Emerging singer Summer Dennis has enlisted super producer Harmony Samuels (Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande) for a reggae remix of her single “Pink Lotus.”
The remix of the soulful track is a celebration of Dennis’ Jamaican roots and her love for reggae music. “I used to be in the reggae clubs all the time. I love to dance,” the Maryland native tells Rated R&B. “Harmony Samuels is an amazing producer. I got to go work with him in the studio [and] that was so awesome. That was a dream come true.”
The original version of “Pink Lotus,” released in May via Rhymes Enterpresies, features genre-bending singer Kaash Paige.
Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Dennis explains, “I was searching for songs that sound like what women think about. I didn’t want it to be super gendered. I didn’t want it to be ‘the girl running after the boy.’ I wanted it to be a song where a woman is telling a story, and it doesn’t necessarily center a specific love interest and a specific orientation. I love stories about women where we don’t have to be the damsel in distress or the purity girl coming into her own or whatever.”
Dennis continues, “I love that this was kind of like a tongue-in-cheek way of a woman really discussing what she wants intimately and how she wants it to go without it having to be this societal thing. It’s just a girl talking to whomever she’s talking to.”
“Pink Lotus (Reggae Remix)” arrives with a vibrant visualizer that finds Dennis in a pink bedroom, joined by two other dancers, as they move their bodies to the irresistible groove.
Below, Summer Dennis talks about her musical upbringing “Pink Lotus” and teases more new music.
How would you describe your musical upbringing?
I grew up in PG County in Bowie. I had lots of piano [and] vocal lessons. I also went to praise rehearsal with my mom. She had me and then I was one of the praise team babies. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember; it’s the thing I love the most. I love being on stage.
If you could choose one word to describe your artistry, what would it be?
Eclectic. I enjoy singing so much and I have so many influences. I’ve learned so many styles of music.
What was your intention when making “Pink Lotus”?
I received that song from Kaydence, a Grammy-winning songwriter. I was searching for songs that sound like what women think about. I didn’t want it to be super gendered. I didn’t want it to be the girl running after the boy. I wanted it to be a song where a woman is telling a story, and it doesn’t necessarily center a specific love interest and a specific orientation. I love stories about women where we don’t have to be the damsel in distress or the purity girl coming into her own.
I love that this was kind of like a tongue-in-cheek way of a woman discussing what she wants intimately and how she wants it to go without it having to be this societal thing. It’s a girl talking to whomever she’s talking to. I love that Me and Kaash are two women, and we’re on the record. It’s like, “Are they talking to each other? Who are they talking to?” I felt like the song would be open to a lot of different types of women and they would relate to it. “Pink Lotus” is such a pretty way to refer to our bodies. I think that’s so cute — and I love the color pink.
Kaash Paige is featured on the original version. What made her a great pick for this song?
Well, as a vocalist, I don’t use auto-tune since I’m classically trained, and I grew up singing in church. I love that her vocalizing is more like the sing-rap kind of thing. I love that it has that contrast. That’s something that’s difficult for me to offer sonically. It’s like two different perspectives. Also, she wrote her part, so it was kind of in response to what was already there. I love the different textures that happened when we got together on the song. She did a great job. I love it.
You have a project on the way titled Rogue. What story do you plan to tell?
The whole thing with Rogue, I have always been kind of different from everyone I’ve been around. The whole thing is about being different but being special. I have some love stories, but it’s not a traditional love story. Like, “So Unnecessary” [featuring Gene Noble], the girl that I’m writing about, she’s basically ghosting this guy, and he is begging to be there and she is like, “This was not a big deal. Calm down.” So I have different types of stories about different types of women.
When can we expect the project?
It’s going to be early next year. We have all the tracks mixed and mastered. It’s just a matter of the perfect timing. I’m really excited. I’m not sure if the album’s coming with “So Unnecessary,” but we’re definitely dropping at the top of the year.
Listen to Summer Dennis’ “Pink Lotus: The Reggae Remix,” produced by Harmony Samuels, below.
