Twenty years ago, Keyshia Cole changed the face of R&B with the release of her emotionally raw, soul-stirring debut album, The Way It Is. Now, in a full-circle moment that fans have been waiting for, the Grammy-nominated “Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B” is celebrating the album’s legacy with a 20th Anniversary Tour — and for the first time since 2005, the groundbreaking record is back on vinyl.
Available now via A&M/UMe, the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Way It Is is being released as a double LP on classic black vinyl and a stunning Rose Garden Pink translucent version. The collector’s edition features a gatefold sleeve with photos from the original CD release and includes a special bonus track: “Love (Acapella).” This re-release is more than nostalgic; it’s a powerful reminder of Keyshia Cole’s impact on a generation and her lasting influence on the R&B landscape.
“I’m so grateful to be celebrating The Way It Is 20 years later with the fans who have been with me since day one,” says Cole. “This album changed my life, and being able to take it on the road — from city to city, country to country — is truly a full circle moment, and a blessing.”
The celebration goes beyond vinyl. Starting July 1 in Baltimore, Keyshia Cole is hitting the road for a North American arena tour presented by AEG Presents and Free Lunch. The tour will stop in major cities like Brooklyn, Atlanta, New Orleans, Detroit, and Houston before wrapping up August 8 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. From there, she heads to Europe for an international leg with shows in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and more — bringing her heartfelt anthems to fans across the globe.
From her Dreamville Festival performance in Raleigh to this new global journey, Cole’s mission remains the same: connect through truth, pain, and growth. Whether it’s the haunting honesty of “I Should Have Cheated” or the timeless vulnerability of “Love,” the music remains a soul-deep soundtrack for life’s most pivotal moments.
Why Keyshia Cole’s 20th Anniversary Moment Matters:
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Cultural Legacy: The Way It Is introduced a raw, emotional storytelling style that influenced an entire wave of R&B artists.
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Vinyl Rebirth: The limited edition reissue brings back the album’s original magic with an added bonus for die-hard fans and collectors.
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Global Connection: The anniversary tour is not just U.S.-based — it spans continents, proving her global influence and fan devotion.
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Live Collaborations: The tour features R&B powerhouses like Tink, Jeremih, SWV, Lil’ Kim, and more — creating a true celebration of the genre.
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Timeless Relevance: Keyshia’s lyrics, rooted in self-worth, heartbreak, and empowerment, remain as resonant today as they did in 2005.
Keyshia Cole’s rise from Oakland streets to R&B stardom is a testament to resilience and realness. With more than 15 million albums sold worldwide and four Grammy nominations under her belt, her story is still being written — and this tour is another bold, beautiful chapter. From BET reality stardom to chart-topping albums and her talk show One on One with Keyshia Cole on Fox Soul, she has proven that authenticity never goes out of style.
As The Way It Is turns 20, both the vinyl release and the tour remind fans new and old why Keyshia Cole remains one of the most influential voices in music. Get ready to revisit the soundtrack of heartbreak, healing, and hope — live, in living color.
