Meet : CRYSTAL MURRAY
Crystal Murray is still brimming with youth, yet has already made a solid name for herself in the music & fashion industry.
At just 13, she became part of all-female, Parisian collective, Gucci Gang, who were simply “four girlfriends who loved street wear and vintage shopping” yet soon became the most sought-after group of young women, djing and hosting extravagant parties and being branded as the 'new generation' of creatives. A year on, she launched Safe Place – an open online platform which gave a voice to people who have suffered sexual abuse and harassment.
She is now leaving her mark in a different way, bringing vivacious energy and effortlessly cool style to the world of music. Having released her debut EP during lockdown, she’s more keen than ever to get out and perform. Her latest video for CREEPS (ft. Elheist), the second part of her ‘HOTEL ROOM SERIES’, has just been released and is a total work of art.
“Creeps" is a song I wrote after a party me and my friend “crashed” - the people were very closed minded, the music had no drums, and the minute we started playing our music and opening up the room to another vibe that was more colourful and more open, everyone started dancing… There is always a moment where you feel different when you’re a person of colour, I wanted to bring more beauty to this kind of situation - calling ourselves words like freaks and creeps, because we’re not ashamed of being different. And in the end, we’re the one making you move, and we are what you love!"
We caught up with Crystal and talked about her sense of style, what it was like to be a part of GUCCI GANG and what it means to be Parisian…
To start with, how are you feeling today? What's the current COVID-situation like in France?
I’m feeling quite good, the atmosphere of the world is a bit hard to handle but trying very hard to see the positive side by working and creating a lot of new music and new content. I’m still into getting good energies together and making incredible music and visuals in these dark times. Paris is on lockdown but you will never really lock up our creativity!
What does it mean to you to be Parisian?
Having the french taste and European mindset
Do you think growing up in Paris has had an influence on your music? Who did you grow up listening to?
I grew up in an Afro-American musician family, we come from Gospel. Soul has been in my blood since forever. I grew up listening to Coltrane, Minnie Ripperton, Marvin Gaye.. my base in music comes from Afro-American music but the fact that I grew up in Paris really made me expand my music taste by listening to French rap like Booba or NTM. My Spanish mother was also always playing some Cuban music like Manolito Simonet and African music like Oumou Sangaré & Orchestra Baobab. I really have a lot of different references from all over the world, I think the fact that I'm mixed raced and live in Europe opened me up to multiple influences.
Can you tell us a bit about Gucci Gang? As that's where the internet first met you, tell us about this wild ride.
Gucci Gang started very naturally as four girlfriends who loved street wear and vintage shopping. Everything escalated very quickly and the media made us some super over the top influencers when we were just kids with cool sneakers - or that’s how it felt... It was very fun to live all that but suddenly at 14 I was DJ-ing in night clubs and had access to every single club in Paris. It was a bit over the top but I think it built me to know what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it ! I still think this made me grow a little too fast though.
What was the best thing about Gucci Gang?
Sisterhood.
We have to talk about fashion. How would you describe your style and what fashion rules do you live by?
I would say - Punkish Cowboy. Oh and LAYERING, I love looking like a crazy lady when I go out, it makes me feel confident.
Who are your style inspirations ?
My mother, all my good pieces comes from her old closets. Vintage Miyake, some crazy summer dress from this brand I don’t even know called Maria, and loads of coats. I stole her style kind of!
Do you think that fashion is important in your musical career?
For me it is, because I’m so into clothes, and showing a certain kind of persona in how I dress each day - I’m still building it slowly.
For people who haven't heard your music, what song would you suggest for them to start with & why?
Probably "August Knows", I think this one is timeless and I will always love it. I actually can’t listen to the rest of the songs on my first project because I have so many new things coming, and the sound is very different. I’m 19, I’m a free spirit and like to have the possibility to do many different sounds that still fit with me and my changing emotions. I think its about emotions, not genres. Music should be placed with emotions - the new generation can’t be put in boxes anymore.
How did it feel bringing out your EP during lockdown? You must be so excited to release music under more normal conditions...
I am more exited to perform and party really if I’m honest! I just love performing.
What's your go-to track to dance to when you need a pick-me-up?
Amaarae- ‘Sad Gurlz Love Money’ and also Brodinski ft. Zeeloperz - ‘Master Section’
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Ojerime, Tirzah, Serpentwithfeet.
Picture this: You've just had your first big night out post-covid. In an ideal world, where have you come from and what have you been doing?
I have probably come from an outdoor party, probably organised by Boukan Records with a super good sound system, and incredible DJ playing.
Now you're on the Last Bus home. What are you listening to? Are you winding down to some slow jazz or keeping the party going with some upbeat songs?
WhenI’m leaving a party, I feel at ease with my body. I’ve connected to every centimetre of my body by dancing and feeling the music from head to toe. The music was so crazy that I need a little moment of quiet, and after that moment I will play a French song by 2 very magical artists. Flavien Berger feat Bonnie Banane - ‘Contre-Temps’, its a 10 minute song that goes through so many different phases and they are the exact phases I want to go through after a night of letting myself go. Every moment of this song is an ode to love, and in the middle it turns silent in the exact moment you want to hear your own breathing, and its goes back very slowly, with Flaviens voice taking over your ears… amazing really.
