Keyshia Cole Announces ‘The Way It Is’ 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

Two decades after the release of her groundbreaking debut album, Keyshia Cole is set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Way It Is with a highly anticipated commemorative tour. The Grammy-nominated singer, often hailed as the “Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B,” will take fans on a nostalgic journey across North America and Europe, performing the classic album that launched her career.

Tour Overview

The Way It Is: 20th Anniversary Tour kicks off on July 1, 2025, at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. The North American leg will include major cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Brooklyn, Tampa, Atlanta, Oakland, and more, concluding on August 8 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Following the U.S. and Canada dates, Keyshia Cole will bring the celebration to Europe, starting September 19 at the Adidas Arena in Paris, with stops in Amsterdam, London, Manchester, and finishing on September 26 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, UK.

Special Guests and Highlights

Keyshia will be joined by an impressive lineup of special guests on select dates, including Lil’ Kim, Wale, Jeremih, Tink, and Fridayy. Additional appearances by T-Pain, SWV, and Jadakiss will add to the star-studded experience in various cities. Notably, Lil’ Kim will join Keyshia for the Lincoln, CA show and all European dates, while Jadakiss and T-Pain will appear in Brooklyn, NY, and Greensboro, NC, respectively.

Significance of The Way It Is

Released on June 21, 2005, via A&M/Interscope, The Way It Is marked Keyshia Cole’s powerful entry into the R&B and hip-hop soul scene. The album features hits like “Love,” “I Changed My Mind” (co-written by Alicia Keys), “(I Just Want It) To Be Over” (co-written by John Legend), and “I Should’ve Cheated.” It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, eventually selling over 1.6 million copies and earning platinum certification. The album’s raw and honest exploration of romantic relationships resonated deeply with fans and critics alike, establishing Cole as a formidable voice in contemporary R&B.

Keyshia Cole has expressed heartfelt gratitude for the album’s enduring impact, stating, “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.” This tour not only honors the album’s legacy but also reconnects Cole with fans who have supported her since the beginning of her career.

Vinyl Reissue and Ticket Information

To complement the tour, The Way It Is will be reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release. The 20th anniversary edition will be available as a 2LP set in two versions: a limited edition rose garden pink translucent colorway ($37.98) and a classic black vinyl ($32.99). The vinyl will ship on June 20, 2025, just ahead of the anniversary date. Fans who preorder the vinyl will receive exclusive presale access to tour tickets, which go on sale to the public on April 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time.

Complete North American Tour Dates

• Jul 1 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
• Jul 2 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
• Jul 5 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
• Jul 6 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Arena
• Jul 9 – Toronto, ON @ Coca-Cola Coliseum
• Jul 10 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
• Jul 12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
• Jul 13 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
• Jul 16 – Greensboro, NC @ First Horizon Coliseum
• Jul 17 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC
• Jul 19 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
• Jul 20 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
• Jul 22 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
• Jul 23 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
• Jul 25 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
• Jul 26 – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
• Jul 31 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
• Aug 1 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
• Aug 2 – Lincoln, CA @ The Venue at Thunder Valley
• Aug 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena

European/U.K. Tour Dates

• Sep 19 – Paris, FR @ Adidas Arena
• Sep 21 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS Live
• Sep 23 – London, UK @ The O2
• Sep 26 – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena

This milestone tour is a testament to Keyshia Cole’s lasting influence in the music industry and her ability to connect with audiences through heartfelt storytelling and powerful performances. Fans eager to relive the magic of The Way It Is will not want to miss this special celebration of an iconic album.

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