Keyshia Cole performs at the BET Awards last week in Los Angeles. - AP
Following a riveting performance at the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant 2008, R&B songstress Keyshia Cole returns to Jamaica on July 18 for Reggae Sumfest.
Although, to some, she may seem like an overnight sensation, the powerful soul singer from Oakland, California has been working her way up the music industry ladder since she was 12 years old.
Now at the age of only 24, she's a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated artiste with a passion for motivating and inspiring young girls from less fortunate backgrounds to focus on the more positive aspects of life.
Cole's first album, The Way It Is was a hit, which made R&B music appealing once more to a younger generation. The album produced the smash hit singles, I Changed My Mind, Love, I Should Have Cheated and (I Just Want It) To Be Over.
Wasted no time
Following the success of her debut album in 2005, Keyshia wasted no time getting back into the studio to record her sophomore LP. Between sessions, Cole worked with entertainment guru P. Diddy, to produce the hit Last Night.
In addition to this, Sean Paul requested Cole's voice for the remix of his single, Give It Up To Me. Keyshia's voice brought a different flavour to the track and helped boost airplay for the single.
In 2007, Keyshia teamed up with two-time Sumfest performer, Missy Elliot, and the queen of rap, Lil' Kim, to deliver the ladies anthem, Let it Go. The track would be Cole's first single off her much-anticipated album, Just Like You. As expected, the album did significantly well, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week, a career mark for Cole as The Way It Is sold only 89,000 copies in its week of release.
More mature
Just Like You represents a more mature side of Cole, both vocally and lyrically, making it clear why she's dubbed the Princess of hip-hop soul. Since its release, singles such as Shoulda Let You Go, I Remember and, her latest hit, Heaven Sent, are proof of Cole's capability to maintain a successful career in the entertainment industry.
With her spectacular voice and powerful soulful lyrics, it's easy to understand why she was an obvious choice for this year's festival.
Known to give her all during performances, there is already buzz surrounding what to expect from the R&B superstar.
She has a talent that surpasses so many others in the music industry and Sumfest patrons can mark the date with anticipation for when Keyshia Cole hits the Catherine Hall stage at Reggae Sumfest's First International Night 2008.
