Keyshia Cole, the American singer and songwriter, began her journey in the music industry at the tender age of 12. Her career truly took off when she moved from her hometown of Oakland to Los Angeles at 18. With six successful albums under her belt and a seventh on the way in late 2017, Cole has enjoyed both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Discover 5 intriguing facts about Keyshia Cole:
1. She Met Her Biological Father for the First Time in 2016
Keyshia Cole’s biological parents are Francine Lons and boxing trainer Virgil Hunter. At just two years old, she was adopted by family friends Yvonne and Leon Cole, which explains her surname. Interestingly, Cole didn’t meet her biological father until 2016, after a paternity test confirmed their biological connection.
2. She’s Met MC Hammer and Tupac Shakur
At the age of 12, Cole was introduced to MC Hammer, marking the beginning of her involvement in the music industry. She also met Tupac Shakur, who was so impressed by her that he promised to help her become a professional singer by involving her in one of his upcoming projects. Tragically, the night Tupac asked her to participate was the same night he was killed in a shooting.
3. She’s Had Several TV Shows
Keyshia Cole has not only had one TV show but several. For instance, there was a six-part docu-series called Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, which delved into her personal and professional lives from various angles. Additionally, there was Keyshia & Daniel: Family First, which, as the name suggests, focused on Cole’s marriage. Lastly, there was Keyshia Cole: All In, which served as a continuation of the previous show, despite Cole’s dissatisfaction with the subpar editing.
4. She’s Launching a Shoe Line
In June 2017, Cole announced that she would be launching her own shoe collection in collaboration with Steven Madden. She expressed her long-standing interest in pursuing this venture and her excitement about working with Steven Madden, whose style she admires. The shoe collection will primarily feature boots, wedges, and high heels.
5. She’s Inspired by Numerous Artists
Keyshia Cole’s music is influenced by a variety of artists. It’s no surprise that she was inspired by Tupac Shakur, whose music she listened to while growing up. She has also cited Mary J. Blige, Brandy, and Monica as influences. Interestingly, Cole has mentioned Big Daddy Kane, a Grammy Award-winning artist with a strong presence in Brooklyn, as well as other artists such as LL Cool J and Queen Latifah.
