While we typically associate house music with male-dominant, white-centric spaces, there’s a rich history embedded within the roots of the genre that is Black and female. With origins in ‘80s Chicago, house music originated as a container for queer and working-class people of color to be the fullest expression of themselves. The movement soon found itself in New York City clubs and sweaty warehouses worldwide, with a colorful array of synthesizers birthing subgenres like jungle and happy hardcore.
Names like Cecilia “CeCe” Peniston, Robin S, DJ Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, and Loleatta Holloway ring among the many who significantly contributed to the genre, yet are the last to be praised. Among them, Crystal Waters shines the brightest.
From studying business and computer science at Howard University to donning twelve number-one Billboard Dance Chart hits, amongst many more musical accolades, Crystal Waters fused soul and electronic to trailblaze a sound completely her own. One of the most sampled records of all time, her career-defining single ‘Gypsy Woman’ is considered the most formative track of dance music. Described by bell hooks as “fierce and politically on the job” due to her socially conscious lyrics and infectious musical style, Crystal Waters singlehandedly encapsulates Black women’s impact on house music.
Born November 19th, 1961, in New Jersey, Waters spawned from a bloodline of musical greats, from jazz musician father Junior Waters to her great-aunt Ethel Waters, who was one of the first Black vocalists in mainstream Hollywood musicals. Her artistic genius was so nurtured, in fact, that her writing made her the youngest person ever inducted into the Poetry Society of America at age 14.
Among hits like ‘100% Pure Love’ and ‘Destination Calabria’, ‘Gypsy Woman’ is a song with its own legacy, having lived several lives since its release in 1991. Becoming a staple for each generation it touches, it’s considered to be dance music’s induction into mainstream. From Tom Misch to T.I. to Mary Mary, everyone has tried their hand at giving the genre-shaping single their own flavor, though nothing can come close to the impact of the original.
Nowadays, alongside motherhood and activism, Crystal Waters continues to live in her house music legacy. She’s actively penning music and hosts a monthly radio/podcast show called I Am House, centered on all things EDM. In the meanwhile, her daughter Ella Nicole carries the baton as a singer-songwriter.
CLASH had the honor of sitting down with the legend to reflect on her legacy and what her plans are next.
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CLASH: I remember knowing when my mom was near in the carpool line when she was picking me up from 3rd grade because ‘Gypsy Woman’ would be blasting from her car. She would talk about all her memories hearing it at the club in Ibiza and to this day it still holds the same power. How crazy is it to witness the longevity of your music as it takes life with every next generation It touches?
CW: I never thought in my whole life my music would reach someone in the 3rd grade. It’s so amazing as the years go on to see how many people have been affected. Your mother was in Spain listening to it? You just don’t think of that. The stories go on and on, it feels pretty good to know that I did something while I was here. Everyone seems to have a good memory associated with my music, so it’s really nice. I feel like after all these years I’m finally getting my recognition. It feels good.
Do you feel like this recognition was delayed or have you just surrendered to vivine timing?
Well you have to remember that when I started, no one thought dance music was going to last. They would always ask me when I was going to do real music, they thought it was a fad. To see it come and grow and expand and evolve is amazing, especially with all the sub-genres like EDM, these DJs are making millions. Maybe I should have just been a DJ! But it’s amazing to see where it’s gone, when I came into it, it was an underground genre and now it’s mainstream. I’m just happy to be a part of the community.
Beyond being a part of it, you’re a pioneer. What’s your take on how gentrified dance music has become?
House music started in Black and latino clubs. I always tell the story of how they credited house music to David Guetta and it’s like “What? Are you kidding me?” I’ve seen it go from Black and latino DJs creating all this music to things getting so gentrified, now these guys can’t even get on some of these major festival lineups. I give credit to EDM, Europeans didn’t get house music at first but they took it and they mastered it and took it to another level, but it does leave out a lot of ethnic groups and females who are having a hard time getting seen. As a white male, you can make six figures off of one hit. Some of us have been out here for 30 years with hits after hits and can’t get on big stages. We still got a battle but that’s the music industry in general. But I’m still here, a lot of us are still here, and we’re still talking.
‘Gypsy Woman’ is one of the most sampled singles of all time. Is there any particular instance you think really did it justice?
