Cardi B Greatest Album of All Time: Why Keyshia Cole

Cardi B named her greatest album of all time, and it's Keyshia Cole's debut, The Way It Is. She says it's one "every woman should listen to." Cardi has been playing it since she was a teenager. Here's what she said, what the album is, and how to play it yourself.

Why Did Cardi B Pick The Way It Is as the Greatest Album Ever?

Cardi shared her pick in a video for the New York Times T Magazine "Greats" feature, published October 21, 2026. She chose The Way It Is by Keyshia Cole.

She also explained how long it's stuck with her:

• "I was listening to that album when I was, like, 13, and I'm still listening to it when I'm 33."
• "Every woman should listen to that album."

That's the whole reason it's news. It's not a new release. It's a favorite she has kept for 20 years.

Who Else Has Praised Keyshia Cole's Debut?

Cardi isn't the first artist to say it. In 2019, Ari Lennox called the album "one of the most phenomenal debut albums ever."

Cardi's pick comes just days after her NPR Tiny Desk Concert debut on October 19, 2026. She's in the spotlight right now, so her take is getting heard.

What Is Keyshia Cole's The Way It Is? Songs, Chart Numbers, and Features

If you haven't heard it, here's the quick version. The Way It Is came out in July 2005 and debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. It went platinum and spent 64 weeks on the chart.

The songs to know:

• "I Should Have Cheated": peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was written by Daron Jones and Quinnes "Q" Parker of 112.
• "Love": peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100.
• "I Changed My Mind": produced by Ye.

The album also features Jadakiss, Eve, Chink Santana and Metro City.

Where Does This Fit in Cardi B's Big Month?

Cardi's own debut-era work is also getting credit. Her album Invasion of Privacy (2018) was ranked No. 16 on Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums list, and TIME named it the best album of 2018.

So she knows what a classic debut looks like. That makes her pick for Cole feel more personal.

(More: our other recent Cardi B post.)

Artists looking back at classic records is a bigger story right now. (More: what we know about Rihanna's unreleased songs.)

Listen to Keyshia Cole on VibeSynced

Keyshia Cole's sound is late-night, emotional R&B. Tap one to jump straight into the app with that particle already running.

Best match

City

A neon nighttime cityscape that fits the late-night heartbreak of "I Should Have Cheated."

Play in VIBESYNCED

Cardi B and Keyshia Cole FAQ

What is Cardi B's greatest album of all time?

It's Keyshia Cole's debut, The Way It Is. She said so in a video for the New York Times T Magazine "Greats" feature.

What did Cardi B say about The Way It Is?

She said she listened to it at 13 and still does at 33. She added, "Every woman should listen to that album."

What are the biggest Keyshia Cole The Way It Is songs?

"Love" reached No. 19 on the Hot 100, and "I Should Have Cheated" reached No. 31. "I Changed My Mind" was produced by Ye.

Have Cardi B and Keyshia Cole worked together?

Not yet. They haven't released a song together, and no collaboration has been announced.