DJ Ron: So, what's the difference between working with a major label, an indie label and then now back to a major label? What's the difference say, between being on Mercury and being on Strictly and being on Effin and then being back on Sony? Do you notice a difference between those situations?
Crystal: Now, Effin has the record here in America and Sony has it overseas. Strictly was a whole other thing, they were going to be changed, but it's more money and there's more organization and people who are at major labels usually have done this a lot longer. So I guess it feels more organized, but with the smaller labels you make more money.
DJ Ron: And do you ever think though with the small the labels, the people are a little more passionate about the projects?
Crystal: I find that the same passion, it's to me it's like you know, they may work harder because it's a smaller set of people because they have more at stake. But when somebody really likes a song, it's the same passion. When it was labels and they get a song and they really like it, I think it's about the same.
DJ Ron: Talking about passion, I saw My Time on the top of like two or three different UK club charts.
Crystal: It went number one here in the US also.
DJ Ron: Yes, I see on the Billboard Club Chart, congratulations!
Crystal: Yes, and that's my tenth, my tenth, it may be eleven because I think I'm missing one. I'm going to call the office today and say what about that one, yes, it's my tenth number one.
DJ Ron: Let's go back to the beginning, how did you decide to pursue music?
Crystal: I went to a psychic and she told me that there was something I needed to do with my voice. So I started taking some of my poems and turning them into songs.
DJ Ron: How did you choose to make dance music?
Crystal: It really chose me. A friend of mine knew The Basement Boys so he hooked us up.
DJ Ron: And with the Basement boys you did "Gypsy Woman," what was it like the first time you heard Gypsy Woman in a club? on the radio?
Crystal: I was in shock. I had recorded "Gypsy Woman" almost two years before. Then it went overseas. It came back over here and hit out of nowhere. It was just a fortunate turn of events.
DJ Ron: Do people recognize you on the street and go "la da dee la doo dow?"
Crystal: All the time, especially in places like New York or LA. But they don't sing. It's usually just the standard pictures and autographs.
DJ Ron: The In Living Color spoof - how did you feel then .. (vs now in reruns)
Crystal: It really was a good ace in the hole for my career. A great tool for me.
DJ Ron: Over the years, you have made some interesting musical choices.
For example, what was the inspiration - to redo the Price is Right theme?
Crystal: It was a producer thing. Gladys Pizarro called and said she was sending a track to me that she wanted me to write a song to. When I heard it I got a big grin. I thought, well that a musical hook if I've ever heard one. This will certainly be recognizable.
DJ Ron: So, how do you find producers and remixers for your music?
Crystal: I have nothing to do with that.
DJ Ron: Do they just call you and say hey, can you come on down?
Crystal: No, the labels take it. I mean, if it was something special I would, but the labels just take the acapella off the track and send it to the remixers and whoever does the best job is the ones that get placed on the CDs.
DJ Ron: The original songs that you write, do you write them by yourself and then you find a producer to work with you on them? Or do you get a track and you sing along to a track?
Crystal: Usually there's a track, somebody has this fantastic track that has my name written all over it and they come to you. Then I listen, if I like it I say you know, let's do it, let's see what comes up.
