‘She Been Talkin’ to Ella Mai’: Fans Slam Keyshia Cole After She Shades OT Genasis Christmas Duet Request

It looks like singer Keyshia Cole is facing backlash for slapping down rapper OT Genasis‘ remix to her classic song “Love.”

Last week, the “Everybody Mad” rapper shared his own version of Cole’s 2005 single to his Instagram page and titled it “Never Knew.” His rendition focused on his “Crip” lifestyle and starts off with the lyrics, “Cuh-uhh/never knew that I was crippin/and if a n–ga get to trippin.”

It’s fair to say Cole was less than impressed by OT’s version. As a matter of fact, the 38-year-old crooner shut down the rapper’s request to do a duet with her.

“All I want for Christmas is my duet ♿,” Genasis said via Instagram on Sunday, tagging the “Let It Go” artist in his post.

Cole responded to his remarks on Instagram blog “The Shade Room” and wrote, “All I want for Christmas is some of that ‘Everybody Mad’ publishing LMAO.” She even went a step further by threatening to remove “Love” from streaming music service iTunes after a fan said the song has been permanently changed by the new rendition.

“Thanks @otgenasis… I’ll never hear “love” by @keyshiacole the same ever again 🤦🏽😭😭,” a Twitter user said.

Cole replied, “I’m gonna take mines off iTunes so no worries.”

Keyshia Cole
@keyshiacole/Instagram

Several fans slammed Cole for her reactions toward OT.

“If she stop being bitter and dumb that would be some 🔥 marketing. She been talkin to Ella mai lol”

“Girrrrlll chill tf and relax. He made the damn song fa fun why she so hostile😐people so sensitive I canttt.”

“Did she write the song? If so then she should just child and collect her coins instead of being salty 🤷🏾‍♀️”

“It’s not even that serious.. lighten up 🙄 she so lame. This is your way back to music… not those damn reality shows”

Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole and OT Genasis. (Photos: @keyshiacole/Instagram and @otgenasis/Instagram)

After receiving backlash on her apparent “bitter” remarks, the “I Remember” singer finally explained her reasoning behind her attitude and tweeted Monday, Dec. 9, “You kno. Once a artist creates something so close to the heart, we release it to the world. And no matter if that makes you laugh,cry, sing or all three. It’s been released. It’s you guys now. That song was very personal me, because it CHANGED MY LIFE. Maybe I did care 2 much.”

Keyshia Cole
@keyshiacole/Twitter

A few of her fans showered her with support.

“You don’t have to explain yourself KC! You have every right to feel the way you do! That’s YOUR song! Blood sweat and tears!” one fan said.

Another added, “People don’t realize sampling isn’t just about money but sometimes it’s the emotion that went behind the song creation that is dear to an artist heart.”

Cole’s 2005 single was featured on her debut album “The Way It Is” and topped Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at No. 3 at the time.

OT hasn’t expounded on Cole’s latest response.

https://youtu.be/O9zQt59l3y4?t=4

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top