Crystal Murray

Last updated
Crystal Murray
Born (2001-12-08) December 8, 2001 (age 22)
Paris, France
NationalityFrench, American
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2019-present
Parents
Website https://crystal-murray.com/

Crystal Murray (born 8 December 2001 in Paris, France), is a Franco-American singer-songwriter. [1] Starting her musical career in 2018 by signing to the British label Because Music, her songs are inspired by a mix of R&B, neo-soul, jazz, funk and house.

Contents

Early life

Crystal Murray was born and raised in Paris. She is the daughter of American jazz saxophonist David Murray and Valérie Malot, music producer who runs 3D FAMILY, a jazz and world music production company, representing artists like Amadou et Mariam, Les Amazones d'Afriques, Theo Croker, Lakecia Benjamin or Nneka.

In 2016, she and a group of friends created the Gucci Gang, a crew of influencers associated with the Parisian art and fashion scene. It's alongside this group that she posed for the cover of Jalouse Magazine (March 2017), or appeared in magazines like Vogue, Love or Miaou, [2] through which the group shot a video campaign with Travis Scott.

She also modeled for several advertising campaigns, such as Forever Chuck campaign by Converse (2017) [3] or the Commuter Campaign for Beats by Dre (2019). In 2019, with French association Safe Place, the group has used their platform to give survivors of sexual harassment a way to speak out about their experiences.

In 2020, Crystal Murray launched Spin Desire with 3D FAMILY, a label focused on the nightclub scene through the creation of DJ sets and parties. With this label, Crystal Murray collaborates with artists from the night scene such as Elheist or Thee Dian with the Hotel Room Drama series. Inspiring itself from alternative forms of art, Spin Desires performs in European capitals such as London, Barcelona or Berlin. In an interview for Dazed, Crystal Murray affirms: “People love to put labels on young people and artists, my generation is not agreeing with the boxes people want to put us in. We want to break the rules and boundaries.” [4]

Collaborations

Since 2019, Crystal Murray has been the face of the Converse brand [5] and is currently in collaboration with Adidas.

In 2019, her single Princess was used as music in a Dior ad. [6] Similarly, in 2024, Payback was used to promote the National Women's Soccer League by the American sports network ESPN. [7]

Musical career

Crystal Murray starts off her career through the release of the single After Ten in 2018, a song taking inspirations from R&B and soul. [8] The track ended up at the top of talent playlists of Spotify and Deezer and made her one of the most promising artists of 2019. Her debut EP I Was Wrong was released in 2020 through the label Because Music and cemented her rising-star status. [9]

In 2020, she released "Princess" and "August Knows". The tracks are featured on the soundtrack of Cédric Klapisch's 2019 film Deux moi. Klapisch later directed the video clip for "August Knows". [10] [11]

In 2021, she started her HOTEL ROOM DRAMA Concept, featuring a series of music video clips and collaborations such as GGGB with Thee Diane and CREEPS with Elheist.

On February 11, 2022, Murray released an EP titled Twisted Bases, [12] composed of singles such as BOSS which has been revealed through a COLORS show, [13] Other Men with Le Diouck and Thee Diane, Masterclass with Le Diouck and Thee Diane, and Break in collaboration with Detroit-based rapper Zelooperz.

Murray is set to release her first album, Sad Lovers & Giants on May 31, 2024, [14] with several singles such as STARMANIAK or Air with producer Kyu Steed known for his work with Amaarae, Eddy de Pretto and Booba. This album sees her music gliding from soul to alternative. The album will also feature British producers such as Benji Flow, COLTRANE or KZDidIt, known for his work with Babyface.

Artistry and influences

Crystal Murray cites African-American music as her main influence, jazz being a major influence, as she frequented jazz clubs and often accompanied her father on tours. Growing up, she listened to Macy Gray, John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, Minnie Ripperton and Beyoncé. Crystal Murray's releases take inspirations from soul and R&B, having cited Kelis, Macy Gray or Betty Davis as her major musical influences, as well as artists like Björk or Tame Impala. [15] As for more recent artists, Crystal Murray cites artists like Serpentwithfeet, Amaarae, Santigold, Kid Cudi, Shygirl, Nathy Peluso, Arca, Laylow.

For her second EP, Twisted Basses in 2022, Crystal Murray confessed in an interview wishing to allow herself more artistic liberties, taking inspirations from more dry and energetic music genres like rock with Betty Davis as a source of inspiration. [16]

For the release of Sad Lovers & Giants, Murray claims wishing to experiment further with her music by looking into her own hybridity and going beyond limits, blending genres together such as shoegaze and RnB.

