Here’s a review of Keyshia Cole’s performance at a ATL show, thanks to RoJay from Middle Child Promotions for sending it in:

What’s good? I just wanted to drop in and let you know I went to see Keyshia Thursday night in Atlanta and I really enjoyed her the most of the entire concert. She was fly as fuck in her silver space outfit. lol…Naw, but for real she was rocking a silver short set with knee high boots, super blonde hair and definitely doing her steps. She added two extra back up dancers from last I saw her, giving her a total of four male dancers, her two female backup singers, a full band and props that included a park bench, street lights and a phone booth. Here is her setlist.

Intro w/ Didn’t I Tell You
Shoulda Let You Go (Amina came out to do her rap but was clearly lippin and messed up horribly because her vocals were going and she started to soon, turned back to walk off stage and then realized it was going and she returned. I just don’t see her doing well as an artist.)
Just Want It To Be Over
I Shoulda Cheated
Give It Up To Me
Just Like You
I Changed My Mind
I Remember
Love
Last Night
Let It Go w/ suprise guest Missy Elliott. (Missy got so excited she almost forgot her part and even announced it….”When the song come on in….I done forgot the words.” *laughs*)

I really enjoyed her and if fans haven’t seen her yet, please check her out! I’ve included pictures of Missy joining her onstage (this was of course after Keyshia had removed her jacket.) and Monica with her backstage!

Click here for the pictures!

Almost no TV show, “reality” or otherwise, can survive with only a lead character, no matter how famous that character is.

So what makes R&B singer Keyshia Cole’s BET show more compelling as it enters its second season is that Cole’s mother creates as much dramatic tension as the star herself.

Cole’s mother, Frankie, spent the first season in jail, finishing up a three-year sentence on drug charges. Now Frankie’s out, and while she’s saying the right things, nothing about her life suggests we’re guaranteed a “happily ever after” ending.

Cole, for now, has moved her mother into her Atlanta mansion and is trying to provide the material and emotional support for her to stay clean and sober.

This includes a “no visitors” rule that also applies to her sister Neffie, who has a drinking problem.

Neffie doesn’t like the rule, friction develops, and Cole asks a therapist if she can help her family without debilitating herself.

“Reality” shows live for these kinds of soap-opera scenarios, of course, but this one feels a little more genuine than most.

One long scene has Cole reclining on a couch, asking for a cup of tea and telling her manager not to cancel a couple of magazine photo shoots, just reschedule them. She looks genuinely worn down.

But the greatest dramatic promise here may lie with Frankie, whose life feels as if it’s still up for grabs. She says the right things - about how she has to work to regain the love and trust of people in her life - but one imagines all addicts say that.

The question is whether she will follow through. That battle, the stakes of which go way beyond its TV entertainment value, is a major reason “Keyshia Cole 2,” will be worth return visits.

Jill Scott is a free-spirited singer known for laid-back musings on life, and Keyshia Cole is a bold vocalist regarded for her brash attitude and soured-love songs. Both women receive praise for an appealing realness not often associated with contemporary R&B. But, as it turns out, being labeled a down-to-earth Everywoman can be just as confining as the binding clothing that is the uniform of less genuine songstresses.

The Internet is teeming with gossip about Scott and Cole and how personal change has affected their work. Scott, who recently released “The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3,” is going through a divorce and testing new hairstyles, but fans apparently miss her old hair and songs about her husband — you know, “the real Jill.” Meanwhile, Cole, whose breakout sophomore effort, “Just Like You,” dropped late last month, is branding herself a more mature artist — but some prefer her (allegedly) flipping on (alleged) ex-boyfriend Young Jeezy and otherwise immersing herself in the sort of drama that pleases the producers of her reality show.

Scott, usually a contented romantic, has new material about haters (”Hate on Me”) and liquor-soaked love affairs (”Crown Royal”) in the hard knocks-schooled style of Cole. And Cole is exploring Scott’s oeuvre by gushing about stable love (”Heaven Sent”) and the effort required to maintain it (”Work It Out”). But their respective fans should hold off on arranging an old-fashioned CD swap.

Stripped of preconceived notions about Scott and Cole, “The Real Thing” and “Just Like You” both gorgeously capture a particular point in each woman’s life. To hear the scrappy Cole reveal vulnerability and the normally upbeat Scott confess disillusionment is as real as it gets.

