Keyshia Cole’s debut studio album The Way It Is will be released on vinyl for the very first time since its release in 2005. It’s set to arrive in June.
The album cemented the R&B legend as a true lyrical savant, as she co-wrote every track alongside heavy hitters like Alicia Keys and John Legend. The record showcases her vocal dexterity as she takes us through a deeply compelling and emotional sonic journey.
Cole has also announced a tour, set to begin on July 1. Fans who pre-order the vinyl will receive exclusive access to the first pre-sale to purchase tickets for the North America dates. Visit Keyshia Cole’s official website for tour dates and more information. Describing the tour, Cole said in a statement that she is “so grateful to be celebrating The Way It Is 20 years later with the fans who have been with me since day one. This album changed my life, and being able to take it on the road — from city to city, country to country — is truly a full circle moment, and blessing.”
Originally released in 2005, the album was a monumental success, charting at No.6 on the Billboard 200 and reaching No.2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
In an interview that same year with SFGate, Cole spoke on how she viewed her music. She said: “Don’t look at me like an R&B artist. Most of the places that I go to and the people that I be around and perform in front of are actual hip-hop fans. They’re not R&B fans. These are people who go to the clubs and want to hear the bang-bang music. They don’t want to f*****g hear no slow s**t. But I can go in there and appeal to that audience because I am young and they feel my heart and where I’m coming from.”
She also reflected on why she makes music, noting that there’s a different reason than many might expect. She said: “There are some artists that love that limelight. I don’t do it for that. I do it for something else. I just do it because of all the s**t I’ve been through. I want girls my age to understand. The girls I sing to is in the ‘hood. They’re in predicaments that I’m sure it’s hard to get through, to be focused and try to be in school and try to keep a job, try to keep their minds straight. Those are the types of girls that listen to me. That’s why I sing—for them. I can’t let ’em down.”
Order Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is on vinyl now.