Discography

Album

Sad Lovers And Giants (LP)

EP

I Was Wrong (EP) [17]
Twisted Bases (EP)

Singles

As primary artist

  • Princess (2018) [18]
  • After Ten (2019) [19] [20]
  • GGGB (Hotel Room Drama) (2020) [17] [21]
  • August Knows (2020) [22]
  • Creeps (Hotel Room Drama) [feat. Elheist] (2020)
  • Boss (2021) [23] [24]
  • Like It Nasty (2021) [25] [24]
  • Too Much To Taste (2021)
  • Other Men (2022)
  • EGO REMIX (with Hook & Modulaw) (2023)
  • PAYBACK (2024) [26]
  • STARMANIAK (2024)
  • Air (2024)
  • "Diamond Man" (Bamao Yendé ft Crystal Murray)
  • “BODIES” (99GINGER, Tommy Gold, Crystal Murray) (2022)

Performances

Crystal Murray has performed in several private events for brands, such as Swedish-based luxury brand Acne Studios.

In Avril 2020, she performed “Princess” on the French music program Taratata. [27]

In June 2021, she performed the neo-soul track "Boss" on the German music performance platform COLORS.

In February 2022, Crystal Murray performed at Radio Nova's Chambre Noire. [28]

On May 4, 2024, Crystal Murray announced a European Summer Tour, the "Sad Lovers N Giants Tour" comprising 12 dates, coinciding with the release of her latest album. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Murray (saxophonist)</span> American jazz musician (born 1955)

David Keith Murray is an American jazz saxophonist and composer who performs mostly on tenor and bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s. He lives in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cédric Klapisch</span> French filmmaker

Cédric Klapisch is a French film director, screenwriter and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dee Dee Bridgewater</span> American jazz singer (born 1950)

Dee Dee Bridgewater is an American jazz singer and actress. She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress. For 23 years, she was the host of National Public Radio's syndicated radio show JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. She is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camila Moreno</span> Chilean rock and folk singer-songwriter (born 1985)

Camila Moreno is a Chilean rock and folk singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BadBadNotGood</span> Canadian instrumental group

BadBadNotGood is a Canadian instrumental band and production team from Toronto, Canada. The group was founded in 2010 by bassist Chester Hansen, keyboardist Matthew Tavares, and drummer Alexander Sowinski. In 2016, they were joined by frequent collaborator Leland Whitty. Among other projects, the group has released five solo studio albums, with the latest, Talk Memory, released in October 2021. They have had critical and crossover success, finding audiences in the hip hop, jazz, and alternative music communities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jain (singer)</span> French musician (born 1992)

Jeanne Louise Galice, better known by her stage name Jain, is a French singer-songwriter and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myd (musician)</span> Musical artist

Quentin Lepoutre, known professionally as Myd, is a French musician, record producer, singer, sound engineer and DJ. He is one of the four members of the electronic band Club Cheval. After releasing tracks on labels Marble and Bromance, he continued his solo career and signed to Ed Banger Records in 2017. He has produced tracks for artists like Brodinski and French rappers such as SCH, Lacrim, Georgio and Alonzo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aya Nakamura</span> French-Malian singer (born 1995)

Aya Danioko, known professionally as Aya Nakamura, is a French-Malian singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tia Ray</span> Musical artist

Tia Ray is a Chinese singer-songwriter from Hunan, China. She rose to fame in 2012 as a contestant on the televised singing competition The Voice of China, where she finished as one of the final contenders. She has since released four commercially successful albums, all of which she co-wrote and co-produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angèle (singer)</span> Belgian singer-songwriter (born 1995)

Angèle Van Laeken is a Belgian singer and songwriter. She was one of 2018's biggest breakout acts in French and Belgian pop music, breaking Stromae's record for weeks at the top of the Belgian singles charts with her 2018 single "Tout oublier" which features her brother, Roméo Elvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Thee Stallion</span> American rapper (born 1995)

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, is an American rapper. Originally from Houston, Texas, she first garnered attention when videos of her freestyling became popular on social media platforms such as Instagram. She signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment in 2018, and saw her mainstream breakthrough the following year with the release of her singles "Hot Girl Summer" and "Cash Shit" ; the former peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 while the latter received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Cash Shit" was also included on her commercial mixtape Fever (2019), which was followed by her extended play Suga (2020)—both of which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DaniLeigh</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Danielle Leigh Curiel, known professionally as DaniLeigh, is an American singer and songwriter. Initially appearing as a backup dancer, Curiel began her career by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube before moving to Los Angeles, California, where she began choreographing for other artists and dancing. She made a career breakthrough after working with Prince on the music video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait". DaniLeigh was signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2017, releasing mixtapes and singles starting that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicky Doll</span> French drag queen