Scott’s “How It Make You Feel” is, on the surface, a divorce-inspired track about saying goodbye to a man, but then the Philly singer advances the song with a broad stroke, imagining that all of black womankind follows her out the door. The Scott Storch-produced “Epiphany” breezily examines the shallowness of a new physical relationship, but ends with appropriate abruptness and leaves Scott to wonder, “Why do I feel so empty?”

Cole, whose strong vocals and hostility have been a bit “Scary J. Blige” in the past, reveals herself to be a grown woman searching for perspective on bad relationships with “I Remember.” She displays similar growth on “Was It Worth It?,” a look at infidelity completely opposite from “I Should Have Cheated,” from her 2005 debut “The Way It Is.”

Yet, despite all of the upheaval documented on both discs, Scott and Cole include songs offering assurance that they haven’t changed all that much and are still just regular folks. On the title track, “Just Like You,” Cole acknowledges that she’s trying to figure out who she is, but knows she’s still plain old Keyshia. Scott follows suit, proclaiming herself to be an Average Jill on “Wanna Be Loved.” Perhaps the singers felt the need to mollify fans concerned by so much change, but both tracks feel forced — it’s hard to project a stagnant commoner when both have so clearly evolved into something new and extraordinary.

Keyshia Cole is scheduled to perform at 1st Mariner Arena on Nov. 24, and at Verizon Center on Nov. 25.

DOWNLOAD THESE: Scott: “Crown Royal,” “How It Make You Feel,” “Wanna Be Loved”; Cole: “I Remember,” “Work It Out,” “Was It Worth It?” (Amazon.com)

Sorry for the lack of updates… More coming soon!

Keyshia Cole : Just Like You

As we all know, it takes more than a catchy single to keep an artist from hitting the dreaded sophomore slump. With her new hit single, “Let It Go” feat. Missy Elliott & Lil’ Kim, Keyshia Cole proved that getting our attention again would be no problem. And, fortunately, her sophomore album, Just Like You, proves that keeping our attention comes just as easily for her.

Many fans grew accustomed to Keyshia hitting us with raw vocals and strong emotions, however on this disc she comes across a little more polished and laid back on some of her records. This is not necesarily a bad thing, but it may be considered a let down for the die hard Keyshia fans.
I often wonder what is harder for Keyshia: telling a guy that she is in love with him or telling her lover that she is leaving? It’s obvious that she has had her share of pain. Records like Fallin Out, I Remember and Work It Out show Keyshia in her element. She pulls you in lyrically and makes you feel all of the emotions that she is feeling. Of course these would be considered her heartbreak records and so for anyone going through heartache, these would be what I suggest.

One of the most sincere records on the album is Heaven Sent. Keyshia not only wants to be loved, but she wants to be the only one. Is she his angel? Keyshia takes you on a journey and each record has its own feel. Not as much screaming on the tracks, but just as much emotion. The production is much cleaner and the lyrics seem reflective of where Keyshia is at in her life making it more believable and honest. Album features include Too Short and Anthony Hamilton.

4 of 5 Stars

RoJay (Middle Child Promotions)

Keyshia Cole proved that she is an artist who will be around for a while. Her second CD “Just Like You” proves it. The long awaited CD “Just Like You” proves that Keyshia has grown, learned, and realized. Starting off with the #1 hit “Let It Go”, Keyshia proves that she isn’t going anywhere. Collaborating with the hottest hip hop females artists in the business (Lil’ Kim; Missy) you realize that this is a smash hit the first time you hear it. Even though there isn’t lots of upbeat songs on the CD, Keyshia still satisfies us “Didn’t I Tell You” featuring Too $hort, an upbeat club banger. She also ties it up with “Shoulda Let You Go” introducing Anima, she proves that she rocks the mic. She talks about how her boyfriend has been cheating around, doing what he wants while she is being faithful, and holding on. Definitely a hit! Keyshia admits her love is going down the drain “Fallin’ Out”, she tells her boyfriend “I’m slowly fallin out of love with you, I don’t know what to do”. This is a 5-star song. “Heaven Sent”, is a ballad by Keyshia Cole, one of the best songs on the CD. “Got To Get My Heart Back” is a definitely a favorite also, she talks about how she has to get her heart back after falling out of love. “I Remember”, is also a power ballad. Keyshia talks about she remembers when her heart was broken, but still in love. Keyshia also proves she is genius with her other tracks “Give Me More”, “Same Thing”, “Was It Worth It“, “Just Like You“, “Losing You” (with Anthony Hamilton), “Was It Worth It?” , “Trust”, and the has been hit “Last Night” with Diddy. If you don’t have this CD I recommend that you buy this as soon as possible. I must admit if you are looking for the same thing as “The Way It Is”, it may not be as enjoyable because Keyshia has grown, her music, and her voice has also changed (for the better, of course)! I believe this CD is better than the last, because I felt like she has brought it to a different level, I applaud her for that. Favorite Tracks: Heaven Sent, I Remember, Trust, Fallin Out’, Got To Get My Heart Back, Let It Go. Honorable Mention: Didn’t I Tell You, Shoulda Let You Go, Work It Out, Give Me More. Rating: 5/5 Stars!

