Early Life and Beginnings
Kay was born and raised in Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture to an African American father and a Zainichi Korean mother. Her father was a bassist from New Jersey and a sailor in the United States Navy stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Her mother was a professional singer with one album while her father played music as a hobby. As a child, Kay met artists such as Diana Ross and Bobby Brown through her parents taking her to shows.
Kay previously attended Kinnick High School and Sophia University.
Although her mother is ethnically Korean, Crystal does not speak Korean. Kay is fluent in Japanese and English, the latter influencing and making a regular appearance in her songs. She has also studied French. Kay has cited Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson as her biggest influences. In Japan she cites the acts of producer Tetsuya Komuro as her J-Pop influences, particularly SPEED and Namie Amuro.
Read more about this topic: Crystal Kay
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