Keyshia Cole has never been just an average R&B singer. While other singers of the day were being flashy in their videos and modeling more than singing, Cole was singing her pain. While other songstresses sugarcoated their upbringing, Cole bared it all for the world to see and judge. Propelled to stardom by her openness and soul-stirring musicality, Cole has enjoyed success on her own terms. Currently on tour for her latest album, A Different Me, with Bobby V, Keri Hilson and The-Dream, Cole took a minute to break down her perspective on living fast, her hit television show (“The Way It Is”) and what it means to be a real woman. –jh
Why She Loves Atlanta:
I’ve been in Atlanta for a few years — I’ve always wanted to live there because of the weather and the trees and I have so much room to breathe. It’s one of those places that … when you’re at home, it feels like home.
How to Survive the Game:
Make sure you’re not out hanging out too much and stuff like that. I pretty much run everything around me. Nobody ever actually says, ‘do this.’ I’m strategically planning everything in my career, my manager and me. So I have to make sure that what I put out into the world and what people see is something that people can be proud of.
Why ‘The Way It Is’ Hasn’t Changed Her Music:
In my opinion [‘The Way It Is’] hasn’t changed [my music] at all. When I’m singing about pain you can actually feel it, it’s not something that somebody wrote for me. In my opinion I don’t think that the series has changed anything.
Why She’s Every Woman:
I’m very driven, I’m demanding. I’m very giving but can be the opposite also; I can be very demanding. I just know what I want out of my life and my music. But on the family and friend side, I’m very giving and loving, so I’m every woman.
Partial Tour List:
May 13 – Cincinnati, Aronoff Center
May 14 – Milwaukee, Riverside Theatre
May 16 – Detroit, Fox Theatre
May 21 – Atlanta, Fox Theatre
May 22 – Greensboro, N.C., Special Events Arena
May 24 – New York, WAMU@MSG
June 6 – Baltimore, Pier Six Pavilion
June 9 – Nashville, Tenn., Rynam Auditorium
June 13 – Dallas, Nokia Live
June 14 – Houston, Reliant Theater
June 18 – Oakland, Calif., Paramount Theater
June 20 – Los Angeles, Nokia Theater
