Crystal Allen: Reinvention

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Crystal Allen?

I started rapping when a friend of mine from school approached me to start a group. My friend, Pook Capone, orchestrated another female friend of mine and myself to start a girl group, but the other chick left when she found a boyfriend. *Laughs*

Now you’re a native of Detroit, Michigan, correct? So growing up in Motor City, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

The Detroit influences I had were definitely Parliament Funkadelic, Awesome Dre, Nicky D., Eminem, and J Dilla.

At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

Once I got a taste of it, I was addicted immediately! After college, I started to pursue it persistently.

Initially you were linked with the Bass Brothers, the sibling twosome who are responsible for introducing the music world to global superstar Eminem — How did that connection even come about? Does that mean you were signed to F.B.T. Productions at some point? And, why do you feel that nothing more – as far as the musical union – materialized from that working relationship?

Yeah, I was signed to F.B.T.; my brother was friends with Mark and Jeff, and that’s how I made my introduction to those guys. Once Marshall hit the map, it was a wrap for pretty much everybody else on the label. But it is undeniable, can’t take nothing from that dude.

With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

My overall sound is that I’m a “Queerdo.” I’m more so talking about s*** that I know, and s*** that I think about, after I smoke weed. *More laughs*

In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?

You get inspired by just life; anything you see, conversations that you (have) over here, food you see people eating.

Your latest single / video is entitled “Fake” — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?

“Fake” came from actually being in Los Angeles alone, broke as f***, but wanting to go to the studio.

“Fake” comes courtesy of your brand new EP, Hemp + Lesbians — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

“Fake” represents every rapper being broke, and the struggle that goes into trying to make something pop off.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

It’s a lot of tongue and cheek mixed with some actual feelings; you take from it what you want.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Jill Scott – she’s the best wordsmith in the business -and Ari Lennox, she’s just sweet.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Fox Theater, Detroit.

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

I really don’t give a f***, I’m going to keep doing me and making music about the s*** I’m going through.

Do you have any other outside / additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Oh, yeah, I definitely want to do some community outreach type thing. I know how poor I was coming up…if I can stop somebody from that feeling of insecurity, I absolutely would.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Just being around the process while Eminem was being thrust into the world was fulfilling for me.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

On somebody stage doing or saying some silly s***!

As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Crystal?

Let’s try my hand at this comedy and acting s***.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention? And, lastly, any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

I think I’m too stubborn to stop, so I’m going to keep going until something pops. I ain’t stopped yet, so we’ll see.