Crystal Waters is a house and dance music singer and songwriter, who was born and raised in New Jersey. She moved to Washington, D.C to attend Howard University. This successful vocalist and songwriter is well known for her hits: "Gypsy Woman" and "100% Pure Love," which earned her three American Music Award nominations and a place on the Billboard Hot 100 for 48 weeks. Waters has received many accolades, including being recognized as “one of the most successful Dance Music Artists in the history of the Billboard Dance Music Chart” by Billboard Magazine in 2016. Even though she has received many achievements, such as 13 #1 Billboard Dance Chart hits and 11 Top 10 songs, she has no plans to stop and will only continue to tour, reminding us why we fell in love with her in the first place.

Jacket by TABLEAUX VIVANTS
Belt by RYCE NYC
Necklace by Stylist Own
Eye patch by MISASSEMBLED Geometric Fashion at FLYING SOLO
Choker by Erickson Beamon at ShowroomSEVEN

How did you start in the music industry; particularly doing house music?
I grew up in a musical family but it wasn’t until I got my first job as a computer programmer for the DC Government did I realize that there was something more I wanted to do with my life. To make a long story short, one of my friends at work invited to audition as a background singer at his cousin's studio. I got the job and I was hooked. I sought out a keyboardist, we made a demo, and then we snuck into a Music Industry Conference here in DC. The first people we met were the Basement Boys, who introduced me to House Music (it was just called dance music at the time) I was writing more along the lines of Sade, but they loved my songwriting and asked if I would write over some of their beats. The rest is history.

Your father was a musician and your great-aunt was a successful vocalist. Was there ever any pressure growing up to pursue music or was it more of a natural calling for you?
No, there was never any pressure. There were enough people in my family pursuing music, I was so shy I was the last person they thought would make it. But I did learn a lot watching everyone else and it paid off in the end.

**Left:**
The Romantic High Slit Dress by AW BRAND by Aidan Weiss
Harnness & Cuffs RYCE NYC
Shoes by MASHIZAN at FLYING SOLO
**Right:**
Trench by JVLAURNT at The Confessional Showroom
Boots by LHAMBI at The Confessional Showroom
Choker, Harness, Belt and Cuffs by RYCE NYC

You’ve continued to tour throughout your 30-year career seemingly never taking a break. How do you mentally, physically, and emotionally prepare yourself for the demands of tour?
First of all, I love it! This lifestyle isn't for everyone. I have a spiritual practice I do every morning that lasts at least an hour. I don’t do any work until noon, which allows me to meditate, do my vocal exercises, workout, and do anything I need to do for myself mentally and physically. I think that allows me to keep a balance in my life. It’s important to keep those boundaries and not let anyone interfere with the time I need for myself. I’ve also learned the signs of when I just need to stop and sit down.

What is the process like preparing for your tour?
I’ve been doing it so long that at this point it’s easy. I have a good team around me that makes it all flow. But I will say I don’t think people realize how much it cost for me to get on stage. I still get asked to do stuff for free but there’s dancers, rehearsals , stylist, clothing, make-up, hair, nails … it all adds up. I want to show up at my best and people appreciate it. I think that’s one of the reasons I still tour.

How has the music industry changed compared to when you were first getting started in music?
It’s changed in some respects and in others it hasn’t. Like the way we buy or listen to music. How much you get paid all that has changed. One good thing is that you don’t need a big label to have some success. What hasn’t changed is how you get a song on a radio or the fact that you have to be 20 years old for a major record label to even look at you.

**Left:**
Trench by JVLAURNT at The Confessional Showroom
Boots by LHAMBI at The Confessional Showroom
Choker, Harness, Belt and Cuffs by RYCE NYC
**Right:**
Amictus lorica by Nazarene Amictus at The Confessional Showroom
Helmet by Stylist own
Crystal choker by RYCE NYC
Boots by BEAUTIISOLES by Robyn Shreiber at ShowroomSEVEN

You have been a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ community. What does it feel like to know that your music has been so influential for a community that needed the joy your music brings?
I feel blessed and honored. The LGBTQ community was the first one to embrace me and the first to embrace House Music as a whole. When I first got to New York in the 90s the dancers, Drag Queens, and House’s became my friends and taught me about how to be on stage. While other people were putting me down for doing House Music they loved and accepted me. I’ll never forget that. I will always be an advocate and I’m thankful and happy my music brings so much joy.

What has been the most memorable performance of your career so far?
Verona, Italy at an amphitheater older than the coliseums in Rome. It was 1991 and I had never seen so many people. I was with Seal and Lisa Stansfiled. Our dressing rooms were in underground caves where they used to keep the lions. When I got on stage it started to rain and the crowd cheered “Crystal Waters.” I’ll never forget that.

Hat by Stylist Own
Jacket by AlessandraGrimoldi at The Confessional Showroom
Harness by RYCE NYC

You have an iconic music catalog. What production decisions do you make in the recording process to keep things fresh and innovative while keeping your distinct sound?
I’m picky about the tracks to which I write. I like structured tracks. I can tell when I receive a track if the producer knows what he is doing. There’s a basic music format and if it isn’t there I don’t touch it. And I gotta have bass, the music has to have an emotional feel within itself. I work with a professional engineer, and I produce all my vocals. I’ve learned the hard way that not everybody knows how to work with vocals. After my shows I always hang around to hear what the DJ’s are playing and I have a podcast called “I am House Radio ''on iTunes and a weekly show on SirriusXM channel 141. I love it because I get sent all the new House Music and keeps me up to date on what's going on in the scene.

Your music has never steered shy of spreading a social message. In what ways can your music influence the next generation of musicians and listeners to be change makers?
I hope it will influence them to speak up about what really is important in life. There’s more to life than sex, drugs, and everything he or she did wrong to you.. There are unique opportunities in music to uplift people, to wake them up to what’s really going on in the world and take a stand for something. It is part of the House Music culture; the music is uplifting. I hope it continues to spark a flame in songwriters for generations to come.

Social Media and More.
Instagram: @crystalwaters
Record label: www.iamhouserecords.com
Website: https://www.iamcrystalwaters.com
www.boyfaceme.com

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Crystal Waters
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Hair: Luis Guillermo for Oribe
Makeup: Deney Adam at Blonde + Co
Photography Assistant: Dani Sax
Fashion Stylist Interns: Shannon McCarthy, Lily Nawfor and Angie Hines
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Lily Nawfor and Ary Russell, Contributors, PhotoBook Magazine
Studio: YOUR SPACE NJ