Biography
Harlem born and bred, Crystal Caines first built her career behind the boards as a producer before claiming the microphone. Her résumé also encompasses engineering, mixing, and singing, and her earliest collaboration arrived with A$AP Ferg on the track “A Hundred Million Roses.” She later contributed to “Lord,” the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony feature included on Ferg’s 2013 debut album Trap Lord. Equipped with a tough and direct delivery, she transitioned to rapping in 2014 with the release of her debut single “Whiteline,” which carried a guest verse from Ferg. Their ongoing studio partnership extended to Ferg Forever, the mixtape on which Caines both produced and rhymed, notably on “Reloaded (Let It Go Pt. 2)” alongside M.I.A. Late 2015 brought a self-titled digital EP comprising several singles that highlighted her range, moving from the gruff energy of “Play Tough” to the experimental tone of “As I Am,” all framed by polished production and appearances from Kris Kasanova, Guylaire, and Lenisha Nelson. Beyond her own material she appeared on Baauer’s “Swoopin,” supplied beats for Smoke DZA, and resumed work with A$AP Ferg on the 2016 Skrillex collaboration “Hungry Ham.” The following year she issued the tracks “No Drama,” “Run with Me,” and “Fuckery”—the last again featuring Ferg—as precursors to her Vertigo EP.
Singles
