Summer Walker
Walker in 2019
Walker in 2019
Background information
Birth nameSummer Marjani Walker[1]
Also known asMs Walker
Born (1996-04-11) April 11, 1996 (age 27)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresR&B[2]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
DiscographySummer Walker discography
Years active2017–present
Labels
Children3
Websitesummerwalker.com

Summer Marjani Walker (born April 11, 1996)[1] is an American R&B singer.[3] She signed with the Atlanta-based record label Love Renaissance, an imprint of Interscope Records in late 2017. The following year, she released her debut commercial mixtape Last Day of Summer (2018), supported by its lead single, "Girls Need Love." The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned a remix featuring Canadian rapper Drake.[4] Her debut studio album, Over It (2019) was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 chart—briefly breaking the record for the biggest debut streaming week for a female R&B artist—and receiving double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5][6][7][8][9]

Her second album, Still Over It (2021) debuted atop the Billboard 200. The album broke the record for most streams in a single day by a female artist on Apple Music[10] and broke her previous record for largest streaming debut-week for a female R&B artist; she also tied with Taylor Swift as the only female artist to have 18 concurrent songs from one album enter the Billboard Hot 100.[11] It spawned the single "Ex for a Reason" (featuring JT of the City Girls), which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, while its follow up single, "No Love" (with SZA and Cardi B) peaked within the top 15 and received platinum certification by the RIAA. Her 2023 single, "Good Good" (with Usher and 21 Savage) also entered the top 40 of the chart.

Her accolades include a Billboard Music Award, a IHeartRadio Music Awards two Soul Train Music Awards, and two Grammy Award nominations.[12] In 2022 Billboard Women in Music recognized Walker with the Chart Breaker Award for her achievement on Billboard charts.[13] As of 2024, Walker has sold over 32 million certified units from the RIAA between albums and songs.[14]

Early life

Walker was born in Atlanta, Georgia.[15] From 2016 to 2018, she had a small cleaning business, and was also a stripper in Atlanta before she taught herself how to play the guitar by watching tutorials on YouTube. Soon after, she began performing covers and posting various videos of herself to the platform.[16]

Musical career

2018–2019: Career beginnings and Last Day of Summer

Walker was discovered by a woman of the same name, who works as the studio manager of an Atlanta-based label called Love Renaissance.[16] In 2017, she signed with this label and Interscope Records. On October 19, 2018, Walker released her debut commercial mixtape, titled Last Day of Summer, supported by the lead single, "Girls Need Love".[17] Walker's album contained her thoughts on love, doubt, and womanhood.[18]

Towards the end of 2018, Walker toured with 6lack on the From East Atlanta With Love Tour.[19] Following the success of her mixtape, Apple Music named Walker as its newest Up Next artist in 2019, and she became the number 8 R&B artist worldwide across the platform.[20] On January 25, 2019, Walker released her first EP titled Clear, consisting of four tracks of acoustic recordings.[21] On February 27, she released the remix to her song, "Girls Need Love", with Drake.[22]

2019–2020: Breakthrough and Over It

On August 23, 2019, Walker released a track, called "Playing Games" as the first official single for her debut studio album, titled Over It.[23] The song, which contains an interpolation of Destiny's Child's number-one hit "Say My Name", was produced by London on da Track. On September 12, Walker revealed that Over It would be released on October 4 via LVRN and Interscope Records.[24] Along with her album announcement, she shared the official artwork. Over It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 134,000 units in its first week. Its debut week marked the largest streaming week for an R&B album by a female artist, in terms of on-demand audio streams.[25]

The album topped the R&B Albums chart for 14 nonconsecutive weeks, and as of July 2020, has yet to chart below number 7.[26] Walker supported Over It with her accompanying The First and Last Tour, which kicked off on October 20.[27] Due to her social anxiety, Walker canceled the remaining 20 out of 29 dates on the tour committing to 9 of them.[28] On November 17, Walker won her first Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist, she later received backlash from fans for her short speech and was accused of faking her social anxiety.[29]

In early 2020, Walker collaborated with an American rapper 21 Savage on a song, titled "Secret". Walker also appeared on a remix for Justin Bieber's song Yummy. In April 2020, she was featured on Khalid's remix of "Eleven". On June 29, Walker announced the release of an EP, titled Life on Earth to be released on July 10. The announcement came a day after she performed "Session 32" and "Come Thru" with Usher at the 2020's BET Awards, where Walker was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.[30] Life on Earth debuted atop the Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart, becoming Walker's second number one. It also debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 becoming Walker's second top 10 project on the chart.[31]

