Krystylez

Chicago R&B New School Crooner
Krystylez has Old School Flavor!
Serene Bridgett Hollingsworth

I must admit I like some of today’s Hip-Hop music. I can pop my fingers and groove with the best of them. However, the truth is, I grew up in an old school music culture listening to R&B when the sound was smooth and blue lights in the basement adorned the lint on my favorite sweater while brothers were singing real love ballads. I gotta tell you, I miss that kind of music today!

I grew up listening to artists like Heatwave (Always and Forever), The Gap Band, Larry Graham and Grand Central Station (One In a Million), Earth Wind & Fire, The Commodores, The Brothers Johnson (Strawberry Letter 20-what?), The Isley Brothers (Hello It’s Me), The Ohio Players, Minnie Ripperton (Loving You) and Marvin Gaye among others which are all compliments of my mother. I must divulge, I also loved Switch and The Sylvers--do you remember them and that cute Foster? I guess I’ve dated myself a bit, but there is no shame in my game! Now that I have your attention, perhaps you’re reminiscing on yesteryear when music was music and a slow song was actually a love song—now, let’s fast forward to November 2005.

There is still hope for us old-school-R&B-blue-lights-in-the-basement music lovers! I caught up with a young brother named Krystylez pronounced (Kris-talz) a smooth R&B Chicago crooner whose music, lyrics and voice take me back to those days. With his soulful voice, classic style and smooth music, you’d agree this talented singer has staying power. Indeed Krystylez is a welcomed breath of fresh air on today’s music scene.
I was blessed to get an interview with this R&B heartthrob and voice of the future. It’s a BWM exclusive!


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Krystylez and I sat down for a bite to eat at one of Chicago’s famous shrimp house Lawrence’s last Saturday afternoon. We talked about his music and the release of his self-titled CD Krystylez . Join me and let’s learn about this talented songwriter and vocalist.


Like many Chicagoans, Krystylez made his way to Chicago from Arkansas when he was in third grade. “I was saying yes ma’am and no sir when I got here. Students teased me, even the teachers teased me, but that is how I was raised. That’s what you had to say down South.” I must disclose, he’s quite a gentleman and a soft-spoken young man of faith. Even our photographer Tony Smith commented on his reserved demeanor. “I grew up in the hood--one of the worst neighborhoods in Chicago, and I graduated from Calumet High School. But I was raised right.” He comments.

So how did this music bug start? “I started singing during my freshman year of high school. I must admit to get the girls at first. I was in a singing group with two of my best friends. We were called Top Secret. We did homecomings, school assemblies and talent shows. High school girls like guys who could sing.” He smiles coyly.

I was curious about the name Krystylez so he explains, “Well I was in the recording studio with the rap group Midnight Thugs and someone said your voice is smooth like Cristal Champagne. I liked the name. I never changed it, but I am Krystylez .” I would have to concur because his voice is indeed smooth and refined. Actually, I found Krystylez unassuming. He didn’t have that, “I am larger than life persona.” Thank God because I was not in the mood. I was pleasantly pleased when I first sipped from his soulful reservoir of R&B genuine style as he mesmerized me with his impromptu serenade. This man has skills! Okay.

I would have never expected to hear such a smooth R&B sound from this young brother.

I find it intriguing to learn the stories of artists’ rises to fame. Television and clever marketing bamboozle a many to personify these stories as overnight successes; however, unless you believe overnight to mean years; I don’t believe in overnight fame. Success takes hard work and dedication--would you agree? “I got serious about my singing after high school. It was no longer to attract girls or women. I realized I had a gift. I began singing with a group called Ecstasy. It was a five member, acapella group. I really liked singing with groups. We used to sing in beauty salons all around Chicago. That’s what we did. We traveled to Los Angeles to sing at a hair show, which is where Kashif heard us - a name from the past. He invited us to sing in his music classes and things started picking up for the group, but we were still doing talent shows locally and club events all along. In 1995, we sang the Black National Anthem at The Rosemont Horizon and our popularity increased. We were always working small clubs or other venues. It didn’t matter. So, to answer your question there is no overnight success,” he confirms.

Krystylez was raised in the church, and presently, attends church here in Chicago, a - Bridgett Hollinworth