01Profile
A Summer Pearl Photo
Summer Pearl
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Summer Pearl, London.
Describe your style in three words?
Whatever I want.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu- anytime she’s in London. Because she's just the queen and she takes you on a journey.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Erykah Badu and Nina Simone.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I love me some Dub. I like to feel like I’m in somewhat of a trance when I listen to music. I like to get lost in it and while my music isn’t always an obvious reflection of dub instrumentally, I feel I try to emulate the feeling of the genre in my vocals. I’m Jamaican so it's in me.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nina Simone. She was completely misunderstood, but she still ran the ship. She didn’t care. She fought for what was right even if it got her into trouble. A Goddess.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I like intimate venues. I enjoy the feeling of sharing space with people that actually want to listen to what I’m saying. One of my favourite venues I’ve played at is Laylow on Golborne Road. The aesthetics are like a 1950s bar/recording studio. I’m an old soul so I love stuff like that.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Right now, not enough people know about Jah 9. Jah 9 transcends you. She is a writer, musician and healer and I feel everyone needs to hear her message. There are a lot of positive, beautiful women out there doing their thing. We need to wake up.
For more on Summer-Pearl visit linktr.ee/summerpearl
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Ready or Not' by The Fugees. I would play that over and over again in the car with my Dad. I remember writing down Lauryn's lyrics word for word until I got them right and then memorising them so I could impress my Dad in the car.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Golden' by Jill Scott. I would listen to this all the time! I would sing this for every assembly at school and it was a part of my set for a while. Literally, everyone would sing this to me if I walked past them at school. Jill Scott is just an inspiration to me and Golden really got me through some times in my life.
One record you would keep forever?
'Baduizm' by Erykah Badu.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Who the cap fit, let them wear it”
From 'Who The Cap Fit' by Bob Marley. There are a lot of people in this world whether it be in a personal or professional setting that will show themselves to you and when they do, believe them. And smile. I learnt that at quite a young age. Thank you, Bob.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'The Cure & The Cause' by Fish Go Deep.
A song you wished you had written?
'Green Eyes' by Erykah Badu. I feel that song; each and every part. The lyrics are just amazing and unapologetic and the instrumentation itself is just mad. That's three songs in one right there. That’s three emotions. It must have been a really beautiful writing process.
Best song to turn up loud?
There’s too many! But right now, I’m listening to a lot of '90s hip-hop again so, 'Get Me Home' by Foxy Brown.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I’m not sure. I take a lot of inspiration from everything in my own music, so I don’t think people would be surprised by what I like to be honest.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
It’s always gonna be 'Candy' by Cameo. Every birthday, every wedding, every funeral.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Rebel' by Nakira.
'Omega Mother Goddess' by Teshay Makeda.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Summer Pearl, London.
Describe your style in three words?
Whatever I want.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erykah Badu- anytime she’s in London. Because she's just the queen and she takes you on a journey.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Erykah Badu and Nina Simone.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I love me some Dub. I like to feel like I’m in somewhat of a trance when I listen to music. I like to get lost in it and while my music isn’t always an obvious reflection of dub instrumentally, I feel I try to emulate the feeling of the genre in my vocals. I’m Jamaican so it's in me.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Nina Simone. She was completely misunderstood, but she still ran the ship. She didn’t care. She fought for what was right even if it got her into trouble. A Goddess.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I like intimate venues. I enjoy the feeling of sharing space with people that actually want to listen to what I’m saying. One of my favourite venues I’ve played at is Laylow on Golborne Road. The aesthetics are like a 1950s bar/recording studio. I’m an old soul so I love stuff like that.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Right now, not enough people know about Jah 9. Jah 9 transcends you. She is a writer, musician and healer and I feel everyone needs to hear her message. There are a lot of positive, beautiful women out there doing their thing. We need to wake up.
For more on Summer-Pearl visit linktr.ee/summerpearl
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Ready or Not' by The Fugees. I would play that over and over again in the car with my Dad. I remember writing down Lauryn's lyrics word for word until I got them right and then memorising them so I could impress my Dad in the car.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Golden' by Jill Scott. I would listen to this all the time! I would sing this for every assembly at school and it was a part of my set for a while. Literally, everyone would sing this to me if I walked past them at school. Jill Scott is just an inspiration to me and Golden really got me through some times in my life.
One record you would keep forever?
'Baduizm' by Erykah Badu.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Who the cap fit, let them wear it”
From 'Who The Cap Fit' by Bob Marley. There are a lot of people in this world whether it be in a personal or professional setting that will show themselves to you and when they do, believe them. And smile. I learnt that at quite a young age. Thank you, Bob.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'The Cure & The Cause' by Fish Go Deep.
A song you wished you had written?
'Green Eyes' by Erykah Badu. I feel that song; each and every part. The lyrics are just amazing and unapologetic and the instrumentation itself is just mad. That's three songs in one right there. That’s three emotions. It must have been a really beautiful writing process.
Best song to turn up loud?
There’s too many! But right now, I’m listening to a lot of '90s hip-hop again so, 'Get Me Home' by Foxy Brown.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I’m not sure. I take a lot of inspiration from everything in my own music, so I don’t think people would be surprised by what I like to be honest.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
It’s always gonna be 'Candy' by Cameo. Every birthday, every wedding, every funeral.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Rebel' by Nakira.
'Omega Mother Goddess' by Teshay Makeda.