Crystal Denise Jones is a spoken word artist and social worker from Augusta, GA. On the stage and to the population she serves, she is known as Ms. Crystal. Ms. Crystal started performing at a very early age in church by reciting bible verses, commercials and acting in plays. She continued acting and reciting poetry in middle and high school. In 8th grade, she wrote a rap for the anniversary of the United States Constitution. Her poems, “My Dilemma” and “Time”, were published in Namaste Ink’s Summer/Fall 2019 issue. Ms. Crystal released her first single, “Forever Cocky”, on October 11, 2019. She is featured on Whoop Dolla’s single, “Hard Times”. She plans to start working on her first EP this summer.
Lisa: Hi Crystal! What first got you into music?
Crystal: Church and my parents. Especially my late father.
Lisa: What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Crystal: I do not feel I have a music career. I am just starting my journey. I am a social
worker.
Lisa: How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Crystal: Inspirational and enlightening
Lisa: What is your creative process like?
Crystal: I usually am the most creative when I am working out and listening to music. Especially if I am taking long walks outside.
Lisa: What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
Crystal: It has been hard to balance my life with pursuing my clinical license, my creative writing, and my father’s death. Recently I lost my uncle on April 8. I lost my best friend to Covid-19 on April 17. I have been looking after my mom since my father’s death. It is incredibly challenging.
Lisa: I really loved your song “Forever Cocky”. Can you tell me more about it?What’s it about, and how did you get inspiration to write it?
Crystal: Cocky is the mascot for University of South Carolina-Columbia, my graduate school Alma Mater. Cocky is also an adjective to describe self-confidence. After 13 years as a Case Manager for different organizations, I decided to return to college. I just poured a lot of my history and experiences into it.
Lisa: If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item
would you take with you and why?
Crystal: Worldwide Church of God Hymnal
Lisa: Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have
continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still
love to work with in the future?
Crystal: Tupac, Whitney Houston, and Rod Stewart Who would you still love to work with in the future? Rod Stewart. I have something written for us already.
Lisa: What can we expect from your upcoming EP, that you’re working on right
now?
Crystal: Transparency. I have not always been so wise and focus.
Lisa: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Crystal: My mom always tells me to just be myself. Once I decided to be myself, good things started to happen.
Lisa: At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
Crystal: Confidence and Awareness
Lisa: What’s next for you?
Crystal: I really do not know. With the current pandemic and political climate, I am benefiting my community as a social worker and an artist. I am incredibly lucky to have two things I am passionate about and find satisfying.
Thank you!
Follow Crystal: Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Google Play
