Unwrapped: Summer Banton for The Culture Crypt Issue IV

After her candy-coated odes to infatuated admirers and troublesome men in singles like "Superfan" and "Boyfriend", The Culture Crypt sits down with the rising R&B-pop sensation for a chat…

The Culture Crypt Issue IV: Summer Banton. Photo by Jay Aaron.

Finding the right words to say isn't always easy. For music lovers—creators and listeners alike—sometimes a song is the only way to express the inner workings of the heart. Fingertips to the keys, a young Summer Banton quickly found that through the art of melodic composition and honing her pen, she could convey her feelings more powerfully than through any normal conversation.

A determined self-taught pianist, well-versed in performing arts, Summer was inspired by her childhood MTV icons to pursue a path in the musical sphere. With nods to the soul-pop legends of the 2000s, Summer's music incorporates the best of both worlds.

Comforting listeners with the scent of nostalgia while weaving in soft synth-driven sounds with Afrobeats—Summer found her voice. With the R&B icons of the millennial age as her guide, Summer cultivated her own R&B, pop-infused sound.

The South East London singer graced the UK R&B scene in 2019 with her EP Summary and since then has dazzled us with a barrage of addictive, hit singles. Summer's retro-modern sonics and calming melodies resonate beautifully with listeners.

The buttery-sweet nature of her voice, giving us flawless runs backed by upbeat tracks, instantly elevates any weary state of mind. Summer's standout tracks "Miss Me" and "Be My Guest" had listeners suddenly feeling they'd woken up back in the noughties.

Summer Banton for The Culture Crypt. Photo by Jay Aaron.

Creative Director Niall Smith / Editor Janan Jama / Photographer + Assistant Creative Director Jay Aaron / Graphics Hannah Obikudu / Editorial Coordinator Roseline Adusei / Producer Philip Patton / Production Assistant Ashley Rophina

Summer carefully cast her spell captivating the masses, serving us with the kind of lovelorn, heartfelt records of the 2000s, reborn through modern songwriting. Her shout-out-worthy chorus and sugar-coated synths gave us just the dose of Summer's sun we needed. But she didn't stop there.

Needing no Superman by her side, Summer champions female agency with recent releases "Superfan" and "Boyfriend". Her words are a pop-glazed outlet for all the heartbreaks and heartaches. Enchanting us with her soft loop beats and smooth sound, the up-and-coming songstress reaffirms her place in the sonic landscape.

I caught up with Summer on a Saturday afternoon at the nail salon in East London. While getting pampered and polished in pink and blue, we talked about all things music and more...

The Culture Crypt: Congratulations on "Superfan". How do you feel now that the song has been out for a minute?

Summer Banton: "I feel a mixture of things. I'm happy and relieved that the song is out in the world and people can listen to it. It's a song for the summertime so people can enjoy it in the sunshine."

The song pulls from a treasure trove of pop greats, but it's also its own unique thing at the same time. Could you talk to us about the nature of pop music as a Black artist?

"That's a good question. It's really interesting when it comes to being a Black artist, I feel like a lot of what we would class as pop music is just music we enjoy that becomes popular. UK Rap, for example, is put in a box of being rap, but really it's pop because we've made it popular. Mainstream pop is what you class as generic—the big pop artists in the UK, like Dua Lipa, for example. I think it's cool seeing Black artists doing that while we're also able to make our own music."

How do you feel about the R&B–pop label relating to your music?

"I think it's cool because my music is R&B essence. Everything stems from the R&B that I grew up listening to, whether it's the classic R&B chord progressions, the vocal melodies, or stacking harmonies. I think it's pop in that fact that it also pulls from the popstars that I grew up on."

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“Everything that I write is based on a lived experience. I use music as an outlet for the thoughts that I don’t necessarily vocalise. I put them into my music, and that’s how I’m able to express myself.”

— Summer Banton on songwriting

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London is known to be a city rich in diversity and culture. Could you tell us about growing up in South East London and also how your Jamaican heritage has shaped you into who you are today?

