The Way it Really Was
The Way it Really Was
Now seen as one of the biggest musical artists in the Rhythm and Blues genre of today’s music, Keyshia Cole was not always living the high life. She comes from Oakland California, and as discussed by a website set up by Common Sense Media, she has a family history of alcohol and drug abuse. She was abandoned by her mother at a young age, and grew up out of touch with the majority of her siblings. Her music became her refuge, and means of escape from the world she lived in. Reported by Answers Corporation, she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her and decided it was a better time than ever to pack up and move to Los Angeles where her career really took off. Her debut album, released in mid year 2005 was a portrait of that period of her life.
She bares her soul with this album, showing great courage and integrity. She immediately wins her fans over with her tell-all songs, which she, in many interviews confesses all of the lyrics as being personal and true. She starred in a reality show based around her life and struggle in the music industry. In one episode when Keyshia is sitting with teenagers at a group home for those that have ran away from home, or been abandoned by their parents, she tells them about the realities of her upbringing and life. She said, “I’m not a star. The stuff I been through in my life, I can’t be a star. I’m a survivor.” She could barely get through her sentence without crying. This honesty and willingness to share her life story with the fans of her music would slowly become the theme of her career as she steadfastly becomes a more than popular name to many. A lot of musical artists as with entertainers try their best to stray away from the spot light of the media in their everyday personal lives, but Keyshia on the other hand does the exact opposite.
Have you ever been hurt by your boyfriend, or thought someone loved you when they didn’t? In this album, she plays upon your heart strings, and through every word you are brought right back to those feelings you once had, all while rebuilding your self esteem and mending your broken heart back together. With her rough and soulful voice, she sings the words of your darkest moments, and shows you that there is room to love again. You are pulled in by her catchy hooks, and even more memorable lyrics.
Just by glancing over the song titles you can infer on your own just what the album consists of. You never have to guess when first listening to the song; what you see is what you get. For instance, I believe it is safe to say that track number four is going to tell a story of how she was so faithful to her boyfriend, but then realized that she should have cheated on him, it is rightfully titled “I Should Have Cheated.” Although I have no problem with the song titles characterizing exactly what is going to be the main topic of discussion, in this day and age everything is about ambiguity. Everyone wants to guess, be surprised and amazed, but for those who like it simple, this quality will put you at ease.
The strength in her voice is a sound unlike any that has been heard in quite some time, which many compare to the very soulful Mary J Blidge. Keyshia told Essence Magazine in an interview conducted in 2007, “I feel like we are very similar based on everything we’ve been through in our personal lives. It’s helped make us sing the way we sing.” It is not just what she sings, but how it sounds that leaves the lasting memory of her in your mind after the songs are long turned off. Sometimes with artists, you can turn on their songs and mistake them for someone else, but all of the songs on her album have such a distinct sound and texture to them, you know it must be her. Song number seven, “Love,” is the best representation of her ability to really move in and out of the different ranges of her voice, showing off this soulful tone she has become synonymous with.
Although her voice is beautiful, it seems that at times the actual songs seem to down play the very quality of her voice. For those interested and look at the total package of an album may be turned away after a while, being that it shows little versatility and complexity in the actual variety of instruments and beats that were used. They seem mediocre and an attempt at creating something great. When listening to her music one would not think to say that those who laid down the foundation have failed, they will say she did, which is something that all new artists may face when recording their first album.
The arrangement of songs on her album leaves you on this high of mixed feelings, but yet, at the same time, each song taps into a new emotion, a new feeling, while telling a tale of love. She starts off by proclaiming to the world how she just wants the relationship she’s in “To be Over,” which is actually the title of the first track on the album. In her next song she talks about how she’s changing her mind and doesn’t want to be with her boyfriend anymore. In this particular song, “Changed my Mind,” she actually collaborated with a world known musical artist as well as producer, and record label owner, Kanye West. He gave her the hip hop edge that helped dramatically boost her career and fan base. This is more of an urban street anthem for women transitioning from feeling inadequate in the eyes of their companions, into independence and liberation.
She sought the help of major musical figures such as rap superstar Jadakiss and underground artist Chink Santana. Sean Garrett, referred to by many as The Pen lent a helping hand in the creative process as well, assisting with the writing of a song titled “Guess What.” He is a well known song writer and producer who has been nominated for four Grammy Awards and written smash hits for artist such as Chris Brown, Usher, Beyonce, and Britney Spears (Vibe). His talent is one so versatile and unique that it adds a great up tempo flair to the album that you may not know is there.
