Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer before signing with A&M Records to release her debut studio album, The Way It Is (2005).

Supported by the Billboard Hot 100 top-20 single "Love", the album received a platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned two nominations at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards.

The former spawned the singles "Let It Go" (featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim), "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent"—each of which peaked atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart—and received four Grammy Award nominations.

Tragically, Tupac was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting the same night he asked Cole to write a hook for his upcoming project at the time.

[29][30][31] To further promote the album, Cole served as a supporting act on Kanye West's Touch the Sky Tour, which took place from October to December 2005.

[32] In June 2006, Cole was featured on "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" by Sean Paul from the soundtrack of the romantic dance film Step Up (2006).

[39] A worldwide success, it reached the top-ten in over five countries, including the United States, where it spent 22 consecutive weeks charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

[42][43] For the album, she worked with various producers, including Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, Bryan-Michael Cox, Cainon Lamb and The Runners, among others.

[48][49] Aside from her music success, Cole made her acting debut with a cameo role in the Ian Iqbal Rashid-directed film How She Move, released in January 2008 and grossed $8.6 million worldwide.

[4] Additionally, Cole was scheduled to make a cameo on Missy Elliott's album, Block Party, which was originally intended to be released that year.

[59] On June 27, 2010, Cole returned to the public eye, filling in for Hayley Williams to perform the chorus to B.o.B's "Airplanes (Part II)" featuring Eminem during the 2010 BET Awards.

[61] Calling All Hearts received mixed to positive reviews from music critics and debuted at number nine on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 128,000 copies in its first week.

[62] Following the album's release, Cole announced via Twitter that she had fired her manager Manny Halley and parted ways with his Imani Entertainment label in January 2011.

[64][27] Cole supplementally promoted Calling All Hearts by serving as an opening act for the North American leg of R. Kelly's Love Letter Tour through June 16 to July 3, 2011.

[74] In March 2014, Cole debuted the title and first two singles for her sixth studio album Point of No Return, "Rick James", which features American rapper Juicy J, and "Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)".

[75] On April 2, 2014, Cole and Australian rapper Iggy Azalea released a cover version of Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", for The Other Woman movie soundtrack.

[79] Point of No Return was released on October 7, 2014, featuring guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Future, Gavyn Rhone, Wale, and August Alsina.

[85] In September 2015, Cole independently released the London on da Track-produced song "Don't Waste My Time" (featuring Young Thug) and her own remixed version of Drake's "Hotline Bling".

[93][94] Cole's seventh album, 11:11 Reset, was released on October 20, 2017, featuring guest appearances from Remy Ma, French Montana, DJ Khaled, Young Thug, Kamaiyah, and Too $hort.

[27] On November 25, Cole made a guest appearance on Lip Sync Battle during its Soul Train special, where she lip-synced to "Car Wash" by Rose Royce.

[110] On February 5, 2021, Cole released the non-album single "I Don't Wanna Be in Love", under her independent record label, Hearts and Stars, created with the support of BMG.

[118][119] Her voice has been described as having a "flexible range of R&B, the muscular punch of soul and the hard character of hip hop" and contains a "smoky flavor, and a husky texture.

[123] She cites Mary J. Blige as one of her greatest musical inspirations, along with Faith Evans, Toni Braxton, Monica, Chanté Moore and Brandy.

In 2008, Cole partnered with Luster Products to endorse their relaunched Pink Brand Smooth Touch hair care line, aimed at women aged 16 to 24.

The campaign featured Cole in advertising, product packaging, and "A Day in the Life" online videos, with promotional efforts spanning radio, print, in-store events, and grassroots marketing to enhance brand visibility.

The event, organized by Radio One Cleveland and sponsored by Villa, provided free haircuts, hairstyles, and school supplies to 300 underprivileged children, easing the back-to-school burden for many families in need.

[138] In January 2015, Cole donated $15,000 to the family of Oscar Grant, an unarmed African-American man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Oakland, California.

[155][7] Cole asserted in a December 2012 interview on BET's 106 & Park that she was multiracial, despite not knowing her father's true identity or race at the time.

[172][173] In a March 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, Kelly Rowland responded to a query on the circumstances by saying, "We matter to a lot more people, with all due respect, than her.

[190] This award recognized their consistent and positive contributions to their communities, and the ceremony took place at Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in NYC.