More like the queens of Soul from days past than today’s more common Pop divas, Keyshia Cole can sing her ass off. While most of today’s female “R&B” artists sell themselves with elaborate acts and top-dollar production, she is one of the few newer artists who lets her voice be the star of the show. Sure, most of those girls can’t sing anyway, but whatever the reasons are, Cole is becoming a rare breed.

While her talents are unquestionable, the quality of Just Like You (Geffen) is still debatable. In some cases, the tracks she sings on turn her gift into a curse, like on “Didn’t I Tell You,” where her big vocals fight with the big beat. Still, when she’s given room, she delivers. The Anthony Hamilton assisted “Losing You” is a perfect example; Keyshia does more than just sing well, she sings like she means it. It may seem like she spends too much time on break-ups and pain, but those are the times when she feels the most sincere, so it’s ultimately better than her forcing out lyrics about a sunny day.

Just Like You feels a lot like the best R&B albums from Bad Boy in the ‘90s, but interestingly enough, the places where the Bad Boy influence is the most direct are the biggest problems. “Let It Go” isn’t necessarily anything special to begin with and it’s hard not to think of the B.I.G. classic when anyone else samples Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit.” For some reason, the year old “Last Night” is thrown in as well; a great track, yes, but one that we’ve been hearing for months now. If she wanted to make moves with Puff, the slot would’ve been better off with a new Diddy collaboration, or at least the remix.

Just Like You may not do much to change the game for artists of Keyshia Cole’s variety, but it is an overall solid album that fans of the artist or genre should easily enjoy. It isn’t a major breakthrough for Cole, but it definitely hints at what she could eventually accomplish and shows why people have been so quick to call her an heiress to Mary J. Blige’s throne. Mary may not be ready to step down any time soon, but with the right group of writers and producers, Keyshia will be first in line to take the slot when she is.

Hip-hop has always been like a movie, full of stars and background actors, good guys and villains. There’s the smooth leading man who always gets the girl (Usher), the intimidating mob boss (50 Cent), and the aging boxer who can’t give up the spotlight (Jay-Z). And we can’t forget the gangster’s girlfriend. The woman who helps her man hide his stash from the feds, then finally decides she’s had enough of his cheating, throws a flower vase at his head, and leaves a heartbroken but stronger woman.

For years Mary J. Blige played the “married to the mob” part perfectly, watch her with Method Man in You’re All I Need, but Ms. Mary’s getting older. Hip-hop’s been looking for a younger woman to fill the role for years. The search is finally over, Keyshia Cole is here. The small but powerful singer’s ready for the spotlight with her new release Just Like You, a cinematic album filled with stories of love-gone-wrong. Guys want her because she’s sexy but could still throw down in a fight, while women love her because she gives a voice to their lives. Sure Beyonce’s great, but can she relate to your problems? Not unless your problems include the chauffeur leaving your Gucci bag in the limo. That’s exactly why we need Keyshia Cole.

Last Night typifies Cole’s R&B abilities so perfectly it deserves its own paragraph. It’s musical justice that the track is on Just Like You, Cole deserves all the credit for its success. She owned that song, Diddy was just paying rent, and now it’s finally on the right album. Cole shows her range by keeping her voice smooth in the beginning, but by the end it’s breaking in all the right places for maximum emotional impact. It’s everything an R&B/pop song should be. Did I mention Diddy got completely upstaged on his own song? Just thought it was worth repeating.