Two tracks from the EP charted on the Billboard Hot 100, "Let It Go", and "My Affection" featuring PartyNextDoor, at numbers 84 and 86, respectively.[32] "Come Thru" featuring Usher was certified platinum on August 20 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A few days later, on August 25, her song "Body" was certified gold, "Playing Games" was certified two-time platinum, and "Girls Need Love" was certified three-time platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), respectively.[33]

On September 14, Walker was a musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing "Body" from her debut album Over It. The performance received praise from music-critics and fans alike, with Rolling Stone describing the performance as "beatific". On October 14, Walker won the Billboard Music Award for the Best Female R&B Artist at the 2020 ceremony, beating out Beyoncé and Lizzo. It became Walker's first Billboard Music Award win from three nominations respectively. Walker was also nominated for Top R&B Artist and Top R&B Album for Over It.

On November 23, she released a repackaged version of the Over It album, titled Over It (Complete Edition). The repackaged version of the album features all 18 songs from the standard version of the album plus additional instrumentals, a capella versions, live renditions and more. On December 10, Walker's debut song, "Session 32" was certified gold and her collaboration featuring Jhené Aiko, titled "I'll Kill You" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), respectively. On the Billboard 200 year-end chart of 2020, Over It was the second best performing R&B album of the year behind The Weeknd's After Hours and was the seventeenth best performing album overall.[34]

2021-present: Still Over It

On November 5, 2021, Walker released her second album Still Over It which has since broken the record for biggest R&B debut on the US albums chart since Beyoncé's album Lemonade. The album surpassed 166,000 units within the first week of release. On November 29, Walker and Ari Lennox performed the song "Unloyal" together at the 2021 Soul Train Music Awards.

The "No Love" extended remix featuring Cardi B was announced on March 21, 2022. On March 25, it was released along with a music video.[35] In May, Walker was featured on Kendrick Lamar's track "Purple Hearts" from the 2022 album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, for which Walker earned her first Grammy Award nomination.[36]

On September 28, 2022, Ciara released the single "Better Thangs", featuring Walker.[37] The official music video, directed by Mia Barnes, premiered online on September 30.[38]

Personal life

While teaching herself guitar through YouTube tutorials, Walker worked as a stripper in an Atlanta strip club. In an interview with The Face she stated that the experience was "helping her grow out of her shell" and that it was "a fun experience".[39]

Walker has well over 24 tattoos as of 2019,[40] including face tattoos.[16]

In November 2020, Walker announced that she was expecting her first child, with then-boyfriend London on da Track.[41] Her daughter was born on March 22, 2021. Months later, the pair ended their relationship.[42][43] On June 25, 2022, Walker announced on Instagram Live that she was expecting her second child with then-boyfriend rapper Larry A.K.A. Lvrd Pharaoh.[44] She gave birth to twin boys on December 29, 2022.[45] She dated BMF co-star and rapper Demetrius Flenory Jr from April to July 2023.

Walker expressed solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. She wrote: "I can no longer stand by and watch as thousands of children and innocent civilians are targeted under the mask and propaganda of combating terrorism."[46]

Artistry

Walker has said that she draws inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, and Erykah Badu.[47] She noted Mary J. Blige as an inspiration for the vulnerability and authenticity she displays in her own music, saying "back when Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans were making R&B, they had real pain and real stories. That's why it was so good." Walker has also cited Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo as inspirations for her to experiment and explore new sounds within the R&B and neo soul genres.[48]

