MMWOS Interview with Tracy Cruz

Hey everyone! I am happy to present you all a great new independent artist, Tracy Cruz. Tracy Cruz music has  hit the music charts all over the world. With a new remix album coming out and some rave reviews from her 2011 album Universoul Symphony, Tracy Cruz is a the next big singer that the world needs to listen to. Here MMWOS Interview with Tracy Cruz!

MMWOS: What is your earliest memory of music? 
Describe the moment in you life when you knew that you wanted to be a singer and songwriter?

Tracy Cruz: My earliest memory of music would have to be singing Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" to my family. I was five years old at the time and I absolutely loved singing that song, especially to my grandfathers. They would often ask me to perform and then they would give me money afterwards-it was my first  gig (smiling)! Also I remember seeing and hearing my mother and grandmother sing around the house. I saw how happy they were and wanted to experience that same type of joy through music so I sang along. I knew I wanted to be a singer when I was 12 years old-that's when I started actively performing at various church functions, community and cultural events as well as competing in talent contests. Singing allowed me to fully express myself in the most creative way and gave me the opportunity to emotionally connect with people of all ages and walks of life, which I thought was extremely beautiful and powerful. At the age of 19, I realized I wanted to be a songwriter. I carried a journal and pen with me everywhere I went and wrote down my thoughts, goals, ideas, fears, dreams, insecurities, struggles, etc. Those words became poems and those poems became songs. I was inspired to share my stories with the world. 

MMWOS: You music has hit the charts all over the world and you worked with some of the best in the music industry, Is there anyone else in the industry you would love to work with?

Tracy Cruz: I'm humbled and grateful that my music has hit the charts over the world. I still can't believe it (smiling)! There are so many people I would love to work. I would love to collaborate with Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Jill Scott, Dianne Warren, Robert Glasper, The Foreign Exchange, Amel Larrieux, Eric Roberson, Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, KING...just to name a few. 

MMWOS: How do you feel about the state of R&B and Soul music today? 
How would you fix it?

Tracy Cruz: I honestly feel that some of the content of R&B music today needs to improve, especially those that are consistently being played over the airwaves and shown on television. There needs to be more uplifting, positive, and motivating songs. Songs that touch people's hearts and change lives. Songs that children can listen to. It seems as though the songs that receive the most airplay are monotonous as far as message and style. What happened to songs like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You" saturating the airwaves? Those songs were musically compelling and inspired change and love. 

On the other hand, there are several R&B/Soul artists who continue to create high quality music such as Jill Scott, Ledisi, Anthony Hamilton, Musiq Soulchild, Eric Roberson, Rahsaan Patterson, Lalah Hathaway and so forth. Their music consists of intricate musical arrangements, emotive voices, and thought provoking lyrics. Good R&B/Soul music exists, you just have to take the time to find it. As far as fixing the current state of R&B/Soul music, I will continue to do my best to create music that is heartfelt, honest, and inspiring. 

MMWOS: Let talk about Electricity and Struggle Reprise, from your latest album Universoul
Symphony. I love these songs. How did these songs come to be? 
What was your inspiration behind these tracks? 

Tracy Cruz: Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so happy that you love those songs. I came up with the concept for "Electricity" after I heard the music that my husband Allen composed. The vibe of that song was very fun, upbeat and energetic. The sounds made me think of electricity, lights, and the colors bronze, gold and silver. I decided to write about the different stages of love-attraction, romance, passion, intimacy and commitment and tie in words that corresponded to the theme of "electricity". I wrote the song "Struggle" back in 2004 because I was struggling to follow my dreams. I didn't think I was good enough. I didn't believe I could have a successful music career. I was afraid that people wouldn't like or understand my voice and music. I wanted to give up. But then I thought to myself, "Why would God give me a voice? Wasn't I meant to use it?" I wrote "Struggle" as a personal reminder to always have faith and never give up on my dreams no matter. I remade "Struggle" in 2011 and renamed it "Struggle Reprise" and included it in my sophomore album "Universoul Symphony". It now includes a bridge and has an additional message with states "stronger than I've ever been, wiser than I've ever been" because I'm still following my dreams (in music) and will not give up. 

MMWOS: What is the one thing you would like new fans to know about you and your music?

Tracy Cruz: I've been an independent artist since 2005. My husband Allen Ross and I have been managing all of the creative & business aspects of our music. We  are a 2-person team-we handle all of our songwriting, promotions, marketing, booking, and so forth.  We have released an EP "Illuminate Love" in April of 2005, debut full-length album"Feel'osophy" in September 2008 & sophomore album "Universoul Symphony" in August of 2011. Being a 2-person music team is not an easy task. It can get stressful and overwhelming at times, especially when we're also working full-time jobs and raising our two little ones. However we completely enjoy creating music and sharing it with the world! 

MMWOS: I read that R&B singer Ledisi was your vocal coach. What is the most important lesson did you learn from her? 

Tracy Cruz: The most important lesson that I learned from Ledisi is to always stay true to yourself and your art. Don't ever try to be something that you're not. Your music always has to be an honest and complete representation of yourself. 

MMWOS: What new projects are you working on today?

Tracy Cruz:  I'm currently finishing up my remix album for "Universoul Symphony". I'm  really excited to share this project because it will showcase the various interpretations of my music from DJs and music producers from around the world. I also plan on releasing another music video before the end of this year. I would also love to travel with my band and perform across the United States and overseas. 

MMWOS: When can we all see Tracy Cruz in concert? 

Tracy Cruz: I'm currently lining up some shows for the summer. 

Please stay tuned at www.facebook.com/tracycruzmusicpage

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/tracycruzmusic 

Website: www.tracycruz.com. 

MMWOS: Finally what does music mean to you?

Tracy Cruz: Music is a powerful tool. I believe that it is meant to uplift, encourage, inspire, motivate, and unite people. Music is medicine. It is very therapeutic. It enables us to transport ourselves into a different time and space. Music also helps us to remember our fondest memories and relieve our daily stress. 

I would like to thank Tracy Cruz for the interview!
Check out more about Tracy Cruz at

 Facebook: www.facebook.com/tracycruzmusicpage

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/tracycruzmusic 

Website: www.tracycruz.com.