June 27, 2005 @ 9:48 am

Keyshia Cole Strolls Down Memory Lane

by: Alisha Flemming

With the hit single “I Changed My Mind” under her belt and her latest single, “I Just Want it to be Over” (produced by Krucial Keys), already garnering attention, 22 year old R&B singer Keyshia Cole is primed to have a successful year. Vibe.com caught up with Keyshia in Los Angeles, where she discussed her MC Hammer days and the possible future of her being, surprisingly, a veterinarian.

You’ve had a long road to get to where you’re at. Is it true that you started with MC Hammer back in the day?

I cannot get away from that question. Would I say started? I worked with him. I started before him.

How old were you when you started?

Seven. Me and my best friend formed a group. Our brothers used to watch us and they used to go rapping in the other room. [My friend] came up with the big idea to form our own group.

Wow, so you had a dream in second grade?

Exactly.

Since you’ve had such a long road to travel, you must’ve experienced many challenges. How do you think they affected your career?

They definitely keep you on your toes. You know it’s like going through a bad situation with somebody. After you go through that bad situation, you learn from it hopefully, and you know what not to go through again. The things that I did go through prepared me to not go through them in the future.

Speaking of going through bad situations, a few years ago you caught your boyfriend cheating on you, you moved and that led to your record deal. Can you tell a little more about that?

I came home and he was cheating on me so I decided to get in my car and drive to L.A. and leave him.

Where did you go?

What hotel was that? I forgot the name of it. I think it’s called the Hollywood Hotel or something like that. It’s right there on Sunset. It’s a real nasty hotel. I paid like $50 a night. ‘Cause I didn’t know anybody, I didn’t have anywhere else to stay.

How many of your songs were influenced by your real life since so many are about love and love gone wrong?

Not all of them are about love gone wrong. Just the singles are. (Laughs) I don’t know why I be writing like that.

So you write most of your songs?

Yeah, I wrote 85 percent of the album.

What’s the significance of your cross, heart, and star tattoo?

Just faith, love, and me.

You would never kiss a guy for a video unless you know him. Why?

I couldn’t do that. I know too many cute guys that I would like to be in my video for me to kiss someone I don’t know.

Do you have some favorite songs off this album?

I got “You Changed,” “I Changed My Mind.” I got “Love.” I got “We Can Be.” “Situations” is one of my favorites and the new single. There’s a lot of songs on there that I like. I like them all, really. But those are my favorite.

What’s next for you?

I just did a song with Redman. It’s going to be a single. We’re shooting that video… I’m starting a new tour.

Play psychic for a little bit. Look into your crystal ball. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I definitely see myself owning a couple of houses. Maybe three. And definitely move my momma into a house like everybody wants to do when they get money. Just coming up with some new stuff and enhancing my skills as a writer. I’m definitely going to start taking some courses to get my license to become a veterinarian.

Really?

Yeah. If I don’t have time, I’ll just buy a bunch of hospitals and hire people.

Article tags: Keyshia Cole, West Coast, Shyne, MC Hammer