ROZZI CRANE

HOMETOWN: San Francisco, Calif.
INFLUENCES: Lauryn Hill, Outkast,Destiny’s Child
ALBUM: Rozzi Crane EP, out now
WEBSITE: rozzicrane.com

Rozzi Crane began performing while she pursued her degree at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music in L.A. “I’d play anywhere they’d let me,” she says. “Whether it was a dorm Christmas party or a formal USC event, I’d do it, because I love performing.” After earning a gig as a background vocalist for Don Henley during her freshman year, she tried her hand at writing songs. Her breakthrough came when a fellow songwriter forwarded her YouTube video to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. Levine signed Crane as the flagship artist on his new label, 222 Records—and invited her to sing on “Come Away to the Water,” their contribution to The Hunger Games soundtrack. Currently serving as an opening act on Maroon 5’s tour, Crane is also performing solo gigs to promote her new self-titled debut EP. Her musical goal is simple: “I want people to feel empowered and inspired.”