Keyshia Cole is a multi-talented American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and television personality. With four Grammy Award nominations under her belt, Cole’s passion for music began at a young age, collaborating with MC Hammer at just 12 years old. Her career skyrocketed in the early 2000s, showcasing her impressive range of R&B tones and soulful voice. Through determination and hard work, she climbed the music industry ladder, consistently delivering critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums. While also dabbling in reality television, Cole’s focus remains on her music, always staying true to herself and her art. Additionally, she has been recognized for her fashion sense and astute business skills. Despite her achievements, Cole remains humble, stating that she would step away from the industry if success were to change her as a person.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Keyshia Myeshia Johnson
- Age: 42 Years, 42 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Daniel Gibson
- Father: Sal Gibson
- Mother: Yvonne Coles
- Siblings: Neffeteria Pugh, Sean Cole
- Children: Daniel Hiram Gibson Jr.
- Black Singers
- Rhythm & Blues Singers
- Height: 5’2″ (157 cm), 5’2″ Females
- U.S. State: California, African-American From California
- City: Oakland, California
Childhood & Early Life
Keyshia Cole was born on October 15, 1981 in Oakland, California, to Francine Lons and Virgil Hunter. Her father was absent from her life and her mother’s drug addiction led to her imprisonment. At the age of two, Cole was adopted by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole, who changed her last name to Cole. Cole met her biological father for the first time in 2016, after a paternity test confirmed their relationship. Her biological mother is still struggling with drug addiction problems.
Early Career
At the age of 12, Keyshia Cole entered the music industry and met hip-hop recording artist MC Hammer. She also became friends with rapper and actor Tupac Shakur, who promised to help her start a singing career but unfortunately died shortly after being shot. When she turned 18, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a music career and collaborated with artists from her native Bay Area.
Career
In 2002, Keyshia Cole was introduced to Ron Fair, an A&R executive, who signed her after listening to her unfinished single “Love.” Her first single, “Never,” featuring Eve, was released in 2004 as a promotional song for the film “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” Her debut album, “The Way It Is,” was released in 2005 and had five singles, including “Love” and “I Should Have Cheated.” She also ventured into reality television with the series “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” which aired from 2006 to 2008.
Keyshia Cole released several more albums, including “Just Like You” in 2007, “A Different Me” in 2008, “Calling All Hearts” in 2010, “Woman to Woman” in 2012, and “Point of No Return” in 2014. She also appeared in reality shows such as “Keyshia & Daniel: Family First” and “Keyshia Cole: All In.” In addition to her music career, she has collaborated with fashion designer Steve Madden to create her own shoe line.
Major Works
Keyshia Cole’s debut album, “The Way It Is,” and her second studio album, “Just Like You,” were both certified platinum and received positive reviews. Her fourth studio album, “Calling All Hearts,” sold 400,000 copies in the US. Her vocal performance in the album “Woman to Woman” was highly praised.
Awards & Achievements
Keyshia Cole has won several awards throughout her career, including a Vibe Award in 2005, an ASCAP award in 2007, and a BMI Urban Award in 2008. She has also been nominated for the Grammy Awards four times.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 2009, Keyshia Cole began dating ex-NBA player Daniel Gibson, and they had a son together in 2010. They got married in 2011 but divorced in 2017. Cole has faced legal issues, including a $4 million lawsuit for allegedly attacking a woman at Birdman’s House.