Released: June 21, 2005
Genre: R&B ∙ hip hop soul
Label: A&M ∙ Interscope
Producer: Ron Fair ∙ Kerry Brothers ∙ Gregory G. Curtis ∙ Deisel ∙ E-Poppi ∙ Damon Elliott ∙ Sean Garrett ∙ Tal Herzberg ∙ Loren Hill ∙ Mix ∙ Polow da Don ∙ Chink Santana ∙ Rich Shelton ∙ Toxic ∙ Kevin Veney ∙ Kanye West
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2005 was an amazing year for music. In the R&B world, we had classic albums like Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi, Mary J. Blige’s The Breakthrough. Jamie Foxx’s Unpredictable, Faith Evans’ The First Lady, Tweet’s It’s Me Again and so many more amazing SOLID R&B records. But it was the debut album of an Oakland, CA native named Keyshia Cole, that set the summer of 2005 on FIRE!!!!!
Prior to 2005, Keyshia formed alliances with people like Tupac Shakur (who passed away before he could help jump start her career,) MC Hammer, Messy Mary & D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone. In 2002, she was introduced to the A&R of A&M Records (Ron Fair,) and the rest was history. Before the release of her first album, Keyshia was featured on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Biker Boyz (titled Get Up,) and Snoop Dogg’s hit single Let’s Get Blown in 2004, which featured Pharrell Williams.
Keyshia’s debut album was titled The Way It Is, and was released on June 21, 2005 by A&M Records. The Way It Is, is a R&B masterpiece. Like I completely mean it. We needed a newer artist that I felt like we could identify with when it comes to our frustrations with love, heartbreak and pain, and not just in relationships. Keyshia was and is authentic. She comes from the HOOD and has never had to change her image to be a superstar.
After the things that she’s experienced throughout life (a mother who struggled with addiction, went into the foster care system, etc) Keyshia using music as an outlet to overcome pain and achieve success is always going to be a success story period. Many music critics compared Keyshia’s album to the likes of fe I feel like Keyshia is worthy of being called a R&B icon off of this sole album ALONE, and I’ll argue you down about it!
The Way It Is peaked at number 2 and number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip -Hop Albums and the Billboard 200 charts respectively with first-week sales of 89,000 copies..becoming one of the ten biggest selling albums in R&B that year. The album launched Keyshia’s career in R&B music, and was nominated for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Female R&B/Soul Album. The album eventually went on to sell over a million copies, and was certified platinum by the RIAA.
(I Just Want It) To Be Over
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Kerry Brothers Jr. ∙ Taneisha Greenidge ∙ Alicia Keys
The album opens with (I Just Want It) To Be Over, which was released as the second single on the album. Lyrically, the song describes the singer being fed up with her significant other. Produced by Kerry “Krucial” Brothers, the hip hop soul record had moderate success on the R&B charts…peaking at number 30.
I Changed My Mind
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ John Legend ∙ Kanye West
I Changed My Mind is a SONGGGGGGGGGG! Released as the lead single, I Changed My Mind is a song lyrically about Keyshia telling a story of how a girl (I think the song is told in third person from the beginning) is fed up with how the man she would do any and everything for doesn’t shower her with the love she deserves. Produced by Kanye West, a remix to the song was released featuring the rapper Shyne. I Changed My Mind was a hit on the UK R&B charts, peaking at number 9, and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
***I Changed My Mind contains samples of The Chronic (Intro) by Dr. Dre & Get Out of My Life, Woman by Solomon Burke.
Love, I Thought You Had My Back
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Randolph Murph ∙ Ralph Eskridge ∙ Clarence Johnson Jr ∙ Frederick Taylor
Love, I Thought You Had My Back is a SONGGGGGGG!!! A TOP TIER ONE AT THAT. Lyrically, the song has the singer singing about the toxicity that’s existing in a relationship where she blatantly ignores the red flags, but has a hard time moving on because of the power of love.
***Love, I Thought You Had My Back contains a sample of Love Jones by Brighter Side of Darkness.
I Should Have Cheated
Written by Daron Jones ∙ Quinnes “Q” Parker
I Should Have Cheated was the song that made Keyshia a household name. Released as the third single from the album, I Should Have Cheated is lyrically about the singer being accused of having an affair, while simultaneously being suspicious of him cheating on her. She thinks that she might as well have actually gone out and actually cheated if the accusations were going to go this far. I Should Have Cheated is considered to be Keyshia’s most signature records. The song peaked in the top 5 on the R&B charts, peaking at number 4.
Guess What (featuring Jadakiss)
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Sean Garrett ∙ Jason Phillips ∙ Alexandre Da Veiga
Guess What is a collaboration with the legendary rapper Jadakiss, and is lyrically about being fed up with the shenanigans and leaving the cheating, lying significant other. Jadakiss’ verse tells the significant other’s perspective, where he shows some accountability for his role in how things are between them. I actually play this song a LOT when I’m over men and their bullshit lol.
***Guess What contains samples of Crossword Puzzle by Sly Stone & Best of My Love by The Emotions.
Love
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Gregory G. Curtis
Love has been added to the hall of fame of classic R&B records of all time, and rightfully so! Released as the fourth and final single from the album, Love is Keyshia’s signature song due to her iconic vocal cry on the record. The song also became Keyshia’s first commercially successful hit, peaking in the top 3 on the R&B charts..and top twenty hit on the pop charts.
You’ve Changed
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Ron Fair ∙ Leonard Huggins ∙ Rich Shelton
You’ve Changed is one of Keyshia’s deep CUTS okay!!! Like when I say to you, it’s one of my favorite R&B songs of all time. Lyrically, it tackles the feeling you get when the one you love switches up when they get money. The classic tale of the man out here doing him while the girl is at home, thinking and wondering where did things go wrong.
***You’ve Changed contains a sample of Song Cry by Jay-Z and Sounds Like A Love Song by Bobby Glenn.
We Could Be
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Errol McCalla Jr.
We Could Be is another CUT from the album that I love so much. Lyrically, the song is about what could come of a friendship that is potentially going to blossom to something more serious. A real R&B ballad.
Situations (featuring Chink Santana)
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Francesca Richards ∙ Andre Parker
Featuring Chink Santana, Situations has the singer telling her friend who she has feelings for that she wants to “ruin the friendship,” and see where things can go…despite him dealing with another woman. Chile, that is DEFINITELY a situation.
Down and Dirty
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Gregory G. Curtis ∙ Damon Elliott
Down and Dirty is my SHITTTTTTTTT, okay! I love everything about this song from the production to the vocal arrangements honey! Keyshia had time.
Superstar (featuring Metro City)
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ G. Cole
Superstar is another underrated record from Keyshia, that features Metro City.
***Superstar contains a sample of Supastar by Blazin’ Squad.
Never (featuring Eve)
Written by Keyshia Cole ∙ Eve Jeffers ∙ Luther Vandross
The album closes with Keyshia’s debut single Never, which featured the legendary rapper Eve. The song was also released on the soundtrack to Barbershop 2: Back in Business, peaking at number 71.
***Never contains a sample of Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much.
The Way It Is was our first introduction to Keyshia Cole, and has since gone on to be commercially successful with subsequent albums…but it’s always nice to go back to the OG days where Keyshia had the red hair just giving us timeless R&B records (YES I SAID TIMELESS). Keyshia remains one of my favorites because of this album lone. You had to be THERE! The Way It Is is a masterpiece, and y’all better get into it! -MW.
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