Summer Dennis & Rhymes – Ghetto Rona

By starrymag | October 1, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s R&B with a lot of edge and a lot of nostalgia. I like to use a lot of instrumentation.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I am inspired by a lot of great woman vocalists including Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Minnie Ripperton, Chaka Kahn and Emily King. I really love a lot of the woman rappers right now especially Meg the Stallion and Cardi B.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Ghetto Rona.”

 

A) Me and my partner Bill [Moore] were literally sitting in the room and I was texting my friend about how ghetto it is that we can’t even go outside without a mask and gloves. And that it’s even MORE ghetto that if we wear a mask outside and if we don’t, a cop might beat us. And that finally its SUPER ghetto that we live in a country that can’t protect its citizens during a pandemic, and the citizens won’t even wear masks to protect themselves. This is the hood. This is the ghetto.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I have seen the posts where people say that COVID-19 is the ghetto or that we’re all living in a country that the ghetto now. We are suffering hard under a regime that doesn’t care about any of us and uses abuses of black people as a distraction. We are all tired and I think my song sounds about how tired myself and the rest of us are without stupid species and the super stupids running society right now.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) Well, one thing to notice is that “when I said n***** always shooting” and “babies always dying” I showed the Dylan Roof and the children killed at Sandy Hook. The statements I’m making in the chorus come off like I’m talking about the black community, but I’m not. I’m talking about AMERICA. Good ol’ red white and blue ‘Murcia. My only direct reference to the black community is “aunties always crying”… and that lyric is about Black women (whom I often refer to as my aunties and sisters) because often, we end up crying. Whether it’s about losing a child or loved one to police violence, whether it’s our partners abusing us, whether it’s the treatment of black women in hospitals (where we die more than any demographic during birth); that line is about black femicide.

 

Q) What makes this track perfect for Summer 2020?

 

A) This track has a nice rhythm and a lot of guitars. While it does sound like the Summer, it is sad this summer just like us. And it captures the emotion of the audience. I think people relate to the mood of the music by Bill Moore and the lyrics we put to it.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I typically have to have a melody before I can start writing. My vocal delivery comes from the melody.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) My partner Bill arranges the music around my vocals and then we basically select the best producer to bring it to life. It’s been a struggle, a lot of producers in DC think that they are to be the end all when it comes to an artist’s sound and not work collaboratively with their client. But I’m a classically trained musician and I used to produce anyway. I just don’t have time now. So, while this is a male dominated part of the music business, I have to be a part of it and the producers in DC really, really seem to have a problem with that. It’s definitely made this a slow climb.

 

Q) Will there be an upcoming album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) October! 9 songs! We ready! Look out for it!!!!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Man, I really loved performing at Bethesda Blues Alley. It’s a historic stage and I did that gig with Rare Essence, who is one of the best Gogo bands in DC. I also loved performing at Lamont’s. It’s an outdoor stage.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Omgggggggff BEYONCEEEEEEEE

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Aw man, I’m really stuck on Thundercat latest. It’s all retro feeeels. I love themmmmm.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Well, they’re right there in the phone! No matter where they are, I can say hi to everyone, I can talk to them, I can sing to them… all my supporters are right there! That’s really allowed me to experience love from people all over the world. And I really try to show love back. Everyone’s so nice and receiving of our music across the country. Our views on YouTube have been growing (currently at 80k for “Ghetto Rona”) and I’m just thankful that people allow me to be a part of their life through my music.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I just want to say that I love you and that I do this for you. I’m trying so hard to be an inspiration and to give people something to enjoy and a light in a dark world. I am thankful that you receive me and my music and I receive you in return.