Words by Amir Shaw and Images by Michael Melendy for Steed Media Service
Just Like You
We’ve all met Keyshia Cole. The feisty Oakland-bred song bird conveys
an intense emotion that makes her one of the most relatable artists of her
generation. From the Kanye West assisted debut single “I Changed My
Mind,” to the vengeful “I Should Have Cheated,” Cole consistently illustrates
the pains of relationships in a manner that is gut-wrenching, genuine and
heartfelt.
We know Keyshia Cole because she’s unafraid to reveal her poignant past
to the masses. While growing up, Cole persevered through several traumatic
experiences that would have prompted a weak-willed individual to succumb
to their circumstances. Once a foster child born to a drug-addicted mother,
she followed her dreams of becoming a singer and has released two critically
acclaimed albums entitledThe Way It Is and Just Like You.
We know Keyshia Cole because she allows the world to get a closer glimpse
of her family life on BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is...” Cameras follow
Cole, her older sister, Neffeteria, and her biological mother, Frankie, as they
attempt to heal their fractured past. During an exclusive interview with rolling out, Cole offered her feelings on love, her addictive reality show and catching
the acting bug. You think you know — but you have no idea.
You’ve recently made an appearance in your first film, How She Move. Howdid you get involved with that project?
MTV Films got in touch with my management team and showed me the
movie a while back. The main character attends a private high school, but
she has to stop going because her mother couldn’t pay for the school once
her older sister dies. She begins to participate in a dance competition to win
money for school. I liked the characters and how the story unfolds.
Has this movie encouraged you to do more acting?
I really did not do a lot of acting in How She Move because I was pretty
much playing myself in the film. But I’m looking forward to doing more roles
in the future once I can find the time to take acting classes and study the art
more.
You were around 2 Pac before he died because of his close connection with
your brother, Nutt-So. What do you remember most about 2 Pac prior to his
untimely death?
I was very young at the time, but I definitely learned a lot from 2 Pac’s
passing. Although his music lives on, I think that he would be doing so much
more if he was still here. When you’re away, there’s not much that you can do
to change things. But 2 Pac encouraged me to take every day as a blessing
and to remain positive at all times.
Was there ever a time when you thought about giving up on your dream?
I never wanted to give up. This is something that I always wanted to do.
It was always in my heart to sing. Sometimes the business aspect can be
stressful, but I never wanted to give up.
Is there anything about the music industry that surprised you once you made it?
This business is hard work. A lot of kids see the glitz and glamour, but
they don’t know about the dedication that it takes. At first, all I wanted to do
was sing. I didn’t know about the long hours and what goes along with being
involved in music.
One of the first songs that you performed for Jimmy Iovine was called “Love.”How has the definition of love changed for you over the years?
As an adult, love is different. There are a lot of things that has to take place
while you are in love. When you are young, love is more about being happy.
But once you get older, you realize that you have to pay bills and that everyday
will not be great in the relationship. Sometimes it takes a while to understand
what love really means.
Your TV show [‘Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is’] takes a very close look at your life outside of music. Was their a specific reason whyyou allowed your fans to see your life in-depth?
I wanted the show to be an inspiration to young girls who might have gone through similar things that I have gone through. It
shows young girls that there is always a way out.
Do you plan on doing more for the kids who reside in Oakland [Calif.]?
In the future, I would like to do more things to help kids who need it. It’s important for them to stay strong and to know that
they can do whatever they work hard at. I would like to leave a legacy for the young kids. I want them to be inspired by the things
that I’ve been through and the things I’ve accomplished. As long as I can inspire them, I’ll be fine.
Hip-Hop
Families
Get Real
America’s fascination with the private lives
of celebrities has reached its apex with the
advent of reality TV. Songstress Keyshia Cole
has availed herself of this medium much to
the delight of tube junkies everywhere. But
is Cole the first public figure to elevate her
already shining star to a higher stratosphere
with this strategy? Certainly not.
Run’s House
Who: Rev. Run and family members Justine
(wife); daughters Vanessa and Angela; and
sons Joseph Jr. (Jo Jo), Daniel and Russell
Where: MTV
The theme: This hip-hop icon proves that
Cliff Huxtable-like families still exist. Rev. Run
superbly manages the personalities of his
exuberant kids while spending quality time
with his wife.
Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood
Who: Snoop Dogg and family members
Shanté Broadus (wife); sons Cordé (Spank)
and Cordell (Rook); and daughter Cori (Choc)
Where: E! Channel
The theme: Snoop Dogg ditches his gangsta
persona and shows that a hard-core rapper
is still inclined to sneak fried chicken past his
health-conscious wife and teach his kids the
fundamentals of soccer.
Gotti’s Way
Who: Irv Gotti and wife Deb Lorenzo
Where: VH-1
The theme: As Irv Gotti attempts to make a
comeback in hip-hop and R&B, he must also
deal with marital problems that stem from his
admitted infidelity.
The Salt-N-Pepa Show
Who: Cheryl “Salt” James Wray and Sandy “Pepa” Denton
Where: VH-1
The theme: The dynamic female duo, who
introduced themselves as Salt-N-Pepa
during the 1980s, have grown apart and
are attempting to reconcile after going years
without communicating. Salt has settled down
with her husband and kids in Long Island, N.Y.,
while Pepa strives to relive the excitement that
the group experienced nearly 20 years ago.
I love this article on Keyshia Cole's and on Snoop Dogg , Rev. Run, Gotti's Way , Salt and Peppa there all very nice people i watch all there shows especailly Keyshia Cole and Run's House
You’ve recently made an appearance in your first film, How She Move. How did you get involved with that project? 
Is there anything about the music industry that surprised you once you made
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