Cole is at her best during mid-tempo jams like Last Night, and the album has plenty to choose from. Let It Go is the lead single, an anthem extolling women to kick their no-good man to the curb. Producer Missy Elliot drops plenty of reminders that the beat’s a retouched version of Biggie’s classic joint Juicy, and Lil Kim completes the Ladies’ Night vibe with a old-school verse. There’s also a Let It Go Remix (even Stevie Wonder saw that coming) that gives the men a chance at the mic. Young Dro and T.I. put in verses but it’s not their best work, just another inferior remix. Either way Cole’s put together a certified hit that will have ladies everywhere using a shampoo bottle as a mic in the shower.

Keyshia Cole is the pride of Oakland and she obviously hasn’t forgotten her roots. She recruited Oaktown’s founding father Too Short for Didn’t I Tell You, an unapologetic banger courtesy of some riding production from The Runners. If the clubs are going to explode to any track on Just Like You it’s this one. Similarly, R&B production mainstay Darkchild constructs a soaring beat that would have fit Mary J. Blige perfectly on Shoulda Let You Go, but this is Keyshia’s moment and she takes it. Plus she gives newcomer and Bay Area native Amina a chance at some major exposure, now that’s reppin’ your hometown.

Just Like You also provides a number of slow ballads to comfort anyone currently plowing through a gallon of ice cream to get over a bad breakup. Losing You mixes electronic percussion with a soft piano line perfect for Keyshia to explain just how a good relationship falls apart. It also proves she knows how to get down without beating people over the head with the power of her voice. That’s the mark of an experienced singer, a category Losing You partner Anthony Hamilton also belongs in. Even more revealing is the title song Just Like You. The track’s more declaration than song, showing Cole has fully embraced her status as a role model for women. She’s talking to her fans when she sings, “I wanna be the one/who you can depend on.” After more than an hour of listening Keyshia overcome a broken heart I was desperate for a happy song, just one “I’m in love and it’s great” song, but what I want doesn’t really matter. If I had a daughter I’d want her listening to Just Like You, and I don’t know if I can pay Keyshia Cole a better compliment than that.

Reviewed by: by Nathan S.

Call Keyshia Cole a triple threat. Her voice has the flexible range of pop, the muscular punch of soul and the hard character of hip hop.

Small wonder Cole’s 2005 debut, “The Way It Is,” made her one of the biggest breakout stars of the year in the genre that blurs all three styles: R&B.

It didn’t hurt that Cole’s songs subverted commercial R&B’s monochromatic melodies at every turn (translation: she’s one of few genre stars who never tried to sound like R. Kelly).

On Cole’s crucial followup CD, “Just Like You,” out today, it’s less the songs that impress than the timbre and tone of her voice. Too many ballads bog things down in the CD’s midsection. And there’s no cut as instantly anthemic as early blasts of exasperation like “I Just Want It to Be Over” and “I Should Have Cheated.” Yet Cole retains a vocal sound like no other.

There’s a smoky flavor, and a husky texture, to her voice that never weighs down the melody the way darker-hued vocals can. More, there’s a bravado to her character that still leaves room for an ache.

Cole needs both sides of her character to reflect the songs’ content. Again, they’re odes to romantic ruin and psychic turbulence, drawn from Cole’s tough upbringing.

The singer grew up in the diciest part of Oakland, one of seven children born to a drug-addicted mother. After rocky experiences with the foster care system, she went to live on her own by age 17.

Luckily, Cole funneled her frustration into ambition, seeking out local stars of the time, like Hammer and Tupac, to cut various toe-in-the-water demos.

Her long-delayed debut CD earned her comparisons to a young Mary J. Blige, if only for her, shall we say, well-defended character. The role serves her well on “Just Like You.”

The scratch in Cole’s voice shows experience and edge, especially in songs like “Fallin’ Out” or “Give Me More.” The latter has a dynamic beat and a thin horizon-line of strings that suggests equal parts possibility and danger.

I wish Cole picked up the pace more, and found tunes as unbeatable as those on her debut. But the better ones have enough flair to get by.

And when Cole lets you hear the catch in her throat on “I Remember,” you’ll have one in yours, too.

Music Review by: Jim Farber