"When I was younger, I grew up in Lewisham before moving to Bromley, which, despite being only five or ten minutes away, has a very different demographic. This gave me the best of both worlds. My heritage played a significant role in my upbringing. I was very close to my grandma, who came from Jamaica in her 20s, and we often listened to reggae at family parties. Reggae was always playing in my house, fostering my love for my culture and Jamaican roots."

Speaking of your Jamaican heritage, reggae and coming from a musical family—your uncle being Maxi Priest and your cousin Dirtbike LB being a part of the dynamic duo D-Block Europe—has that influenced your musicality?

"My uncle was a role model showing me what was attainable. In his day, there was no social media, everything was just based on raw talent, pushing your music and connecting with people. His work ethic truly inspired me. With D-Block, LB caught me off guard because one minute they were just having fun and the next they were huge.

Even in there, they talk about how they were just friends making music for fun. It's cool to see how they've become this big independent duo powerhouse, doing their own thing—like my uncle, their work ethic inspired me."

Would you be interested in incorporating reggae into your music?

"Yes, absolutely! Some artists have woven it into their music who I really like—Koffee, she's amazing, even some of Cleo Sol's work is very lover's rock reggae. I'd definitely do it; I'd have to make it with a Summer Banton flair, of course."

Words Ruth Jackson-Koufie / Wardrobe Coordinator Khurram Salim Rana + Zara Marcos / Styling Jazzy Newnham + Khurram Salim Rana / Hair + Makeup Ella Carter-Allen / PR MyBlaqBook + Brenda Juliet / Commissioner / Cassius Banton / Wardrobe Support Wall Street Mafia

Are there any other genres you want to incorporate into your music?

"I really like funky house at the moment. Random but... I feel like it derives from Black music, maybe house as well. I've been listening to a lot of Kaytranada. I would create a hybrid of house and the R&B essence of my music."

Back in 2018, you took part in Sian Anderson's NEXXT Step Programme. Do you feel that the music community in London has a good support network for new artists?

"Yeah, I think even from when I did that project in 2018 to now it's gotten even better. Everyone is really nice. There are so many new artists and so many people making music, so finding people to collaborate with or mentor you is only a DM away."

What's an element of your artistry you wish you could change or develop?

"I would like to write for other people. I've started working with some really cool writers over the past two years and it's been very interesting to see how they work."

Let's talk style

"I love talking about fashion. It might sound silly, but on shoots, I often tell my stylists I want to convey hot girl next door. It reflects my personality—sensible and shy initially, but fiery once comfortable. I aim for a sweet, cute style with a hint of something more, which is why I describe it as hot girl next door."

When you're not working on music, what are you doing in your free time?

"I like spending time with my family and going out to shows and events with friends. I also like rewatching comfort films and TV series. My go-to comfort films would be Shark Tale and Shrek 2. My go-to series would be That's So Raven, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Game of Thrones, but I do love a good period drama like Downton Abbey. I'll also say that Mean Girls is literally generational: it's too good."

Out of all of your songs, which one are you most proud of?

"My debut single called 'We're Cool'. I wrote it when I was 16 or 17. I think that time of debuting and putting out your first song is so exciting because, at that point, you can choose who you want to be—it's the first time anyone is ever going to hear from you.

The song captured my feelings during a dramatic period at my sixth-form college. It conveyed a petty message about talking to someone only because we had mutual friends and were from the same area. I was proud of it because it started on the piano and I wrote it myself."

It's been about five years since you released your first EP Summary, can you reflect on your journey since then?

"I've put out loads of singles since [Summary] and I've been working on the next message I want to convey to people. I've met lots of cool producers and writers since then, so I've taken my time with it. We do have a working title for the project. I am very indecisive... it's a good one, though, when I know—you'll know [giggles]."

What's next for you?

"More music, more visuals, and I want to do more live shows—I just love it! I feel like it's a new era and people will be able to finally hear what I've been working on."

Stream "Superfan" by Summer Banton below: