Krystall Poppin - Morningside Heights (Album)
Krystall Poppin has been an artist we’ve enjoyed talking about for years. Whether it was her early mixtape & single grind or her explosive visuals, one thing has remained consistent: her evolution. With each release, she sharpens her sound and steps into her power a little more. Pair that natural talent with her wholesome attitude and undeniable charisma, and you have a rising star who continues to glow brighter with time.
One of the most significant moves in her career came when she partnered with Smooth Vega, a respected figure in the industry known for his blueprint-building expertise. His eye for talent combined with her already potent skill set was destined to spark something major, and that’s exactly what we’re witnessing now. In just the past few months, her workload has tripled, tapping into new markets, reaching wider audiences, and even becoming the entrance music for TNA’s Tessa Blanchard. These are not just industry milestones, they’re signals that Krystall is becoming a cultural force.
With the debut of her highly anticipated album “Morningside Heights”, named after her neighborhood in El Paso, Krystall Poppin solidifies her hometown pride while showcasing a refined sound that resonates far beyond city limits. El Paso has always been part of her narrative, but it feels like a full-circle moment this time. She’s not just repping the city, she’s carrying it into every room she enters.
From her intro “915”, it commands immediate attention. The intro plays out like the build-up to a prize fight: tense, hyped, and ready to blow the roof off. And when Krystall steps in, she delivers with heavyweight bars that set the tone for an album that never lets up.
Standout features include Project Pat on “White Cup,” the haze of “Smoke” with Cypress Hill legend B-Real, and the undeniable fan-favorite “Champions” featuring Paul Wall, which feels like a Texas classic in the making. Even with a heavy array of featured talent, Krystall Poppin doesn’t shy away from letting her solo work speak volumes. Tracks like “I’m A Threat” are a warning not to cross her, because the one you slept on before is now the giant towering in her city while y’all are living in her shadow. “Mans World,” which brilliantly samples the late great James Brown, stands out as something special. Not just for how it finds new life in such a classic sample, but for the way Krystall channels real anguish into the record. As women continue to get overlooked in rap, this track feels like a necessary shift that acknowledges the past while stepping confidently into the future. In today’s climate, women are not just participating in hip-hop but leading it for the better. Krystall Poppin is banding with other powerful women in the industry, and she’s clearly on the frontline of that change. The production, primarily handled by Smooth Vega with soundscapes from The ARCHITEX that include Vega, Essay Potna & Chico The Engineer, is a masterclass in synergy. It’s Vega’s first time fully executive producing a project, and the result is flawless. Every beat, transition, and tone perfectly matches Krystall’s dynamic flow and storytelling.
What makes “Morningside Heights” so compelling isn’t just the features or production; it’s the triumphant energy in Krystall’s voice. There’s victory in her cadence, hunger in her rhymes, and a cinematic aura to how she pieces her journey together. You can feel the weight she carries, not as a burden, but as a badge of honor. She’s the voice of a city often overlooked, and she wears it like a crown.
From where we’re standing, the trajectory of Krystall Poppin’s career is only moving in one direction: up. And with “Morningside Heights”, she’s not just putting on for her city, she’s making sure the world knows exactly where she came from and where she’s headed.