(June 13, 2005) — The music industry has hit an all-time low. There aren’t the talent-possessing, ambitious vocalists we used to listen to. The hip-hop industry is now more about the “bling-bling,” cars and girls. Every month there is a new artist who seems to be in the spotlight for a hit single and then disappears. Artists such as Jay Z, Common and Kanye West have helped excite the hip-hop world, but there is a hunger for a new artist. Although those are great musicians, fans of real hip-hop and R&B are waiting for someone new with an edgy voice that will capture their hearts. The artist who has the potential to become this new voice in R&B is Keyshia Cole. Cole has soared up the charts with her hit single “I Changed My Mind,” featuring Kanye West, who has become one of the most powerful producers of our time. In addition to his collaboration with Cole, he has produced music for Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Twista. Cole, raised in a tough neighborhood in Oakland, California, gained drive to continue her music career. She began working with MC Hammer before she was even a teenager. Cole’s tough past made it difficult for her to thrive fully in her music career, but she has finally begun to demonstrate her talents. Her smooth R&B vocals have been used in movies such as Me & Mrs. Jones and Barbershop 2 , where she works with Eve on the song “Never.” Her album titled The Way It Is will be released June 21. Like most music videos, Cole’s new video “I Just Want It To Be Over,” featuring Alicia Keys, has hit music channels worldwide. The CD contains a mixture of upbeat hits and soft songs like “You’ve Changed,” where Cole uses the tune of Jay Z’s hit “Song Cry.” Cole puts the song in a neglected wife’s voice, showing how she has had enough of her husband’s ways. The album would be labeled as R&B but has a twist of romance. Like most singers today, Cole’s CD contains a mixture of voices. She collaborates on her CD with many rappers such as Jadakiss, Chink Santana and Metro City, adding a rap vibe to the CD. Cole’s CD addresses situations on meeting someone to falling in love with them. Cole possesses a voice that works well with other artists. Her smooth vocals allow her to pull off songs like “Love” and “You’ve Changed,” where her vocals work extra hard with different pitches. Cole transforms her voice in every song: she goes from slow to upbeat, and in songs like “Down ‘n’ Dirty,” the beat remains the same, but Cole’s voice changes with the rhythm. Overall, the CD has components of being one of the best new R&B CD’s out there. Cole is able to get across her message of the pain in relationships and the beauty of being in love. The music is exciting and not typical of the love songs that are produced today.