Interview by Tim "Styles" Sanchez

I understand that you got your start singing in your father’s church. Take us back to those days.

Krys: I grew up in a Baptist church singing Gospel. My dad had branched off – he’s a retired pastor now. He had his own ministry for 15 years. When he decided to take on the ministry full time, I ended up having my first audience with his ministry – which was a homeless ministry in West Hollywood, CA off of Sunset Blvd. It was a humbling experience because I met a lot of really special people who really touched my life.

Wow. So you guys were dealing with the un-glamorous side of the gospel ministry.

Krys: I have stories for days. Of course there are the crazy people but there were a lot of people that you would never think are homeless - some even used to be famous or lawyers. It’s mind blowing how lives can change. Sometimes all it takes is drugs or even just losing a job. I did meet a lot of special people that changed my life. It was the homeless ministry that made me realize that music is where my heart is at and that singing is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I remember when I was a little girl that I would sing simple songs like “Jesus Loves You” or “Amazing Grace” and I would have people come up to me and tell me that I touched their soul while crying. That really made a monumental difference in my life and made me realize that this is what I want to do.

So you were singing in the church, but how did you go from that to making a career out of this?

Krys: My dad decided to concentrate more on his family because we were having some financial problems. We needed to make sure that we had a place to live. My dad told us that he was going to trust in God and let him guide us. The Lord let him know that it was time for him to retire, so my dad retired. My dad who is also a musician, growing up he introduced me to so many people. I was exposed to a lot of gospel, blues and rock n’ roll artists. My dad used to do publicity for Motown and a group called The Mama’s & Papa’s. I was exposed to an amazing amount of musical talent that a normal child wouldn’t get. I was so little that I didn’t realize the significance of some of these people, like Michelle Phillips from The Mama’s & Papa’s. I would sit next to her all of the time, yet I didn’t know who she was – so I would just play with my Barbie dolls. Singing just became a part of me. I guess I am just like my father. It could be 110 degrees outside and I would suck it up and deal with it just for the sake of music and my dad is the same way.

I started out in a Gospel group called “All of God’s Children.” We were fortunate enough to perform with Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, and even for President Bill Clinton. I just loved the spotlight and I loved the attention. I love performing and I am just an entertainer.

 So what happened to the group?

Krys: The group was sponsored by a millionaire named Lou Adler. I guess he just lost interest. But Gospel turned in to R & B by listening to music like SWV, Boyz II Men, and Teena Marie. R & B became what I wanted to sing – and then R & B gave way to Pop – and that’s where I am at now.

You being a spiritual person, was there ever a conflict about going from Gospel to secular R & B?      

Krys: I’ve had people judge me about it like, “If you love God so much? Why aren’t you doing Gospel?” It’s usually people that don’t have a relationship with the Lord who ask that. Honestly, that is not where the Lord has led me to. If the Lord tells me to do Gospel then I will do Gospel. I don’t want to do something just because I think its right. I want to do something because I know its right. I know that I have the Lord’s blessing because he has been opening all of these doors for me. I truly believe that as long as I stay humble and continue to keep my eyes on Jesus, that everything will be fine.

 Your dad is cool with it too?

Krys: Yeah. He is absolutely fine with it. He was in the music game for many years – and he still is. He does publicity and he works with movie companies.

That religious background must help when it comes to avoiding that crazy TMZ-like behavior that other female singers are known for.

Krys: Exactly, I have a foundation. But it’s not about me super-super spiritual. I just acknowledge the fact that God is active and present in my life. I don’t preach “Jesus this or Jesus that.”

Right, I’ve never heard you preach in your music. So how is your career going now? Take us to present day status.

