Crystal Waters life and biography

Crystal Waters: A Journey of Creativity, Resilience, and Dancefloor Dominance

Crystal Waters, the American dance music sensation, etched her name into music history with a unique comeback that defied the odds. While she first burst onto the scene with the chart-topping hit "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" in 1991, her debut album left critics unimpressed, labeling her a "one-hit wonder." However, Waters didn't let this setback deter her, and her journey to musical acclaim took an unexpected twist.

The Early Years

Born in Camden, New Jersey, in the early 1960s, Waters' early life was a blend of diverse influences. Her father, Junior Waters, was a jazz musician, and her great aunt, Ethel Waters, was a trailblazing African-American vocalist in Hollywood. From a young age, Waters exhibited a deep passion for writing, even gaining induction into the American Poetry Society at just 14, becoming the youngest member ever.

As she transitioned into adulthood, Waters pursued a practical path, studying business at Howard University. This educational journey limited her creative endeavors, but she remained determined to balance her responsibilities. After earning her degree in 1985, she found employment with the Washington, D.C. parole board, leveraging her business and computer skills to support her two children.

Waters' foray into the music world began in 1987 when she worked behind the scenes, writing demos for the Basement Boys production team. In 1989, she secured a writing contract with Mercury Records, setting the stage for her remarkable musical career.

The Unlikely Breakthrough

In 1991, Waters found herself in the spotlight due to a twist of fate. While working as a demo writer, she penned "Gypsy Woman" for Ultra Nate but ended up recording it herself. The song, produced by the Basement Boys, topped both dance and pop charts, captivating audiences with its infectious chorus. Critics hailed it as a breath of fresh air amidst a sea of similar dance tracks.

A Trailblazing Career

As Waters' popularity soared, Mercury Records seized the opportunity and rushed her to produce an album, resulting in "Surprise." However, the lack of time for careful crafting showed in the final product, disappointing critics. Despite this, "Surprise" still spawned dance hits and achieved gold status.

Learning from the shortcomings of her debut album, Waters embarked on her second album, "Storyteller," which she meticulously crafted over two years. Her dedication paid off when "100% Pure Love" became a chart-topping sensation, followed by other successful singles like "Ghetto Day" and "What I Need." Critics and audiences alike praised her ability to infuse house music with an uncompromising beat and substantial intelligence.

Waters' journey to stardom continued, including modeling contracts with Ford Models and a global tour that took her to various countries. She maintained her musical relevance with hits like "Destination Calabria" and "Dancefloor," solidifying her status as a dance music trailblazer.

In 2007, the mega European hit "Destination Calabria" by Alex Gaudino, featuring vocals by Crystal Waters, went to No. 1 on the European Pop Chart in over 30 countries. The track was a mashup, combining the instrumental from Rune's "Calabria" with the vocals from Alex Gaudino's and Crystal Waters' "Destination Unknown," both originally released in 2003. Produced with the help of Maurizio Nari and Ronnie Milani (Nari & Milani), the song matched the saxophone hook/riff from "Calabria" to Crystal Waters' voice. "Destination Calabria" was released as a 12-inch single by the Italian label Rise Records and as a CD single on March 19, 2007, by the British label Data Records. It originally charted in Australia in February 2004, peaking at No. 98 under the title "Destination Unknown" before being re-released as "Destination Calabria" and reaching No. 2 in 2007. In May 2008, Waters issued the single "Dancefloor", giving Waters yet another Top 10 Dance hit. "Never Enough" hit #20 on the US Dance Charts in February 2009.

In 2012, "Le Bump" with Yolanda Be Cool gave Waters another No. 1 on the Beatport House Chart.

With DJ Chris Cox in 2013, the No. 1 Billboard Dance Club Songs hit "Mama Hey" was listed as one of Billboard's "Top 50 Dance Songs of 2013."

In November 2015, Waters released "Synergy," and in October 2016, she released "Believe." Both songs quickly rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Dance Club Songs.

Her 2017 single "Testify" with Hifi Sean was released on Defected Records and went straight to the A-List on BBC Radio and garnered another No. 1 spot on the Billboard Dance Club Songs.

Her third collaboration with Sted-E & Hybrid Heights, titled "I Am House," reached No. 1 in the club charts in Spring 2018, giving Waters a total of twelve No. 1 singles in the US Billboard Dance Club Songs.

In February 2020, she began a monthly radio/podcast show called "I Am House."

Crystal Waters' story is one of resilience, talent, and an unwavering commitment to her craft. From her humble beginnings to her resurgence as a dance music sensation, she continues to inspire both fans and aspiring artists alike.

Studio albums of Crystal Waters:

-Surprise (1991)
-Storyteller (1994)
-Crystal Waters (1997)

Compilation albums:

-The Best of Crystal Waters (1998)
- Gypsy Woman – The Collection (2001)
- 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Crystal Waters (2001)

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