originally published: 04/21/2025

Photo by Tayo Kuku Jr.

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Two decades after her breakthrough debut album changed the R&B game, Keyshia Cole is taking it back to where it all started. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and "Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B" has officially announced The Way It Is 20th Anniversary Tour, presented by AEG Presents and Free Lunch. The tour comes to the Prudential Center in Newark on Sunday, July 13, 2025 with Tink and Wale.

“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 blessing.”

The Way It Is will be released on vinyl for the first time since its original 2005 release as a 20th anniversary edition double LP on black vinyl and also on limited edition Rose Garden Pink Translucent color vinyl via A&M/UMe on June 20, the day before the album’s 20th anniversary. The limited edition color version will feature a gatefold sleeve with photos from the classic CD release and include the rarity “Love (Acapella)” as a bonus track. Fans who pre-order the vinyl will receive exclusive access to the first pre-sale to purchase tickets for the North America dates. It is available for pre-order now at her website.

Released in June 2005, The Way It Is marked a pivotal moment in R&B—introducing Keyshia Cole’s unfiltered storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and signature blend of vulnerability and strength. Twenty years later, she’s bringing that same energy back to the stage, giving fans a chance to reconnect with the songs that soundtracked so many real-life moments. Fresh off a standout performance at this year’s Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, Keyshia is ready to take it nationwide. From “I Should Have Cheated” to “Love” and beyond, the tour will spotlight the records that helped define an era, delivered with the raw emotion and authenticity that made her one of the genre’s most impactful voices.

Keyshia Cole is a Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, and television personality known for her powerful vocals, emotional storytelling, and raw authenticity. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she rose to fame with her 2005 platinum-certified debut album, The Way It Is, which introduced her signature blend of vulnerability and strength. The album’s success led to her hit BET reality series, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, which further cemented her as a cultural icon.Her chart-topping follow-up albums—including Just Like You, A Different Me, and Woman to Woman—solidified her status as a defining voice in R&B, earning her four Grammy nominations and multiple industry accolades. Dubbed the “Princess of Hip-Hop Soul,” Cole’s career spans music, television, and talk show hosting, including her time as host of One on One with Keyshia Cole on Fox Soul. This year, Keyshia celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Way It Is with an international anniversary tour, giving fans around the world the chance to experience the music that shaped a generation. With over 15 million albums sold worldwide and an enduring connection to her fans, Keyshia Cole remains one of the most influential voices in modern R&B.