Story

Crystal Tamar is a natural star. The moment she walks into a room, her magnetic energy and striking style command attention before she even says a word. But when she sings, it is her exceptional vocal dexterity, effortless breath control, and deep emotional connection to the lyrics that reveal where her truest artistic passion lies.

A native of La Marque—a suburb of Houston, Texas—Crystal puts her multi-faceted talents on full display with her sophomore EP, This Changes Everything. True to its title, the six-song project is drawn directly from the vulnerable love experiences of her personal life. Produced by multi Grammy-nominated Kosine (Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Tamar Braxton, Justin Bieber) and Grammy award-winning Young Fyre (Kehlani, Tank, Tamar Braxton, Britney Spears), the album features what Crystal calls a “project soul” sound. The music draws inspiration from the classic R&B she grew up on, as well as the soothing tracks she turns to in her most emotional moments, citing influences like Tamar Braxton, PJ Morton, Mali Music, and Jonathan McReynolds.

This Changes Everything showcases Crystal’s impressive versatility across a variety of musical landscapes:

• “Whachoo Doin?!” – The project’s first single, featuring an effortless nod to Houston’s classic chopped-and-screwed production.
• “In My Prime” – A high-energy track delivering pulsating bravado built for the clubs.
• “Playtime” – A dynamic mid-tempo track that serves as a masterclass in vocal styling.
• “How Long (Forever)” – A sexy, electric, and bass-guitar-driven slow grind that is instantly addictive.
• “Forever” – A classic, romantic song destined to be a two-step favorite.

The project marks Crystal’s second EP since her 2019 self-titled debut, which includes the infectious songs “U Gon Love Me,” “Serenade,” and “Nowhere.” In the years since, a period of deep soul-searching and a return to live concerts sparked her desire to create even more emotional, relatable music.

Singing has always been Crystal’s first love. Growing up, she achieved local acclaim performing in a group with her sisters and cousin. While attending Prairie View A&M University, she formed another R&B group with friends and showcased her exceptional performance skills as a member of the Black Foxes, the university’s acclaimed Marching Storm dance line. Following college, she served as captain of the NFL’s Houston Texans cheerleading squad before receiving the call to join Sophia Fresh—T-Pain’s girl group signed to his Nappy Boy Entertainment imprint on Atlantic Records.

During her time with Sophia Fresh, Crystal collaborated with industry giants including Kanye West, CeeLo Green, Marsha Ambrosius, T.I., and Kandi Burruss. The group’s 2010 single “This Instant,” featuring T-Pain, was featured on the Step Up 3D movie soundtrack. Following her time with the group, Crystal relocated to Northern California to launch her solo career.

In addition to her music, Crystal is an accomplished voice-over artist. Notably, she provided the voice of Josephine Baker in an exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her voice-acting credits also include characters in the animated comedy Freaknik: The Musical and the CG-animated film The Sky Princess, which stars Vivica A. Fox.
Crystal’s dedication to her music continues to earn her high praise from top industry creators. As producer Kosine puts it:

“She’s serious about her craft. She is passionate. She’s never brought a bad idea to me. Whenever she sings something, I’m just like, ‘That’s tight. Let’s record it.'”