After a flashy artistic introduction on the movie monitors, Keyshia Cole took the stage at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington, DC to an enthusiastic crowd of mostly female concertgoers who came to hear her sing her brand of 'keepin' it real' R&B hits.
The Oakland-bred singer, who hit the scene in 2005 with her debut 'The Way It Is,' donned ripped blue jeans, a white tank top and black jacket as she kicked off her show with her first single, 'I Changed My Mind.'
As the crowd stood on the their feet, Cole begin to run straight through hits like 'I Should Have Cheated,' 'Give Me More' and the infectious ballad, 'I Remember.'
The 27-year-old singer, who invokes the almost-ready-for-church theatrics of Mary J. Blige while performing, spent little time talking as she continued her set with songs like 'Got To Get My Heart Back' and 'Shoulda Let You Go.'
On the latter song, Cole was joined by her protégé, rapper Amina – who bares a striking resemblance to rapper Babs Bunny from Diddy's Da Band. Amina assisted the singer on 'Shoulda Let You Go' before performing two solo songs of her own.
Cole returned to the stage in a purple sequin dress and performed 'Let It Go,' with Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim delivering their cameos via video monitor.
She then emerged from a giant speaker box rolled out onstage, before flipping it around and posing Pussycat Dolls-style in its bright pink opening on 'Didn't I Tell You.'
The audience erupted again as the intro to the Diddy duet 'Last Night' began to play. The Bad Boy Entertainment mogul made a virtual appearance on the video monitors as well.
Cole worked the staircase on the multilevel brick and white set while performing 'Heaven Sent.'
She fol
lowed that song with her signature ballad 'Love,' the song that gave every brush-in-the-mirror-tone-deaf-fan the hope that they could immolate Cole's repetitious run on the chorus: 'I found a-ound a-ound a-ound a-ound!'
Leaving the stage for another wardrobe change, Cole's two background singers came forward to offer two shockingly good renditions of Chaka Khan's 'Ain't Nobody' and 'Sweet Thing' respectively. Both singers were lauded with thunderous ovations from the audience, significantly larger than the applause breaks Cole herself had received throughout the night.
Wearing a gold beaded mini-dress, Cole returned to the stage to perform 'Please Don't Stop' and recent single, the awkwardly arranged 'You Complete Me.'
Next up was the song 'Trust,' which features R&B veteran Monica on the recorded version.
Cole then introduced her posthumous Tupac Shakur collaboration, 'Playa Cardz Right.'
"I don't want to say n--a, but he's one of the realest n-as I ever met," Cole offered, before starting the song.
After closing her set with 'Make Me Over,' Cole told the crowd: "Yes I am from the 'hood, but I'm a work in progress and I hope to continue to grow. Thank y'all for supporting me and I love y'all for that."
Overall Cole's 'A Different Me Tour' is a solid show with great staging and live music production.
Vocally, Cole is no Jennifer Hudson or Beyonce Knowles so in the words of 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson, she gets a 'bit pitchy' here and there.
But honestly, her core demographic isn't coming for vocal acrobatics – they just love them some Keyshia Cole!
The singer, who starred in her own BET reality series 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is' for three seasons, is joined on the road by with opening acts The Dream, Keri Hilson and Bobby Valentino.
The tour will play dates through June in cities like Baltimore, Richmond, Memphis, Houston and Los Angeles before wrapping on June 21 in Las Vegas.
Black Music Notes Mar. 19
3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'
Getty Images
3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'
Jemal Countess, WireImage
3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.
Evening Standard / Getty Images
3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
Santiago Llanquin / AP
3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.
Zomba
3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.
Gilbert Carrasquillo, FilmMagic
3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'
Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images
Comments: (10)
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By: "DimePiece" on 5/31/2009 12:03AM
I like the new hair style, but as far look the outfit she had on in the above pic the style was nice but it looked a lil too short on her? I'm sure she gave the fans what they wanted, a good performance! She is talented, beautiful, humble, loving, and such a caring person. She is totally the opposite of her family, fo sure. I wish her lots of success and happiness!
