Interviewed & Written by Genius Japan | January 30, 2024There are only a few artists who persevere through the music industry and get to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Japanese-American singer-songwriter Crystal Kay is one of them. The biracial singer will celebrate 25 years in the industry in 2024. Kay gained fame thanks to her third studio album, Almost Seventeen, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. With more than 13 albums in her repertoire, having sold millions of albums and performed for thousands of fans across the globe, Kay is one of the best-known artists in Japan. Thanks to her diverse background, Kay was able to establish a unique sound and style that also allowed other mixed-race artists to step into the spotlight. Kay's legacy is broad and sprinkled with glimmering moments unlike any other.

Genius Japan was fortunate enough to chat with Kay about her journey in music, her legacy, and what she hopes to achieve next in life. Take a look!
Credits: Yulia Shur──Hello Crystal, thank you for chatting with Genius Japan! Congratulations on the upcoming 25th anniversary. It might be hard, but if you could describe the past 25 years in one phrase, what would it be?

Thank you!

"Crazy unique long fast full colorful amazing universal journey!"

──Since your major label debut at the age of 13 with "Eternal Memories," you have been releasing numerous hit songs with different styles. However, what would you say has remained the same about your music over the years?

I think what has remained the same over the years is that I reflect peoples' raw emotions, hopes, positivity and realness of life through my lyrics. I've also mixed English and Japanese lyrics in my songs since the beginning so that anyone in the world can enjoy and connect to my music.

── Growing up with a Korean mother and an African-American father and after being able to speak four languages, including Korean and French, how has your multicultural background influenced your music and identity as an artist?

I do enjoy listening and learning different languages, but I only studied French for a year in middle school, so I am nowhere near fluent! I think I am super lucky to be able to understand three cultures, while also living in Japan, as well as on a military base. My background has enabled me to be open minded with a solid worldview. This has allowed me to incorporate my American side through my pop, R&B and soul influenced sound, with a hint of very particular Japanese melodies. No one has seen a Black and Korean girl sing J-Pop and R&B with Japanese and English lyrics mixed so fluidly like me. So, embracing my uniqueness has certainly influenced my entire style, both sonically and visually.
──In previous interviews, you have shared that your musical influences include Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, and Michael Jackson. How have these artists and their music shaped your sound and artistic direction?

I was instantly influenced by their visuals and choreography. I loved to dance like them too! I wanted to make music that I could sing and dance to in order to put on a great performance.

Sonically, I would incorporate cool beats and sounds I loved, or sometimes I would just try to capture the feeling of the tracks I liked but make them my own. Early in my career, I was more focused on a heavily R&B sound and vocal techniques that were employed by my idols because that was what I loved. I wanted to be like them! But as I've grown both as an artist and as a human, I started focusing more on the impact of my lyrics and originality in my music.
Credits: Watanabe Hayato
──Looking back at your journey from your debut in 1999 to the present, which albums do you think were defining moments in your expansive career?

This is a tough one because they are all my babies and represent a particular moment of my career. I think my first album is a pretty heavy hitter from an overall production standpoint. Almost 17 was the album that really started putting me on the map and grabbing people's attention. The sound was very much Western Top 40, and a lot of the tracks were catchy ear grabbers. I don't think anyone was doing R&B in that way in Japan at the time.

──Similarly, what were some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you faced, and how did they help you grow both as a person and an artist?

One of my biggest obstacles was when I struggled to accept the very J-Pop driven song of "Koi ni Ochitara" and after that, balancing the style I wanted with the songs that the label wanted into my albums. I remember when it was decided that I would be singing the theme song for the drama Koi ni Ochitara, Boku no Seiko no Himitsu I was not feeling the demo or the song at all. The producers and everyone loved it, but it was just not the sound I had been doing previously, and it was just such an internal struggle for me even during the recording. Because of that hit, the label changed my sound and I feel we missed the opportunity to really hone in on my sound. Having singles on the "Koichi" type sound and then balancing album tracks with more R&B driven sounds was how we went about it. But thanks to "Koi ni Ochitara" which I now understand is a great song, people know who I am. As years went by and seeing how much this song impacted people, I really paid attention to the lyrics and the energy the song emits. This turned out to be a defining moment for me as I was able to come to terms with this sound and realize my charm as a singer.
Credits: Aya Shimizu
──Looking back at your career, what were some of your pinch-me moments?
There are several! I will never forget when I sang at the Royal Albert Hall for the 25th anniversary world tour of Final Fantasy singing "Eyes on Me" and getting a standing ovation! I also can't believe I sang "Endless Love" with the living legend, Lionel Richie! Another is having Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, my idol Janet's producers, produce not one but three songs for me! Having a relationship with them and the privilege to perform with them last year at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival was wild.

I can't forget the Yoyogi National Stadium surprise performance of "Revolution" I did with my idol Namie Amuro! I could not believe I was on stage with her, and that roar of the stadium… I bawled after performing and walking under the stage. I know there are still more pinch-me moments to come.

──You have performed around the world, and you must have several memorable interactions with your fans at concerts and events. Are there any that you will never forget?

I'll never forget my very first show in the US was when I was in New York about 11 years ago that I did as a challenge before going back to Japan. I had no idea if anyone would come. I only promoted it on Instagram and it sold out in minutes! The venue even called me asking to do another. It was at the Rockwood Music Hall in the Lower Eastside in a small 60 person room, but it was packed and so much fun! I'll never forget the feeling of joy and gratitude I had seeing my actual US fans in the flesh and hearing them sing all my songs so loud. People told me they had driven for hours to see me from other states and waited for 10 years to see me. I couldn't believe it. I will definitely never forget those two shows.

