84: Wading in Crystal Waters

Multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Crystal Waters — whose chart-topping ’90s hits include “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” and “100% Pure Love,” — has been in the industry for over three decades. Music journalists say Waters paved the way for many Black and female artists in dance music at a time when critics quickly shunned the genre as a passing fad. Unfortunately, her new singles fail to get the attention of today’s commercial radio or digital music programmers. The acclaimed singer tells I SEE U that payola still exists and she has to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for her songs to gain airplay and notoriety. Join us as host Eddie Robinson explores the life and career of house music goddess, Crystal Waters. She chats unguarded about surviving a music industry that rewards certain white electronic dance artists but neglects DJ’s and producers of color who represent the genre’s original creators. The Howard University scholar also acknowledges the profound impact of how a Black, cultural phenomenon in American television played a significant role in undermining her pursuit for more stardom.