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By: Marlene on 6/02/2009 11:23AM
I am a huge Keyshia Cole fan from back years ago. My girl has grown and I love it. Keyshia has a realness I have not seen since MJB. I saw her concert it took me almost a week to come down off the high on the real. The sets the clothes, the dancing, she is so talented, OH the SINGING was GREAT!!!!! I love Keyshia Cole forever!! I wish her and her family the best I still pray for you daily GOD Bless Keyshia Cole
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By: Neffe on 5/31/2009 10:02AM
um. i dont like the way yall trying to say about keyshia and her show. she is on beyonce's level first of all so i find that funny u would even say that shit. she killed her show and im not sure if you notice but everybody at her shows the whole crowd always sings along and give standing ovations. she is keyshia cole and either way your shitty ass blog about her isnt going to equal her pay checks so keep trying and hate because really you wasting your time please try again. THIS BLOG FAILED
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By: lmg on 1/29/2010 7:31PM
Randy can have his own opinion. However (to me), K Cole is a far better singer than Beyonce. The only reason why Beyonce doesn't sound pitchy is due to the fact that she stays within a limited vocal range-- even in slow melodies where she is not dancing. Unlike Bey, K Cole has a much stronger projection. Therefore, I would put Keyshia more so on the level of J Hudson -- not the other way around.
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By: ren on 6/01/2009 1:27PM
am been keyshia fan frm day. Her voice is so amazing not only dat she is so real. I think she has grown alot shes even dancing, i think she will b in this music busness for a very long time. I really want her to come down london. she got my vote fot the bet awards
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By: Corey on 6/01/2009 4:47PM
I like K. Cole and I think she has grown alot since her debut, however, I don't think that she will ever be on J-Hud's level as a singer. Other than that, judging from her reality show she seems like a real cool person to be around. She does not act stuck up or think that she is better than anyone and she tries to keep her family together, despite their mishaps.
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By: V on 6/13/2009 11:38PM
Frankly, all of them (Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Keyshia Cole could use constant voice lessons). I don't think Jennifer Hudson is that great of singer live. Beyonce has had alot of vocal training and Keyshia Cole should stick to songs that will allow her voice to shine for example her song "I Remember" on her 2nd album, was excellent.
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By: ashley on 6/16/2009 11:51PM
beyonce sounds awesome the whole 2 hour performance of her singing AND dancing so there is a difference. Keyshia and her are two different singers and I like them both but Beyonce is the better performer.
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By: KHADIJA on 6/20/2009 4:18AM
I AM UPSET WITH THE KEYSHIA COLE CONCERT IN SAN DIEGO FIRST OF ALL WE DID NOT GET A FULL PERFORMANCE THE SHOW WAS SUPPOSE TO START AT 8PM AND IT DID NOT START TIL 9PM AND IT ONLY LASTED FOR 1 HOUR EXACTLY WE DID NOT GET A PRE-SHOW OF ANY OTHER ACTS LIKE THE-DREAM, OR KERI HILSON LIKE OTHER CITIES DID BUT YET OUR TICKETS COST THE SAME... I REALLY WAS A BIG FAN BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ME SPENDIN I WANT TO GET MY MONEYS WORTH AND THIS TIME I DIDN'T
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By: 2sweet on 6/22/2009 12:17PM
First of all Keyshia is the lick no matter what any body says. Much love to her and with all her hard work and dedication she deserves the best. The show in LA was off the hook. I feel that I got a hell of a lot more than I payed for. Keri Hilson and Ther Dream where there but... big deal? (Don't mean to offend anyone) However, there was much more to be had, there was an all star cast to include, Nas, Too Short, Lil Kim, Monica, and Puffy. This concert was the shit, Keyshia is the shit and it was all proven by the plaque she was given to honor her triple platinum career. Love ya Keyshia, Keep doin what you do!
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