Words by Amir Shaw and Images by Michael Melendy for Steed Media Service
Just Like You
We’ve all met Keyshia Cole. The feisty Oakland-bred song bird conveys an intense emotion that makes her one of the most relatable artists of her generation. From the Kanye West assisted debut single “I Changed My Mind,” to the vengeful “I Should Have Cheated,” Cole consistently illustrates the pains of relationships in a manner that is gut-wrenching, genuine and heartfelt.
We know Keyshia Cole because she’s unafraid to reveal her poignant past to the masses. While growing up, Cole persevered through several traumatic experiences that would have prompted a weak-willed individual to succumb to their circumstances. Once a foster child born to a drug-addicted mother, she followed her dreams of becoming a singer and has released two critically acclaimed albums entitledThe Way It Is and Just Like You.
We know Keyshia Cole because she allows the world to get a closer glimpse of her family life on BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is…” Cameras follow Cole, her older sister, Neffeteria, and her biological mother, Frankie, as they attempt to heal their fractured past. During an exclusive interview with rolling out, Cole offered her feelings on love, her addictive reality show and catching the acting bug. You think you know — but you have no idea.
You’ve recently made an appearance in your first film, How She Move. How did you get involved with that project?
MTV Films got in touch with my management team and showed me the movie a while back. The main character attends a private high school, but she has to stop going because her mother couldn’t pay for the school once her older sister dies. She begins to participate in a dance competition to win money for school. I liked the characters and how the story unfolds.
Has this movie encouraged you to do more acting?
I really did not do a lot of acting in How She Move because I was pretty much playing myself in the film. But I’m looking forward to doing more roles in the future once I can find the time to take acting classes and study the art more.
You were around 2 Pac before he died because of his close connection with your brother, Nutt-So. What do you remember most about 2 Pac prior to his untimely death?
I was very young at the time, but I definitely learned a lot from 2 Pac’s passing. Although his music lives on, I think that he would be doing so much more if he was still here. When you’re away, there’s not much that you can do to change things. But 2 Pac encouraged me to take every day as a blessing and to remain positive at all times.
Was there ever a time when you thought about giving up on your dream?
I never wanted to give up. This is something that I always wanted to do. It was always in my heart to sing. Sometimes the business aspect can be stressful, but I never wanted to give up.
Is there anything about the music industry that surprised you once you made
it?
This business is hard work. A lot of kids see the glitz and glamour, but they don’t know about the dedication that it takes. At first, all I wanted to do was sing. I didn’t know about the long hours and what goes along with being involved in music.
One of the first songs that you performed for Jimmy Iovine was called “Love.” How has the definition of love changed for you over the years?
As an adult, love is different. There are a lot of things that has to take place while you are in love. When you are young, love is more about being happy. But once you get older, you realize that you have to pay bills and that everyday will not be great in the relationship. Sometimes it takes a while to understand what love really means.
Your TV show [‘Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is’] takes a very close look at your life outside of music. Was their a specific reason why you allowed your fans to see your life in-depth?
I wanted the show to be an inspiration to young girls who might have gone through similar things that I have gone through. It shows young girls that there is always a way out.
click here to view this video
Do you plan on doing more for the kids who reside in Oakland [Calif.]?
In the future, I would like to do more things to help kids who need it. It’s important for them to stay strong and to know that they can do whatever they work hard at. I would like to leave a legacy for the young kids. I want them to be inspired by the things that I’ve been through and the things I’ve accomplished. As long as I can inspire them, I’ll be fine.
Words by Amir Shaw and Images by Michael Melendy for Steed Media Service
Just Like You
We’ve all met Keyshia Cole. The feisty Oakland-bred song bird conveys an intense emotion that makes her one of the most relatable artists of her generation. From the Kanye West assisted debut single “I Changed My Mind,” to the vengeful “I Should Have Cheated,” Cole consistently illustrates the pains of relationships in a manner that is gut-wrenching, genuine and heartfelt.
We know Keyshia Cole because she’s unafraid to reveal her poignant past to the masses. While growing up, Cole persevered through several traumatic experiences that would have prompted a weak-willed individual to succumb to their circumstances. Once a foster child born to a drug-addicted mother, she followed her dreams of becoming a singer and has released two critically acclaimed albums entitledThe Way It Is and Just Like You.
We know Keyshia Cole because she allows the world to get a closer glimpse of her family life on BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is…” Cameras follow Cole, her older sister, Neffeteria, and her biological mother, Frankie, as they attempt to heal their fractured past. During an exclusive interview with rolling out, Cole offered her feelings on love, her addictive reality show and catching the acting bug. You think you know — but you have no idea.
You’ve recently made an appearance in your first film, How She Move. How did you get involved with that project?
MTV Films got in touch with my management team and showed me the movie a while back. The main character attends a private high school, but she has to stop going because her mother couldn’t pay for the school once her older sister dies. She begins to participate in a dance competition to win money for school. I liked the characters and how the story unfolds.
Has this movie encouraged you to do more acting?
I really did not do a lot of acting in How She Move because I was pretty much playing myself in the film. But I’m looking forward to doing more roles in the future once I can find the time to take acting classes and study the art more.
You were around 2 Pac before he died because of his close connection with your brother, Nutt-So. What do you remember most about 2 Pac prior to his untimely death?
I was very young at the time, but I definitely learned a lot from 2 Pac’s passing. Although his music lives on, I think that he would be doing so much more if he was still here. When you’re away, there’s not much that you can do to change things. But 2 Pac encouraged me to take every day as a blessing and to remain positive at all times.
Was there ever a time when you thought about giving up on your dream?
I never wanted to give up. This is something that I always wanted to do. It was always in my heart to sing. Sometimes the business aspect can be stressful, but I never wanted to give up.
Is there anything about the music industry that surprised you once you made
it?
This business is hard work. A lot of kids see the glitz and glamour, but they don’t know about the dedication that it takes. At first, all I wanted to do was sing. I didn’t know about the long hours and what goes along with being involved in music.
One of the first songs that you performed for Jimmy Iovine was called “Love.” How has the definition of love changed for you over the years?
As an adult, love is different. There are a lot of things that has to take place while you are in love. When you are young, love is more about being happy. But once you get older, you realize that you have to pay bills and that everyday will not be great in the relationship. Sometimes it takes a while to understand what love really means.
Your TV show [‘Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is’] takes a very close look at your life outside of music. Was their a specific reason why you allowed your fans to see your life in-depth?
I wanted the show to be an inspiration to young girls who might have gone through similar things that I have gone through. It shows young girls that there is always a way out.
click here to view this video
Do you plan on doing more for the kids who reside in Oakland [Calif.]?
In the future, I would like to do more things to help kids who need it. It’s important for them to stay strong and to know that they can do whatever they work hard at. I would like to leave a legacy for the young kids. I want them to be inspired by the things that I’ve been through and the things I’ve accomplished. As long as I can inspire them, I’ll be fine.
