Artist of the week: Keyshia Cole

First of all... I want to apologize for the lack of updates since September. Right now I am studying a  new career online, and that is exciting. But I promise I will try to update as often as I can, because this is an important part of my life.

And now, back to business. This week has been dedicated to one of the most underrated people on R&B, and I think that's a shame, because she is excellent and very talented: Miss Keyshia Cole.

Via

Keyshia has been around since 2004, but she had a prior career being mentored by none other than Tupac Shakur. Big stuff. Her first record, a song for the soundtrack of the movie "Barbershop 2: Back in Business", entitled "Never", was a first attempt to get into the spotlight, and although it didn't have a proper success, it was clear that she was destined to bigger things.

Then, magic happens. Her first album, "The Way It Is", appeared, and oh boy, what a treat. I will always say without a doubt that this is one of the best first albums of an artist ever, because it is simply great. She delivered big notes, passion and talent in every song. There are no fillers in this great work: every song has a purpose and it's in the tone of the album. It is really great.





After this album, things seemed to get better for her. She released a second album, "Just Like You", which was also a success, and then featured on some collaborations with artists like P.Diddy and Sean Paul that further helped to get her international recognition.







After that, there were more albums that failed to replicate the success of her first two albums, but that doesn't mean they are bad. Contrary to that, they are excellent, and they are proof that how talented and serious she is in her work, and a truly testament on how underrated is her music.

So saying that, these are my favorite tunes from her, and if you don't know her music, these gems are a very good start:

1. "(I Just Want It) To Be Over": How can you beat  a song title like that? (Obviously, I love parentheses). And boy, this track produced by the same team that produced Alicia Keys, this is definitely one of the best tracks of her debut album. Fortunately, it was a single, and although the video is nothing close to the greatness of the song, this is pure quality.



2. "Down and Dirty": Uptempo songs are not Keyshia's best assets, but in this one, she delivers enough swagger and enthusiasm to make a great song. A hidden gem on her first album.



3. "I Ain't Thru (Featuring Nicki Minaj)": Sure, everything that Minaj touches instantly becomes gold, but let's give props to Keyshia, for maintaining her style over the infectious Minaj rap, and deliver excellent performance on this little ditty.



4. "I Changed My Mind": This Kanye West assisted track was her proper first single, and of course, given the fact that was produced by West and it was her grandeur entrance to the music world and the charts, this is definitely a solid track. And the chorus is really dope, if you ask me.



5. "Let It Go (Featuring Missy Elliott and Lil Kim)": At the pinnacle of her fame, she delivered this track with the assistance of two of the most respected female rappers in the world. Also, it helps that infectious "Juicy Fruit" sample  and simple but effective lyrics. A hit all around.




6. "Please Don't Stop": Although her "A Different Me" album was not the hit it deserved to be, there were plenty of songs that made that album one of her best. Among them, this song that is very uptempo and very fun to sing along. She really let her go in this one, figuratively.




7. "Was It Worth It": Her mid tempos are her best forté, which is demonstrated in this song, that yearns desperation and disappointment all at once. Her phrasing, her voice timber, and her delivery are really magnificent, and I'm not being hyperbolic. A shame this was not a single, it would have been great.



All in all, a very complete artist, whose music stands for itself, and although the recognition for her has waned in recent years, she still is as talented as day one. I'm really glad to be a  fan of her work.

Via

Do you like Keyshia? Which one is your favorite song from her? Sound off in the comments!