most-watched episodes in the series’ history. Through her music, television career, touring, and business ventures, Keyshia Cole has built an estimated net worth of $8 million.