Keyshia Cole

     Keyshia Michelle Cole is an African-American , Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter, and record producer known for her soulful voice. She released her platinum selling debut album The Way It Is in 2005, and her second album Just like You in 2007. She is currently in the process of making a third album entitled “Truth” coming out in December 2008. She also is currently making the Third Season of her BET reality series “The Way It Is” which she recently disclosed on will be out on TV in June of 2008.
     Growing up in Oakland, Keyshia Cole has been honing her powerful R&B voice since she was a young girl. She was in the studio recording with local legend MC Hammer before she was even a teenager. She has also collaborated with East Bay artists like Messy Marv and Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Tone! On her lead single “I Changed My Mind,” Keyshia teamed up with Kanye West. Her smooth vocals can also be heard on the soundtracks to ‘Barbershop 2′ and ‘Me & Mrs. Jones.’

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Kanye West

      Kanye Omari West (born June 8, 1977) is an American rap artist and hip hop producer. He released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, and his third album Graduation in 2007. His first three albums have received numerous awards (including nine Grammys), critical acclaim, and commercial success. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music. West’s mascot and trademark is “Dropout Bear,” a teddy bear, which has appeared on the covers of his three albums as well as the singles cover for his songs “Stronger” and “Homecoming.”
     A producer/rapper from Chicago, Kanye West has concocted numerous hits for Jay-Z, Ludacris, Talib Kweli and many others. In 2002, he released a pair of excellent mix tapes: “Get Well Soon” and “I’m Good.” Kanye’s single “Through the Wire” was recorded with his mouth wired shut, the result of a near-fatal car accident. Adept at sampling old soul records, he is one of the few artists equally embraced by both commercial and underground heads. Kanye’s official debut LP “College Dropout” was one of the most anticipated hip-hop releases of 2004.
     West’s parents divorced when he was three years old, and he and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. He enrolled at Chicago State University but later dropped out to continue pursuing his music career. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for musical artists including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson. West’s style of production often utilizes pitched-up vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his own drums and instruments.

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