A group of middle schoolers recently went viral on social media for singing Keyshia Cole’s “Love,” and the singer was proud to know the ballad has reached a new generation of R&B listeners.
According to Complex, Cole’s 2005 hit single was from her debut album, The Way It Is. Since then, the song has become an official heartbreak anthem, and fans couldn’t help but sing the words to the iconic chorus. The 2000s banger has gained popularity thanks to TikTok’s Gen Z audience.
On Sunday, San Diego-based DJ Brother Reese shared a video on his social media accounts of the children singing “Love” at a middle school dance he worked as a gig on Friday, per the outlet.
He said the students “went crazy” for Cole’s song, and the clip quickly went viral at nearly 1 million views on the video-sharing platform.
The clip made its rounds on social media, with Cole resharing the video and her reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“😥 awww they looobe me 🥰,” she tweeted.
😥 awww they looobe me 🥰 https://t.co/Rq5M8ZLjRu
— Keyshia Cole (@KeyshiaCole) October 31, 2023
Millennial users on the platform were nostalgic about the R&B song and shared their thoughts while praising the kids for knowing all the words.
“Man what they know about this song!? My ass is taken back by them knowing all the damn words and vibing so hard with it 😏🙌🏽! This was my s**t back in the day 🫶🏽🔥!!! @KeyshiaCole,” @angie_chacha shared.
Man what they know about this song!? My ass is taken back by them knowing all the damn words and vibing so hard with it 😏🙌🏽! This was my shit back in the day 🫶🏽🔥!!! @KeyshiaCole https://t.co/Pf9XuCJpAA
— Angie_ChaCha™ (@angie_chacha) October 31, 2023
“@KeyshiaCole raised us now the younger generation too,” @Obey_turbo commented.
@KeyshiaCole raised us now the younger generation too https://t.co/G2H1dPARt1
— ♓️ (@Obey_turbo) October 31, 2023
“You know what makes this so beautiful? They are probably the first generation of” Love” fans that Keyshia Cole doesn’t have blocked on social media,” @TatyanaJenene said.
You know what makes this so beautiful? They are probably the first generation of ”Love” fans that Keyshia Cole doesn't have blocked on social media. https://t.co/0vpYTIEJ4v
— The Hip-Hop Homegirl (@TatyanaJenene) October 31, 2023
Meanwhile, one user said TikTok was the main reason why the children knew about “Love” and other timeless hits that resurfaced on the platform.
“This ain’t nothing but the power of TikTok because never in my life would I have thought that I would see a room full of non-Black children singing Love x Keyshia Cole. 🤣” @_PanamaGold tweeted.
This ain’t nothing but the power of TikTok because never in my life would I have thought that I would see a room full of non-Black children singing Love x Keyshia Cole. 🤣 https://t.co/WkKs6uHcFK
— Morticia Addams 🎃✨🇵🇦 (@_PanamaGold) October 31, 2023
On Wednesday, Reese reshared the video to his Instagram account and reflected on how R&B continues to touch future generations.
“I have to admit, I was surprised the little homie on the shoulders requested the song then to hear everyone singing their hearts out. Wild but proud! I love that R&B is still powerful. LOVE WINS!” he wrote in the post’s caption.
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