She rounds off the album with songs speaking of a new love interest in her life, which seems predictable; every story has to have a perfect ending right? She steals the sample of an old time classic “Never Too Much” by the late great singer Luther Vandross, for the last song on her album, which features a female hip hop artist that many are familiar with by now: Eve. The new trend that is being picked up by many is the sampling and mixing of “oldie” classics, and turning then into new school hits, which she did. She earns, major credibility by making use of this song that was dear to many hearts in its time.
She is establishing herself as a figure in R&B music that will be around for a time to come. You can turn on any song from this album, and expect for most females listening to know every single word. It can definitely be labeled as a work in progress, but it stands as one of the best albums of 2005.
Work Cited:
Common Sense Media Inc. 2008. ISL Consulting Company. 28 April. 2008. <http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/Keyshia-Cole-Way-It.html>.
Amber, Jeannine. “Keyshia Cole: Soul Survivor.” 2008. Essence Communications Inc.
28 April. 2008. <http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1659764,00.html>
Birchmeier, Jason. 2008. Answers Corporation. 28 April. 2008
< http://www.answers.com/topic/keyshia-cole?cat=entertainment>
Vibe. 23 May. 2006. Vibe Media Group Inc. 7 May. 2008
<http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2006/05/sean_garrett_the_future/>
Baehler, Chapman. 2006. PLONG. 8 May. 2008.
<http://www.plong.com/page_pid_85_release_39301_lang_3.aspx>
Peer Review Draft for the 3rd Essay
Here is my Peer Review Draft of the Critical Review Essay along with my coversheet, and Questions for my peers about my essay. currie-123
Invention Activity
In this essay I will Critique an Album by Keyshia Cole, an R&B artist. I want to not only present my opinion and why i liked the album, but also touch on topics a lot of people can relate to. I want to refer from time to time on about two to three songs and tell what I did or did not like about it and support it with details. As I was going through my Invention Activity process, I couldn’t help but feel limited in what I could talk about. I felt that maybe I should change my subject matter, but then I though about writers who actually have to do this for a living, and I realized that it can be done, and this would just be a good challenge for my writing abilities.
In Search of Me
Today I was feeling a little down and decided that the best way to clear my mind was to at least get out what I was feeling. Sometimes when I feel depressed about certain things, I feel that I do not have anyone to talk to, so I decided to write about what I was feeling. Usually I write down everything on paper until my hand grows tire, then rip it up. I feel such a release when I do this, but today I decided why not allow the feeling to always exists, so that I can come back to it one day and see the progress I’ve made. So I posted my feelings in my blog. When I finished writing, I didn’t forget about the problem, but I didn’t feel as sad about it. I struggle with opening up a lot and this helped me, because it is viewable by everyone. I am in a way allowing people into places where I myself have trouble going. I am trying my best to deal with my problems in a more healthy way, and I think this was a huge step in the right direction
Sometimes I feel out of place, like I do not belong here. All my life I’ve always felt worthy and deserved of the many positive things that came my way, but now I am not so sure. In the back of my mind I always knew I was going to go to college, but as I sit in classes now I feel like I do not belong. I don’t feel smart enough, even though my grades speak otherwise. I feel like I am reaching for something that is too far out of my reach. I don’t want to be like the people that I see when I go home. I want to make more of myself, but most of all I want to be happy. I feel so pulled in different directions; there are so many things that I want to do that I get confused and often give up because I see no light as I struggle through this tunnel called life. Knowing not of what tomorrow brings is treasured by many, but it scares me. Not knowing what could happen to me or where my life is going to end up scares me so much to the point I give up sometimes. I never want to become a person that my friends and family look at one day and feel distant from. I always want to be an inspiration for everyone. Where I come from you are at times criticized for achieving success, and that too holds me back. I feel like if I reach too high and achieve too much, I won’t fit in at home. Sometimes I feel like who am I to Succeed? I fight with fleeing from all of these things that hold me back and keep me running in place. Sometimes I don’t feel like I have anyone I can go to and talk about these things, so I write.
This Weeks Posts: 4/15/08- 4/22/08
Doing my Share: 407
Dear Tiasia: 357
Dear Tiasia…advice to Another: 398
In Search of Me: 511
Total Word Count: 1,673
Dear Tiasia…advice to Another**
Dear Tiasia,
I don’t know whether or not it is a good thing to hold back and be shy with my boyfriend, or should I let go. It is so easy for them to be comfortable and loose around females. Should I be more reserved, or just bare it all. For example I have a very big laugh, and if I find something funny and we are on the telephone, I go all the way, but in person I hold back so much. I even find it hard to walk in front of him. We’ve been dating for exactly five months next week Tuesday, and I feel like I should be at the point where I am comfortable but I don’t think I am.
