Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crissanji. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Crissanji, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Before the solo journey that I’m currently on, I was apart of a music group. We had started making a name for ourselves in the Caribbean market and still growing. At the time, i was enrolled in college and ready to start my second year that coming fall. The management team we were signed to at the time, called a meeting to announce we might have an opportunity to go to Europe to spread out music. This was great news! But I felt really apprehensive about the situation because that trip would take place the same month and time fall semester started. My mom always told me, “do not let anyone deter you from your goals.” And you know she was specifically talking about school. I brought up my concerns pretty much saying, i won’t be able to go because the timing conflicts with my schooling. But of course, i would be letting everyone in the group down and we would miss a potential huge opportunity. So in the end, i decided to take a semester off.
When the time came close for us, we found out the trip wasn’t happening. Of course this was after the deadline for sign ups.. and yes i was livid! But it also created another opportunity later on that year where we got to travel to many different places in the caribbean to perform and promote our music.
So in the end, it turned out to be a risk that had a great outcome. Would it have been something i would go back and change if i had the chance? Not that one specifically.. probably many others.. lol but all in all, I’m happy where life has taken me.. I’m glad to be where i am today.
Crissanji, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
So here are somethings about myself, my name is Crissanji (pronounced Criss-awn-G) and I’ve been pursuing my music career professionally since right before i graduated high school. Ever since I knew I could sing and had a knack for performing, the stage is where I dreamt of being. I’ve been writing my own songs since i was in the 5th grade… and those early songs will forever stay in the vault lol. The thing that sets me apart from others… is my genuine love for what i do.. which is creating. And having the mindset of knowing, I probably won’t be the greatest. But i’m the greatest at being me and staying true to myself, thats what I channel, “me” into my craft, my music. i think thats what keeps me humble. and also knowing that there’s a lane for everyone. Now i just gotta continue striving and pushing hard to put myself out there.
I grew up listening to all types of genres. And by loving so many, I cant put myself into just one box. My sound is a mixture of all the genres i listened to growing up. Reggae/dancehall, R&B, pop, rock, dance, country etc. i’m influenced by them all! for the longest, people have been telling me “i have to pick a genre.” naw, I shall not!! by choosing, it stifles my creativity. And we all listen to diffent types of artists in different genres… so why can’t i provide for multiple? Just as long as i’m able to entertain you and leave you with a feeling that has the potential to last,. even for just a little while, that’s really all i strive for.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
There was a time where i had lost my voice. I had gotten sick by a friend at the time, he was extremely sick and thought it was funny to sneeze on me. within hours I was sick, and it affected me worse. I was sick for about a week give or take. when i got better I noticed I couldn’t hit notes in songs I use to sing all the time. didn’t think anything of it, I was just irritated, thinking “I guess I haven’t fully recovered.” Within the next year, my singing voice deteriorated to just this raspy, struggling, strain of what use to be. I didn’t know what was happening. And the worst thing about it is, I couldn’t even go to the doctor’s because I didn’t have insurance, nor was I making money. I was in a deep depression, but it didn’t stop me from going into the studio. I mean… were there times when I just went to get drunk instead of going to the studio or rehearsal… yes. But in all honesty, I didn’t even know I was depressed (which is a whole other story.) I just knew I didn’t want to deal. I didn’t give up though. For the next few years, I push through, I had to change everything I knew how to do. I didn’t have a falsetto anymore, so I practiced and recorded singing in this other voice I found for background vocals and harmonies, instead of writing singing verses, I wrote in a more rapping, melodic styling. It was the best I could do.
After those dark years, after pushing through those tough times, one day out of nowhere, my voice started to sound stronger and kept on growning stronger. And now today I can say, it sounds 100 times better and stronger than it did back then. I still have some issues here and there but, all I know is… God has blessed me.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to “unlearn” was being a perfectionist. Gosh I wanted everything to look and sound perfect. Oh, i was not as humble as I thought I was back then lol. I let time pass me by, and missed many opportunities because in my head, it wasn’t ready, or it wasn’t good enough “yet”. And also, listening to other people’s opinions who weren’t trying to provide a solution. When social media was blowing up with creatives, oh did I have many ideas! but then I started to compare what i had and didn’t have to others. It gotta be better! it’s not good enough! it took me a long time to realize, it was fine just the way it was. You gotta utilize what you have, people will love it for what it is. Stop waiting, cause doing nothing will get you nowhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/crissanji_official
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crissanji_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crissanji
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Crissanji
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrissanjiOfficial
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ekc2eoXQR0eviBgJNXglr apple music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/crissanji/433206095 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crissanji
Image Credits
photos by: Native Eye Media