GRAMMY-NOMINATED “PRINCESS OF HIP-HOP AND R&B” TO PLAY 25 ARENAS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA & EUROPE

 

FANS WHO PURCHASE NEW 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF

THE WAY IT IS ON VINYL WILL RECEIVE FIRST PRE-SALE ACCESS TO TICKETS IN NORTH AMERICA  

 

April 17, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA) – 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 North America arena tour kicks off July 1 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore and hits key cities including Brooklyn, Atlanta, New Orleans, Detroit, and Houston, before wrapping August 8 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. After performing throughout the US & Canada, Keyshia will hit the road in Europe starting September 19 at Adidas Arena in Paris and continuing at arenas in Amsterdam, London, Manchester, and finishing September 26 in Birmingham, UK. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 25, at 10 AM local.

 

Joining Keyshia on tour are XXL Freshman 2015 alumnus Tink, award-winning artist Wale, Platinum artist Fridayy, and GRAMMY-nominated artist Jeremih (on select dates). Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-winning hip-hop legend Lil’ Kim will join Keyshia in Lincoln, CA, as well as on all UK & Europe dates. Brooklyn, NY, and Greensboro, NC, will feature Billboard chart-topping rapper Jadakiss & 2x GRAMMY-winner T-Pain as special guests, respectively.

 

“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. Pre-order now at: https://www.keyshiacoleofficial.com.

 

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.