Krys: For the past couple of years, I’ve had some songs on the radio. I had one with the rapper Problem called “My Life” that was doing really good for a bit but it didn’t take off like I had hoped it would. We didn’t have the right backing or anybody behind the record. I ended up linking up with a producer named Dem Jointz and we did a bunch of mixtape songs. He was shopping me around and finally things have been popping off. People are interested in signing me. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with the talented producer Ryan Leslie. I went in just to reference a couple of songs for him and our chemistry ended up being so great musically, that he wanted to sign me at that time. One of our songs ended up getting placed on the Danity Kane album called “Ohh Ahh.”  Then a 2^nd song of ours got leaked and that was called “Next 2 Ya.” After that, Ryan was like, “Yo Krys. I want to sign you.” Right now, I have a song on the radio with Bangloose called “Last Call” produced by Dem Jointz.

Are you going to sign with Ryan Leslie?

Krys: Yes, it’s official. But before even signing paperwork, he was already reppin’ me. He’s been pushing me in the U.K. first with the “Next 2 Ya” song. He wants to start me off overseas. So I have “Next 2 Ya” overseas and “Last Call” over here going right now.

That’s great! So tell me about some of the hardships that you’ve had trying to break in to the music industry.  

Krys: Being a woman in this industry is very tough. It’s been hard because a lot of times you have to get yourself crackin’ before labels or any others will even take a look at you. The only advice I can tell other artists is to get a buzz going for yourselves. Keep your name poppin’ in the street. Also remember that you have to crawl before you walk. That’s the advice that Bangloose gave to me. Some people go in to this with a super-star mentality from the get-go, but you do have to crawl before you walk.

Back on the subject of being a woman, it’s hard because there were times where I was just really trying to work and hungry for music – and dudes would come at me foul. They would be like, “What are you going to give me?” You got me twisted for real – I am not that type of chick.

Is this fellow artists and producers doing that?

Krys: It can be artists or producers. Recently I had a big name producer, I am not going to put his name on blast, but he came at me so foul. That really discouraged me. I was basically like, F.U. – let me keep it pushin’. Some people are like that I guess. Some are used to that kind of currency. When that happens, it can be very discouraging. At the same time, you just have to stay humble and trust in God.

 Are you working on any projects right now?

Krys: I am. Aside from working on catalogues and writing for other artists, I am working on my album.

Why haven’t we seen a Krys Ivory mixtape?

Krys: It’s so crazy because we had finished the mixtape a long time ago and it was ready to go. Then all of this stuff cracked off and it ended up being so that I didn’t even need to release a mixtape, because the purpose of a mixtape is to get a buzz and get crackin’. I still want to release one though, but there is no time for a mixtape – it’s album time.

Ok. So you are just going to concentrate on the album. Can you tell us anything about the album then?

Krys: I can’t release any information.

 Awww…. Listen to you!

Krys: (Laughs) All I can say is that there are going to be some big names involved – and that it’s hot. Ryan Leslie has production all through it and the features on it are going to be amazing. I’m excited and I hope that you are all too!

Is there anything you want to leave us with dear?

Krys: Keep your eye out for me and continue to show me love. Any haters can kiss my ass.

(Laughs) Look at you being a tough girl now.

Comments (7)

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written by AAA Music Group, April 04, 2008

This girl is the next big thing...I've been a fan for a couple years now..and damn she is about get it POPPIN! Ivoristically speaking..

Look out for Techniec outta Long Beach California prod by AAA Music Group coming to a hood near you this summer!!

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written by Mrx. Krock, April 04, 2008

Talk about someone who actually has their head on their shoulders... A wonderful, voice and heart. Go Krys! love ya

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written by Lunatic 63, April 04, 2008

great work styles!

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written by NJ, April 04, 2008

Hey nice interview, but you forgot to tell em about our collab, lol! Can't wait for the album.

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written by ty.shonuff, April 04, 2008

i like the breakdown for krys. very nice.

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written by kdayDEVIDEV, April 04, 2008

Krys Ivory is the bizz! great article. She is gonna pop off big!

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written by Styles1, April 05, 2008

She is quite an amazing girl. A lot of those other female singers can learn a thing or two from her.

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