INTERVIEW: Keyshia Cole On Living Her Life Out Loud, Trusting Love Again, Celebrating Her Career + More

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club — Interview with Keyshia Cole

Episode Details:

Title: INTERVIEW: Keyshia Cole On Living Her Life Out Loud, Trusting Love Again, Celebrating Her Career + More
Host: The Breakfast Club (DJ Envy, Just Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God)
Guest: Keyshia Cole
Release Date: May 29, 2025

1. Celebrating 20 Years in Music

Keyshia Cole Reflects on Her Journey

The episode kicks off with the hosts congratulating Keyshia Cole on the 20th anniversary of her debut album. Keyshia expresses profound gratitude towards her fans and the opportunity to embark on a commemorative tour.

Keyshia Cole [00:40]: "I'm appreciative of the fans and them supporting."

She reminisces about her past persona, describing herself 20 years ago as someone who "wrecked rooms" and was "just fighting." However, she emphasizes her personal growth and evolution over the years.

Keyshia Cole [00:59]: "Wrecking rooms, boy, just bashing TV hoods, baby. Just fighting. Just crazy, just insane."

2. Personal Growth and Overcoming Past Personas

Embracing Change and Maturity

Keyshia discusses how she has matured, especially after becoming a mother. She contrasts her past rebelliousness with her current focus on family and personal development.

Keyshia Cole [01:35]: "I didn't want to like, you know, go to jail and never get to see them again. So I mean, you have to make life-altering decisions."

She highlights the transformation from "Keisha Remy Mama" to a more grounded individual committed to her children and personal well-being.

3. Family Dynamics and Healing

Navigating Relationships and Loss

A significant portion of the conversation delves into Keyshia's relationship with her mother and the impact of her passing. She shares heartfelt memories and the challenges of maintaining family unity.

Keyshia Cole [09:15]: "She never made me feel unloved. You never judged me... God is going to bless you for that."

Keyshia reflects on her efforts to bring her siblings together in honor of her mother, expressing frustration over unresolved tensions within the family.

Keyshia Cole [16:17]: "And that's why it took so long to bury my mother, because a lot of my brothers and sisters would not come together."

4. Breaking Generational Curses

Aspiring for Unity and Healing

Keyshia speaks passionately about her role in breaking negative cycles within her family and community. She aspires to foster reconciliation and mutual respect among her siblings to honor her mother's legacy.

Keyshia Cole [16:17]: "To me, a successful generational curse breaking would be everyone getting along, everyone coming together cohesively and making things work."

5. Misconceptions and Public Perception

Clarifying Her True Self

Addressing rumors and public misconceptions, Keyshia denies being portrayed as mean or having a bad attitude. She emphasizes that people often misinterpret her actions, especially during high-stress moments like live performances.

Keyshia Cole [02:44]: "The misconception... that I'm really mean, that I'm nasty, that I got a bad attitude, I'm a whatever."

She recounts a specific incident where her emotions were misread during a performance with Ashanti, clarifying that technical issues and personal frustrations were misinterpreted as tension between them.

Keyshia Cole [19:09]: "I was so mad, like, so pissed, and... it came off as, like, I was being unappreciative of the moment, which I wasn't."

6. Music Legacy and Generational Impact

Transcending Time with Her Music

Keyshia proudly discusses the enduring legacy of her music, noting how her songs resonate across different generations. She shares admiration for mentors like Stevie Wonder, who recognized her as a generational figure.

Keyshia Cole [14:55]: "Stevie Wonder told me this. He said, you are to your generation what we were to your parents."

7. Love Life and Trusting Again

Navigating Relationships Post-Heartbreak

Transitioning to her personal life, Keyshia reveals that she is currently single and not actively seeking to date. She expresses a cautious optimism about trusting love again, acknowledging past heartbreaks but maintaining hope for the future.

Keyshia Cole [25:55]: "I hope not. Yeah."

She discusses the balance between being open to love and focusing on her career and family, indicating that while she remains a romantic at heart, she is prioritizing self-care and her fans.

Keyshia Cole [27:26]: "...it’s not about love right now. It’s about my fans."

8. Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

Looking Ahead in Her Career

Keyshia hints at ongoing and future musical projects, including collaborations with contemporary artists like Glowrilla. She reflects on her continued passion for music despite the challenges of the industry.

Keyshia Cole [42:17]: "I did Kalani. I did that record with Kehlani. I did do a record with Huncho. I just got in the studio with Trippie Redd."

9. Addressing Public Criticism and Self-Worth

Maintaining Confidence Amidst Noise

When prompted about maintaining her sense of self amidst public criticism, Keyshia emphasizes the importance of staying true to herself and not letting others' opinions dictate her happiness.

Keyshia Cole [34:20]: "Above all of this is what that is. It's like, you're above all of this. You're above. You're greater than everything that's happening in your life right now."

She shares strategies for dealing with negativity, including focusing on her personal goals and the support from her fanbase.

10. Emotional Moments and Fan Support

Expressing Gratitude and Vulnerability

The interview concludes with Keyshia sharing an emotional moment from her last tour concert, where she cried while thanking her fans. She clarifies that her tears were about the overwhelming support from her audience, not personal issues.

Keyshia Cole [35:18]: "It was actually the last show of the last tour. And that was my first arena tour that I prayed for... I was crying, my fans being there for me."

She appreciates moments where influential artists like Usher publicly show support, reinforcing her connection with the music community.

Keyshia Cole [35:55]: "I was so sweet for that."

Notable Quotes:

Keyshia Cole [00:40]: "I'm appreciative of the fans and them supporting."
Keyshia Cole [09:15]: "She never made me feel unloved. You never judged me."
Keyshia Cole [16:17]: "To me, a successful generational curse breaking would be everyone getting along."
Keyshia Cole [25:55]: "I hope not. Yeah."
Keyshia Cole [34:20]: "You're above all of this. You're greater than everything that's happening in your life right now."

Conclusion: Keyshia Cole's candid and heartfelt conversation on The Breakfast Club underscores her journey of personal growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her music and family. She transparently addresses past struggles, clarifies public misconceptions, and shares her hopeful outlook for the future, both personally and professionally. Her enduring legacy and commitment to breaking negative cycles resonate deeply, offering inspiration to listeners who may be navigating similar paths.