Karlize Sanchez, known by the stage name Nicky Doll, is a French drag queen, television personality, and musician based in New York City. He is best known as the main host of Drag Race France and a competitor on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diarra Sylla</span> French singer, dancer and model (born 2001)

Diarra Sylla, is a French-Senegalese singer, dancer, actress, compositor and model. She was part of the global pop group Now United, representing Senegal, and left the group in 2020 to pursue her solo career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Pravi</span> French singer (born 1993)

Barbara Piévic, known professionally as Barbara Pravi, is a French singer and songwriter. After signing with Capitol Music France in 2015, she released five extended plays with the label. She represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Voilà", securing second place, the best result for France since 1991. Her debut album On n'enferme pas les oiseaux was released on 27 August 2021.

Alexandra Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012. Isley has worked with artists including Scarface, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Tank and the Bangas, and Lucky Daye. Isley has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Bonnie Banane is a French alternative pop singer based in Paris. Since the release of her first track Muscles in 2012, she has worked alongside producers and artists such as Walter Mecca, Myth Syzer, Gautier Vizioz, Flavien Berger and Varnish La Piscine. She is known for her eccentric music videos, collaborations and appearances on the COLORS platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lola Le Lann</span> French actress (born 1996)

Lola Le Lann is a French actress and singer-songwriter. She is known for her roles in One Wild Moment (2015), A Bluebird in My Heart (2018) and Versus (2019).

Palesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga, professionally known as Zoë Modiga is a South African singer and songwriter. Modiga first gained recognition as contestant on The Voice South Africa 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titiou Lecoq</span> French writer and feminist (born 1980)

Audrey Lecoq, known as Titiou Lecoq, is a French journalist, blogger and novelist, known for her books, blogs and articles about Internet culture and her activism for women's rights.

References

  1. "Crystal Murray (Artist)". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
  2. Nast, Condé (2022-02-04). "Ex-membre du Gucci Gang, Crystal Murray bouleverse les codes de la musique". Vogue France (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  3. André, Julie (2019-04-02). ""Spark Progress : Converse met de jeunes artistes féminines à l'honneur"". Grazia (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  4. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  5. "Dans la voix (et aux pieds) de Crystal Murray | Les Inrocks". www.lesinrocks.com/ (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  6. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  7. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  8. Roose, Nelke (2020-11-17). "On Our Radar: Crystal Murray is the Rising Star of French Soul". Enfnts Terribles. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  9. "Cédric Klapisch signe le nouveau clip de Crystal Murray". Archived from the original on 2021-06-25.
  10. "Meet Crystal Murray: Gucci Gang member, Neo-soul singer, and teenage role model". LOVE. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  11. "A voir : Crystal Murray clippée par Cédric Klapisch". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
  12. "Dappermobster Presents Crystal Murray's Intoxicating New EP "Twisted Bases"" . Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  13. "Crystal Murray – Boss". COLORSxSTUDIOS. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  14. "Dans la voix (et aux pieds) de Crystal Murray". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24.
  15. adminMixte (2021-04-01). "Crystal Murray : la nouvelle princesse soul française". Mixte Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  16. 1 2 "Crystal Murray nous ouvre les portes de son monde". NYLON France. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  17. "Crystal Murray répond à notre questionnaire intime - Les Inrocks". LesInrocks (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  18. Roose, Nelke (2020-11-17). "On Our Radar: Crystal Murray is the Rising Star of French Soul". Enfnts Terribles. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  19. "L'interview FaceTime avec… la chanteuse Crystal Murray". Numéro Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  20. "Crystal Murray unveils new song 'Good Girl Gone Bad'". DIY. 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  21. "Festival VYV : Catherine Ringer, IAM et Katerine à l'affiche de l'édition 2021". France 3 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (in French). 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  22. Murray, Robin (2021-06-08). "Crystal Murray Takes Control With 'Boss'". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  23. 1 2 "Crystal Murray fait monter la température avec le clip de "Like It Nasty" - Les Inrocks". LesInrocks (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  24. "Crystal Murray accomplit sa mue avec le torride "Like It Nasty"". Numéro Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  25. "Avec "Payback", Crystal Murray entend bien récupérer son dû | Les Inrocks". www.lesinrocks.com/ (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  26. TARATATA N°544 (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-07 via mytaratata.com.
  27. Crystal Murray en live chez Radio Nova | Chambre Noire . Retrieved 2024-05-07 via www.youtube.com.
  28. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-07.