Discography

Main article: Summer Walker discography
Studio albums
Mixtapes and EPs

Tours

Headlining

Awards and nominations

Award Year[a] Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
American Music Awards 2020 Herself Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Nominated [51]
"Playing Games" Favorite Soul/R&B Song Nominated
Over It Favorite Soul/R&B Album Nominated
2022 Herself Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist Nominated [52]
Still Over It Favorite R&B Album Nominated
BET Awards 2020 Herself Best New Artist Nominated [53]
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Nominated
2021 Nominated [54]
2022 Nominated [55]
"Unloyal" BET Her Award Nominated
Billboard Music Awards 2020 Herself Top R&B Artist Nominated [56]
Top R&B Female Artist Won
Over It Top R&B Album Nominated
2022 Herself Top R&B Artist Nominated [57]
Top R&B Female Artist Nominated
Still Over It Top R&B Album Nominated
Billboard Women in Music 2022 Herself Chart Breaker Award Won [58]
Grammy Awards 2023 Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers Album of the Year (as featured artist and songwriter) Nominated
2024 Clear 2: Soft Life Best R&B Album Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2020[59] Herself Best New R&B Artist Won [60]
R&B Artist of the Year Nominated
"Girls Need Love" (with Drake) R&B Song of the Year Nominated
2021[61] Herself R&B Artist of the Year Nominated [62]
"Playing Games" R&B Song of the Year Nominated
MOBO Awards 2020 Herself Best International Act Nominated
2022 Nominated [63]
MTV Video Music Awards 2020[64][65] Herself Push Best New Artist Longlisted [66][67]
"Eleven" (with Khalid) Best R&B Nominated
NAACP Image Awards 2023 "No Love" (with Cardi B and SZA) Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) Nominated [68]
2024 Clear 2: Soft Life EP Outstanding Album Pending [69]
"Good Good" (with Usher & 21 Savage) Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) Pending
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song Pending
Soul Train Music Awards 2019 Herself Best New Artist Won [70]
R&B/Soul Female Artist Nominated
"Girls Need Love (Remix)" Song of the Year Nominated
2020 Herself Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Nominated [71]
"Come Thru" (with Usher) Song of the Year Nominated
Best Collaboration Nominated
"Playing Games" The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Nominated
Over It Album of the Year Won
2023 Herself Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Nominated
"To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)" (with J Cole) Best Collaboration Nominated
"Good Good" (with Usher & 21 Savage) Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Video of the Year Nominated
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Nominated
Best Dance Performance Nominated
"Better Thangs" (with Ciara) Nominated
Clear 2: Soft Life EP Album of the Year Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ The listed year refers to the date of the ceremony, not necessarily the year in which the corresponding season or episode aired.

References

  1. ^ a b "Summer Walker Profile". HotNewHipHop. February 27, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  2. ^ Leight, Elias (November 4, 2021). "Summer Walker Is a Star. But she Signed a 'Brutal' Record Deal to Get There". RollingStone. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Summer Walker's a Star. She Signed a Brutal Record Deal to Get There". Rolling Stone. November 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Johnson, Zoe (October 19, 2018). "Take A Walk With Summer Walker On The 'Last Day Of Summer'". Vibe. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  5. ^ @billboardcharts (October 14, 2019). ".@IAMSUMMERWALKER has eight songs on..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Top 100 Songs: October 19, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  7. ^ Wicker, Jewel (October 1, 2019). "Chartbreaker: Summer Walker Readies Star-Studded New Album After Drake Co-Sign". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "Summer Walker's 'Over It' Earns Biggest Streaming Week Ever for an R&B Album by a Woman". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media, LLC.
  9. ^ White, Roman (May 9, 2020). "Summer Walker's 'Over It' Officially Goes Platinum".
  10. ^ Records, Interscope. "Summer Walker Shatters Apple Music Record For Most Album Streams In A Day By A Female-Identifying Artist Ever". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  11. ^ Zellner, Xander (November 16, 2021). "Summer Walker Ties Taylor Swift for This Billboard Hot 100 Record". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "Summer Walker | Artist". Grammy Award. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  13. ^ Rouhani, Neena (February 25, 2022). "Summer Walker Wants to See the World — Even If She Isn't Crazy About Touring". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
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  15. ^ Starling, Lakin (December 10, 2021). "SUMMER WALKER IS DOING IT HER WAY". Spin.
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  33. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA.
  34. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End". Billboard.
  35. ^ Grein, Paul (November 19, 2021). "Summer Walker to Perform at 2021 Soul Train Awards". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  36. ^ Lee, Taila (November 15, 2022). "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". The Recording Academy. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
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  38. ^ "New Video: Ciara – 'Better Thangs' (ft. Summer Walker)". The Grapejuice. September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  39. ^ "Summer Walker: 5 Things To Know About The Pregnant Singer Calling BF London On Da Track 'A Bum'". November 28, 2020.
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  45. ^ "Report: Summer Walker Announced She Gave Birth to Twins!". December 31, 2022.
  46. ^ "Celebrities call for ceasefire, decry civilian deaths: Hollywood reacts to Israel-Hamas war". USA Today. October 16, 2023.
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  71. ^ "H.E.R. & Chris Brown Lead 2020 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Here's the Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

External links

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