Last week, ThatPLUM was blessed to interview the vocally talented singer Krissy, Krissy. By now many of you have heard her hit single “Dreams” which popularity has grew from the states to overseas. The Brooklyn born singer has received high critical acclaim from top music executives and some even comparing her style of music to the late great Amy Winehouse. MTV declared Krissy Krissy as the “NEXT” big star last year following her EP release “Above All” [which she dedicated to her father who passed shortly after she her EP debut. Growing up in a pentecostal church, Krissy musical influence spawned from the likes of Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Aretha Franklin and more. From a young age, Krissy knew singing was her true passion and she’d often sing cover songs from her her music idols which resulted in her receiving the nickname “Frederica” among her church community.
However, Krissy world took a transformation shift. At age 15, Krissy Krissy was kicked out of choir and church for kissing a girl. Devastated, confused, and trying to sort through the growing pains of youth proved painful for the young singer. At age 17, she moved out of her family-of-8’s crowded two-bedroom apartment where they would literally have to dodge bullets at night and walk en massed to the bodega for safety.
Soon there after Krissy, Krissy discovered that she was becoming a woman and undergoing the growing pains of love and self acceptance was necessary for her to finally break-free it all [the stereotypes, the guilt, and public opinion]. It was Krissy’s strong will and strong both with her dad that led her to channel her true musicianship.
“With the help of my father, who was my everything, I learned strength, courage, and self acceptance and channeled all of that into my music – into something positive. I’m not bitter toward the church. All that practice in church on the pulpit paved the way for what I do now. I still get the crowd going like I did when I was little,”
When we caught up Krissy at her studio we talked about her journey into music, staying authentic to who she is, other musical influences whom she admires now and or would like to work with, her hit single ‘Dreams’, and the release of her new LP which is dropping later this year. Take a listen to a few excerpts and the full interview below:
On Why She Doesn’t Like Music Genre Titles:
I just hate labels period. I hate to be told or to be put in a certain box and that came from a young age. I was raised Pentacostal. And you’re told to ONLY wear skirts and only to do this and that… and I found myself becoming something I wasn’t. Being stuck in something I wasn’t and I decided
On Departing From The Church And Its Impact On Her Music Now:
“I didn’t decide to leave the church, I was asked to leave the church cause of how I was …I was so visible at the church so . because what I did contradicted what they believed in. But it’s okay. Churches are run by people and people make mistakes. But in all honesty, it caused me to be so much real with what music that I like. It triggered me to listen to alot of Melissa Etheridge and Elton John [these singer/songwriters that actually believe in what they sing] which led me over to my day and age type of music Pink and Adele. I like conceptual writing – Living what your singing! “
On Her Father’s Passing And Tributing The Song And Title Name Of The EP “Above All” To Him:
“As Life evolved for me, I realized that tomorrow is never promised. In the midst of me releasing my EP ” Above All” Unfortunately I had a big loss in my ife [my father] … and I ws trying to find and answer – and they’re’s never an answer. I was reading some things to uplift me and I was reading books [like ‘The Secret’] and I came across the book “The Alchemist” and it says: when you want something all the universe conspires to helping you achieve it. And I wasn;t talking to about anything materialistic things or things that are not common sense [like wanting my dad to come back] I wanted peace, direction, trust, success and when I started believing that those are things that’s can happen within myself- those are possibilities] that I can accomplish that’ when everything started happening. My team and I were on the same path and sometimes my manager Dennis [would often say] now WOW Kris doors are opening up, you dad is opening the doors.”
Krissy also details her last moments with her dad, her new album, and more. Watch the full interview below:
Bonus: Krissy’s new video: “Suspicious”
Krissy’s ‘Above All’ is available on itunes NOW. It’s PLUM CERTIFIED and worth a download.