Summer Walker's "CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE" EP Earns Erykah Badu Comparisons

Fri, May 19, 2023 at 11:57 AM

Summer Walker and Erykah Badu have a bond that runs deep. Not only are they both beautifully talented R&B stars in their own right, but their chosen career paths have also allowed them to connect in a far deeper way. The birth of the Atlanta native's twins a few months ago was actually overseen by "The Healer" herself, who shared plenty of thoughtful words about her experience acting as Walker's doula alongside her own daughter, Puma Curry. While they have yet to actually collaborate together musically, it seems Badu's energy is rubbing off on her young friend, as her influence is all over the latter's new CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP.

The project is a long-awaited sequel to 2019's CLEAR, on which she shared four featureless tracks with fans. The mother of three spiced things up this time around, recruiting J. Cole to kick things off with "To Summer, From Cole - Audio Hug," as well as Childish Gambino, who offered up his help on "New Type." The other seven titles are handled by Walker alone, though she did have Solange Knowles and Steve Lacy's help with production on the final title, "Agayu's Revelation."

Read More: Summer Walker Giving Birth To Twins, Erykah Badu Seemingly Confirms

Summer Walker's CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE is Here

In the hours since CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE hit DSPs, fans have been consistently drawing comparisons to Badu on social media. Many of them are positive, writing messages like, "Summer Walker really Erykah Badu Goddaughter. Love this sound sm," and "[This] is what I didn't know I needed." Others, however, are unimpressed by the Still Over It songstresses' copycat vibes. "Summer Walker on Erykah Badu beats with these dumb ass lyrics is pissing me off," one Twitter user ranted on Friday (May 19) morning.

"I got mixed feelings about this Summer EP. I do appreciate the Erykah Badu inspo and shit... But we need Summer Walker, not Summer Badu," another person expressed, noting that they hope the project eventually grows on them with time.

Read More: J. Cole Confirms He's Working On "The Fall Off" On Summer Walker's EP

Twitter Brings Up Erykah Badu Comparisons

Keep scrolling to read more mixed Twitter reactions to the new 9-track EP. Have you streamed Summer Walker's CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP yet? If not, check it out here, and let us know in the comments which of the R&B darling's new songs is your favourite.

summer walker just gave us a good erykah badu type- cleaning the house on a beautiful sunday, while burning a nice finely scented incense type of EP, and y'all are complaining?? the music is a vibe... it just might not be for some of y'all
— Jalen Major (@JalenMajor) May 19, 2023

summer walker on erykah badu beats with these dumb ass lyrics is pissing me off
— Simone (@babyhendrx) May 19, 2023

yea summer walker been hanging with ari lennox & erykah badu for sure this EP screams them
— 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 (@adoseofnette) May 19, 2023

Mind you, Erykah Badu helped Summer birth her twins. She's literally been blessed by the hands of Badu. https://t.co/2CgxMUU0Dh
— musiq ☆ (@musiqofsoul) May 19, 2023

Summer Walker really Erykah Badu Goddaughter. Love this sound sm.
— KHILAN' (@YouNotMyHoe) May 19, 2023

You can say what you want about Summer Walker but when she goes into that studio she's going to give you quality fucking music. That Pull Up sound like some Erykah Badu Jill Scott type of shit.
— The Fish (@StevieDwayne) May 16, 2023