Wow! It’s probably a version that’s not as well known, DJ Karizma did a remix I really liked, he did it back in Baltimore. He’s from the original crew. But I really enjoy seeing people take it in a route I didn’t imagine, like T.I. rapping over it. I never expected the hip-hop community to embrace the song. Even Mary Mary did a gospel take. I see people post their versions of it on Instagram and TikTok. It’s so cool.
In that same vein, has there ever been a sample you denied or didn’t like after the fact?
There was a major label that tried to release a version of it with someone else’s vocals and it was bad. I saw the comments about it and the community definitely has my back.
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I think the new Calvin Klein campaign definitely did ‘100% Pure Love’ justice, how did you feel about that?
I love when those licenses come in, haha. It was great that they embraced it, I love how they did it. When you think about those lyrics, you never know how people are going to interpret them. It was so interesting how they did.
I think what you’ve mastered in your work is longevity and timelessness. In a modern industry that relies on going viral and singles that burn out as quickly as they blow up, what advice would you give to any artist who wants their work to truly last the test of time the way yours has?
You’ve heard it before but it’s true, you gotta do it from your heart. You have to love it. I can tell the difference between when I’m really into writing a song versus when I’m just trying to get it done. When I started, people didn’t understand what I was doing but I just had to keep going. I enjoyed being different, I enjoyed being a big fish in this little pond. If you’re different, you have to embrace that and put your heart into it. Trust that it’ll work out.
Within that, who are you listening to now that you’re particularly impressed by?
I love SZA. I love her lyrics, they’re a little sad but they’re real. She’s very creative, I love her harmonies. I really enjoy her songwriting. I also love whoever is writing Chris Brown’s songs. I’m working with some smaller DJs right now who I think are very creative, I love Low Steppa. I’m just very into lyrics and melodies.
Kaytranda is big in the dance realm, are you into his work at all?
He is! I need to listen to more of his stuff, I just did a show that he was on and I’m kind of behind the ball on that. I heard a few things but I need to listen to more.
And your daughter is now in the industry as well! How does it feel to see the music legacy carried on?
Yes she is, Ella Nicole. It’s great because it’s another generation, my father was a musician and my great aunt was a musician so it’s nice to know that there’s another generation that’s continuing the family legacy. I know my grandchildren will continue it, too.
Do you ever fight the urge to interject on her work at all?
She doesn’t want to do dance music, hahaha. She finally gave me some vocals and told me I could get them remixed. I keep telling her she’s going to have to do my shows, I got a couple more years. She needs to learn the choreography so I can put her out there as Crystal Waters.
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It’s incredible that you’re still doing so many shows, you have I Am House radio, tell me about your relationship with music now.
It’s amazing. I was out in San Fransisco and a new producer I met wants to work with me but he looks like he’s 12. I’m like, “I can’t believe these kids still want to work with me.” That’s the good thing about dance music, there’s no ageism. They just want quality. I’m working on this album and it’s finally jelling now, it’s taking me a while but there’s still stuff I want to say and put out there. I’m happy that people still want to work with me and hear from me. I feel very lucky, I feel like I’m still part of the community.
You’re the queen of the community. Does your show routine look different now than it did back then or are you still spending all night at the club after your set?
I was definitely in the club back in the day, we used to call it “chasing the sunshine” because when we finally left the club the sun would be rising. Nowadays, my dancers like to go out and I’m like “eh.” I do like to hang out after the show though, I’ll hang out with the people backstage and promoters. I love meeting everybody, they’re all so kind to me.
What’s your secret to maintaining your sense of youth? Your vibrancy is palpable.
Other than the white wine, which I always tell people is a preservative, I have a strict spiritual practice every morning. It lasts me an hour and a half, I do meditation, visualizing, affirmations, writing. I send out positive energy because I believe it comes back to you. I wake up and I say “I’m happy, I’m healthy, I’m wealthy.” Those are the first things I say when I open my eyes.
And lastly, is there anything we can know about the upcoming project or is it still in the works?
I’m still working on it! My team is definitely a little frustrated because I can’t land on a next single but it’s feeling like it’s coming together. I want it to be right, I don’t want to just put out anything.
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Words: Jazmin Kylene
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