Atlanta native Summer Walker, 23
Photo courtesy of Summer Walker
Neo-soul, a music genre to describe soul and contemporary R&B combined into one, has changed the sound of the music industry. According to nmaam.org, Kedar Massenburg, the music executive of Motown Records, coined the term to describe the artists Erykah Badu, Maxwell, and Lauryn Hill.
Today, artists such as H.E.R, The Internet and N.A.O all carry this genre into the new age of music. The most recent artist to join this category is Atlanta native Summer Walker.
Walker’s humble beginning date back to the gone but never forgotten app Vine. Under the use name “Tsunami Summer,” Walker frequently uploaded six-second clips of her singing.
One of her most known vines was a remake of Kay Jewelers’ catchy jingle “every kiss begins with ‘K’.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaALjXXMiRw
It was not until April 4, 2018, when Walker debuted her self-produced single, “Session 32,” and stirred up conversation of a new and upcoming artist in the music industry.
“Session 32” is a song about a hard to forget ex boyfriend. Walker tried hard to make the relationship work although he did not put in the effort.
The theme of love, relationships ,or the lack thereof, continued to be sung about in her debut album “Last Day of Summer,” released in October.
The album was a hit thanks to her pre-released teaser, debuted on July 26, “Girl Need Love.” Social media caught word of this song and music video, published on Walker’s official YouTube channel on August 27, which created anticipation for the release of the full album.
The album has songs such as “CPR,” “Smartwater,” “Prayed Up” and “Just Like Me” all written by Walker. She is very transparent about her experience with love and her womanhood.
The 23-year-old even speaks about how a loving spouse saved her as she was on “the edge, [she] was at the end. Made [her] feel like there is life worth living,” she sings in her song, “CPR.”
All that to say, Walker was busy in 2018, but her work continues as she recently dropped an extended play (EP) titled “Clear” on Jan. 25. 2019.
The EP contains four songs titled “Riot,” “Grave,” “Wasted” and “Settling.” Although the EP is only 11 minutes long, the songs each have their own unique sound and more of a jazzy instrumental.
Along with the EP, Walker featured a live studio production on her official YouTube channel and surprised fans with the announcement of a tour starting March 15 in Houston.
Summer Walker, is someone to look out for as she gives neo soul her own twist.