──You did an annual Christmas live concerts at Billboard-LIVE in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama during 2023 Christmas. How did it feel, were you excited?

It was so much fun! I feel like I've unlocked something inside of me; I was completely ready to give it my absolute all and they ended up being such amazing shows. The energy was great and I felt a surge of excitement coming from the crowd during my performance since things are finally going back to normal after the pandemic.
Credits: Aya Shimizu
──Speaking of Billboard-LIVE, which is a prestigious venue where audiences enjoy live music and dining, how does it differ from your typical concert setting in terms of the stage direction and performance?

It's a more intimate setting with shorter set times. While it's tough coming up with a short setlist, we can play around with the music by producing acoustic or quieter versions of songs. I get to engage with the audience with call and responses, and focus on playing with my vocals. It's also a much more mature audience and setting, so there's a little more talking and interacting with the crowd. I guess this live is a bit more simplified than a big stage set up, so the fans get special version of songs and sometimes mashups.
Credits: Yulia Shur
──In 2021, you released your first cover album, I SING, in which you sang Official Hige Dandism's "I LOVE...," and it was very well-loved by fans and with so many positive comments posted on your Karaoke Battle series with celebrity friends, would you consider releasing another cover album in the future? Which songs would you include?

I am open to the idea of another cover album, but it has to have the perfect track list! It was hard coming up with which songs to cover and we went through so many songs and singing demos. It turns out that it was way more interesting and fun for me to sing male songs! I think I would sing more male songs from maybe the Showa and Heisei era. That being said, I do love me some Namie Amuro, Speed, as well as Maria Takeuchi, Hikaru Utada and Hibari Misora.

──Are there any new singers you see yourself in? Any that you think audiences should look out for?

I see myself in Joyce Wrice, in a sense she has this really nice combination of nostalgia with her early 2000s R&B sound, as well as her being biracial too. I also see myself in Daichi Yamamoto who I had the pleasure of collaborating with in my song, "Gimme Some." He is so talented and has this great mix of Japanese and English that's seamless. His sound is so universal with dope beats and clever flows. He's also very shy and sensitive which kind of reminds me of my younger self. They are both definitely great artist people should be looking out for!
Credits: Watanabe Hayato
──Throughout your career, you have collaborated with other famous international artists. Do you have any from the current global music scene you'd like to work with?

I'd love to work with Amaarae and Nekfeu again, and feature them on my music as well. I'm such a fan of XG and would love to work with them. I'd also love to work with Yoon Mirae, who is also Korean and Black just like me, and has paved the way for hip hop and R&B in Korea. Troye Sivan would be fun to work with too! I'd love to work with dance producers like Fred Again... and I know I could make some fun funk disco tracks with Mark Ronson.
XG
──You have a new album and tour planned for next year. Can you give us any spoilers for what fans can expect?
I can definitely tell you about my latest single, "That Girl," produced by Taku Takahashi from M-Flo. It is a dance anthem that everyone can enjoy with super fun up tempo vibes I know my fans will love dancing or getting ready to! I will have a tour to celebrate my 25th anniversary in Japan and I am planning a small US tour next year! I think my LA shows I did last summer ignited something in me and my US fans.

──As a songwriter, what is your approach to making music? Where does it usually start for you, and where do you most of your inspiration come from?

I am still learning as a songwriter, but I am always inspired by the hearing the track first and melody first. Key words would pop into my head and I would just sing gibberish on the melody, then continue to build from there. I also have some words, lines or feelings written in my notebook that I've saved that I would sometimes try to apply to the lyrics. I admire great writers who can just write first then add the music later. I also enjoy co-writing with people because it really helps broaden my writing and train of thought. I think I get my inspiration from personal events and strong feelings or epiphanies that come to me. I also get a lot of inspiration from traveling to new places and being in nature.
Troye Sivan
──Despite celebrating 25 years in the industry, we know that you still have a long career ahead of you, what is something you want to try next? Any kind of music you want to try, films, dramas, stage work, etc.

I feel like producing or writing for other artists might be fun and fulfilling. I definitely want to venture more into acting on film and TV. I had the privilege to play the "Leading Player" in the legendary Broadway Musical Pippin and that was very invigorating. If there are musicals I really gravitate toward or I feel I can help elevate, I'd love to challenge myself again.

──As you approach your 25th anniversary in the industry, what impact do you hope your music and career have had on your fans and the music scene in Japan?

I hope that I have been able to be a voice that represents people's emotions and uplifting those who have listened to my music. I hope I have paved the way for R&B to become more mainstream in Japan. I also hope I've been a trailblazer or role model for the up-and-coming biracial talent that will shape the entertainment industry and culture in Japan.

──What message would you like to send out to your fans who have supported you throughout your incredible 25-year journey?

I just want to say a huge, big thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to sing and perform for you all. Thank you so much for listening to my music and supporting me throughout the years! I will be singing forever and hope I can continue being the voice for your life's soundtrack!
Credits: Yulia Shur
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──Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedules to chat with us, Crystal Kay!You can read all the lyrics and translations from Crystal Kay and her new single, "THAT GIRL," on Genius now.

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