21: Keyshia Cole – Powerful Women of 2013

Keyshia Cole, like other artists on this list, has been trying to get into the music business since she was a kid. 'The Way It Is,' Cole's debut album, released in November 2004 and spawned four singles -- 'I Changed My Mind,' '(I Just Want It) To Be Over,' 'I Should Have Cheated' and 'Love.' 'Love' peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, and became the track that catapulted Cole to the limelight.

Before the songstress worked on her sophomore album, she teamed up with Diddy and released 'Last Night,' off his album, 'Press Play.' Cole released 'Just Like You' in 2007. Not only was it certified platinum, the LP was also nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2008 Grammys as well as Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the next year's awards. 'Just Like You' also released 'I Remember' and 'Heaven Sent' -- two singles that topped the charts.

She's released three more albums -- 'A Different Me' in 2008, 'Calling All Hearts' in 2010 and 'Woman to Woman', which dropped last November. Cole scored her own headlining tour this year and there's more to come from the songbird.