Yours truly,
Saraii
Dear Saraii,
Well this is a tricky one because it has mostly to do with you as a person, and just a little to do with your relationship with him. Have you always been shy? Growing up, were you ever insecure to the point of depression for any period of time? Are you comfortable with talking to a close friend of yours about things that affect you the most? If most of the answers to this question is yes, then you not being able to be yourself and comfortable around him is something you should evaluate from a personal stance. Maybe there are things in your life that have happened that have made you be a more reserved person than others. If you do not relate your life to these questions, then it could be just that you aren’t at that point yet. If the relationship is going good otherwise, then do not let this deteriorate what you all have built, but if you find months down the line that this is still a problem, then maybe you will never reach that point and it is best that you guys either split or try to work on the problem. It is essential to be comfortable around him. Try seeing each other more often then you do now. If you see him one time out the week, try making it two, this will double the time you spend together, and allow for more growth between you two. Don’t worry what you are experiencing is normal, but just try your best to relax around him, if you do nothing else.
Yours truly,
Tiasia
Dear Tiasia
Dear Tiasia.
I’m in a relationship right now, and everything seems like its going good. The only problem is, I am having difficulty distinguishing whether or not my boyfriend is trying to control me, or just giving me good advice. I feel like he has a cave man mentality. I believe that it should be a fifty fifty relationship, but the majority of the time I sort of feel like he is trying to control me. Am I wrong for not listening? I’m so confused at this point.
Yours truly,
Ms. Confused
Dear Miss Confused,
I see this problem often in relationships, and I myself have actually gone through a similar experience. If you make that decision to commit to someone and have the title of “boyfriend and “girlfriend”, then that person theoretically should be your best friend. And right or wrong, doesn’t your best friend give you advice when you need it …yes. Don’t shun him away when he is trying to give his opinion on certain things, sometimes he will give you the best advice, after all he is a male, and that will give you an opinion, from a different prospective. What you must look out for is key words and phrases that cross the line into control. Some of these words are: don’t; you better not; I don’t want you to; and you can’t, just to name a few. It is also the context in which these phrases are used in. Look at your everyday life and try to make note of things you do that you know are not wrong, if you find that he is making you change certain things in your life, or even giving you ultimatums on stuff you know is harmless, that’s when the light should go off in your head. I am not telling to make a mad dash for the exit door, but be cautious and do not feel bad when you go against what he has told you to do, after all, you are your own person, but keep in mind, you are in a relationship, and a relationship involves two parties.
Yours truly,
Tiasia
***Doing my Share***
Although what started off as a seemingly bad day, having thought I was going to be 15 minutes late to class, and actually rushing there out of breath and winded, only to find an empty classroom with the lights turned off, was looking up for me as I checked my email and learned that class had been cancelled. I walked out of the building and was making my way back to my dormitory, when a table set up with information booklets, and two people standing behind it, located in front of the library, caught my attention. I had earlier in the week received an email informing me that there was going to be a bone marrow donation station available on campus for those students who was interested. Of course I immediately clicked the delete button, and discarded the email from the front of my mind, and into a file located way in the back, set up as the annoying junk folder. Whatever it was that made me take notice today, I’m glad for it. I am now registered, and will still be, 65 years from now, as a possible donor for those in need of any marrow donation. The process was easy, and took me roughly ten minutes. Fist I was thanked for choosing to participate, and then given an information booklet to read through and fill out. After fully completing the booklet, a gentleman there gave me four individual long cotton swabs. I rubbed the top of the inside of my mouth, in the cheek area, with two, and did the same thing for the bottom as well. The information guy helping me told me that my tissue was going to be checked over, and if my blood type matched any in their system in need of a donor, I was going to be contacted. The National Marrow Donor Program is a well respected and widely known program that works with donors, patients, and doctors in helping people receive the help they need in living “longer and healthier lives.” After completing this I couldnt help but get a new sense of purpose, like even if they didnt call me back, in some way I helped out the world, by just signing up. I made an effort that some people woudnt even think about doing. This motivates me to continue to find ways, whether big or little, to be apart of heping the world I live in.
