Keyshia Cole Announces ‘The Way It Is – 20th Anniversary Tour’ with Lil Kim, Wale, Tink, Jeremih & Fridayy
Written by h.campbell216 on April 18, 2025
Two decades after the release of her breakthrough debut album, Keyshia Cole is hitting the road in celebration of The Way It Is with an anniversary tour—and a stacked supporting lineup.
Officially titled The Way It Is – 20th Anniversary Tour, the newly announced trek will launch this July in North America before making its way overseas with stops in Amsterdam, Paris and London. Joining Cole on select dates are special guests Lil Kim, Wale, Tink, Jeremih and Fridayy—a wide-spanning lineup that intersects with Cole’s influence across hip-hop, R&B and today’s new school of vocalists.
The tour arrives on the heels of Cole’s performance at the fifth and final Dreamville Fest, where she celebrated the album’s anniversary with deep cuts and fan favorites. The set not only reminded audiences of the emotional gravity of her music but also doubled as a live teaser for what’s to come on this commemorative run.
Released in June 2005, The Way It Is catapulted Cole into R&B stardom, debuting at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and eventually going platinum. Fueled by soul-baring hits like “Love,” “I Should Have Cheated” and “I Changed My Mind,” the album blended raw storytelling with radio-ready hooks, establishing her as one of the genre’s most emotionally resonant voices. The project earned Cole two GRAMMY nominations and positioned her as part of the mid-2000s wave of artists redefining R&B for a new generation.
Beyond the music, The Way It Is would also go on to inspire her BET reality series of the same name, which documented the Oakland native’s personal and professional journey at the height of her career. Airing from 2006 to 2008, the show solidified Cole’s bond with fans by offering a rare look into the challenges and triumphs behind the spotlight.
Tickets go on general sale Friday, Apr. 25 at TheWayItIs20.com.
