Crystal Kay celebrates her 24th anniversary. LDH and Universal did absolutely nothing, but not I. NOT I.

A black and white photo of Crystal Kay, looking into the camera and smiling, with her hair down, sporting her natural curls. Shot by Reylia Slaby.

Crystal Kay is celebrating herself this week, whilst subtly flexing and letting everybody know that she about this long haul life. As July 1st officially marked the 24th anniversary of her career. 24 years to that day since the release of her debut single “Eternal Memories” in 1999.

Crystal posted the following to Shitter and Instascam.

24 years in the game 🎯
And grateful 😊❤️

今でも大好きなデビューシングル、エターナルメモリーズから24年。あのときも、今も音楽聴いてくれてる皆様に心からありがとう‼️これからもずっと届け続けます.

This was followed by a photo credit to Reylia Slaby, who shot the photo at the top of this post to accompany Crystal’s message.

Quick side note. Reylia is the same photographer who did this gorgeous photoshoot with Crystal in 2021.

The Japanese copy translates as...

It’s been 24 years since my debut single, Eternal Memories. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who listened to my music then and now!! I will continue to deliver.’

This is an amazing milestone. Especially when you consider that Ayumi Hamasaki celebrated her 25th anniversary this year. You’d think Crystal was in the game for a considerably shorter amount of time, but she’s only a year off.

I can’t help but compare Crystal and Ayu’s careers in light of them both being in this music game for a similar period of time, even though I know I shouldn’t. And neither should Crystal. It’s a slippery slope, because things shake too differently for different people to play the comparison game. But it does feel unfair and unjust none-the-less. Crystal Kay has put out so many great songs. She’s a great live performer. She can sing. She continues to show growth and evolution, even in the midst of some bad singles as of late. But alas. We know these things aren’t enough and do not guarantee success. Life just isn’t fair. But it’s why I always bang on about how much more Crystal and her team should be doing. Unlike Ayumi Hamasaki, who I think has long since peaked, built a legacy which is æternal, and has done enough in her career that she could ride off into the sunset on her Asia Tour 2008 tour pirate ship, I still feel that Crystal Kay has a lot of unfinished business - further to go and more to achieve. But will she do it with her current team? Because baby, it is her 24th anniversary. Yet, where is the Best album? Where is I Sing 2? Where are the official HD uploads of the music videos? Where is “Kirakuni” on streaming?

Girl. Fire the whole management and marketing team.

It is great that Crystal Kay is still active in any capacity though. She’s incredibly active on Instagram which is great, and she regularly uploads to YouTube too, which is also great. So whilst we may be absolutely starved for music, live performances and televised appearances, at least we’re getting something of Crystal’s own accord. Because if everything was left up to LDH and Universal, we wouldn’t be getting anything but dust balls in an seaweed wrap.

But Crystal should have some form of boat pushed out for her 24th anniversary. And whilst I don’t have the funds for a boat, I can certainly po’ it up and say a few words about Crystal, her artistry, and the greatness she’s delivered over the years. So, I hereby declare this week at Random J Pop as Crystal Kay week. Every day this week there will be a post dedicated to the J-R&B queen that is Crystal Kay. We’re gonna bounce tonight. We’re gonna have a good time. And we’re gonna do what her team won’t do, and celebrate a bitch. It’s gonna be a flower shower.

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Crystal Kay celebrates her 24th anniversary. LDH and Universal did absolutely nothing, but not I. NOT I.

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