Summer Dennis Wows In DC Ahead Of Endless Summer Tour

When Summer Dennis isn’t enchanting audiences and opening for legends like Melanie Fiona, she’s creating opportunities for other artists on the rise like the “Issa Rae of the R&B girlies.” Before an exclusive interview with BOSSIP, Summer brought down the house at the Howard Theater.

With a voice even bigger than her hair and a personality to match, Summer Dennis confidently commanded the historic stage in Washington, D.C. on April 29. She started by serenading the audience with her smooth slow jam, “You and Me.” Summer flexed her velvety vocals and moved the room to her upbeat ode to situationships, “So Unnecessary.” The dynamic delivery put the crowd under her spell as she cleverly blended her new soulful songs with classics.

Picking up the pace, she beautifully belted her new single “Ain’t No Way,” which captivated the crowd until they sang and danced along to the infectious empowerment anthem. She closed with “Pink Lotus,” the sultry fan-favorite that inspired a stimulating self-love panel with MadameNoire. If Melanie Fiona fans arrived expecting just one powerhouse performer, they undeniably discovered another in Summer Dennis.

Summer’s passion permeates every aspect of her craft, from writing layered lyrics to collaborating with the choreography queen Laurieann Gibson. Her classically trained voice easily tackles genres like soul, pop, and R&B, blending them into a timeless signature sound. The polished performer built a reputation for excellence, frequently opening for the best of the best like Raheem DeVaughn, DVSN, Latto, and more.

Now, the Maryland native is hitting the road as a headliner. After leaving the audience clamoring for more, Summer sat down with BOSSIP to discuss her journey as an independent artist, building with other creatives like the “R&B game Issa Rae,” and launching the Endless Summer tour on May 11 in D.C.

Hit the flip for Summer Dennis’ interview with BOSSIP and what the dynamic diva is bringing to a city near you.

Summer Dennis Talks The Indie Artist Grind, Standing On Business With “Ain’t No Way,” And Putting On Local Artists Throughout The Endless Summer Tour

Thank you for speaking with BOSSIP! You did an amazing job onstage! What has this experience been like coming from PG County and performing back in front of a hometown crowd tonight?

It’s a huge journey because we really worked hard to build a fanbase here. Out of town, I found more fans, so being able to perform here on these stages like I have in LA, New York, and Atlanta. It’s really good to get that opportunity at home.

Your songs really have had this empowering theme, similar to the rap girlies who’ve had their feet on necks when it comes to demanding their respect. Your last songs have definitely had that energy with “Pink Lotus,” “So Unnecessary,” and now, “Ain’t No Way.” Is that part of your ideology as an artist?

I really gravitated toward that song because I was feeling like that about life. So many parts of life that I’m not going back to the old things. “Ain’t No Way” is really a song about making a firm decision, making a firm boundary, or multiple boundaries.

It really is about claiming your life for yourself, whatever the topic is. I’ve had girls tell me they listen to it on their way to work when their boss is going to be acting crazy. Or doing it on the treadmill because they know they have a health goal. And I love the song because it’s so motivational. Definitely part of the Summer ideology!

Speaking of your ideology, in addition to putting yourself on and blowing up as the next big name in R&B and all the genres that you do, you’ve also been putting on other artists with your showcase. Can you share a little bit more about networking across with other artists like the “R&B Issa Rae”?

I’m at Lydia on H and it is a great restaurant, great kitchen, and the owner’s dope. We open the stage to let people showcase themselves and they can do it with a live band. I’ve got a live band full of up and coming musicians.

And the environment we’ve created is so welcoming and it’s really good because a lot of people are buying up small stages, so we’re losing those opportunities to grow and to make our mistakes and get our reps in. And what I’m learning is people really value that. And I didn’t realize I would have that mark on the community. So it’s cool to make a difference in other people’s lives. And a lot of them are starting to gravitate to my music just because they see me every other weekend. So it’s cool. I’m out with the people. I’m outside!

Summer doesn’t stop at carving out a creative space in her D.C. stomping grounds. On the upcoming Endless Summer tour, which kicks off on May 11, she’s tapping in with artists in communities across the country. The multitalented star is not just setting the stage on fire, she’s opening it up to fellow performers.

You talk about getting your reps and you put a lot of work into your vocal training, your movement on stage. You did an incredible show just now. What is next for you after all this preparation? What does this next chapter look like for you?

Well, so we have our tour coming up. It’s called Endless Summer! And I’m gonna have lots of great people on there. Nature Boi, who’s my manager, he’s also touring with us and we’ve got some really dope openers in each city. And the tour, we’re also going to open up the stage. We’re gonna do an artist showcase so people can come and perform as openers and they just have to sign up. And then also we’re doing what we call open jam and the musicians can come and [be] with the artists.

And…we’re doing DC, Baltimore, New York, LA, and Kansas City. And if anybody else wants to book us, we’re going there, too. And I’m the creative director of Plus The Designer Is Black! We’re putting on for the culture! So come get some, get on stage, we’re coming to your city and it’s going to be awesome.

You can find all the news about Summer Dennis, tour info, and all of her amazing music on social media at @itsthesummer.