Summer Walker Doesn't Like Current R&B, Calls Herself an 'Old School Girl'

The 29-year-old singer opened up about her musical taste, admitting she prefers classic R&B over the current wave dominating the charts.

ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Summer Walker attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV

Summer Walker isn't a fan of contemporary R&B, despite being one of its biggest names.

While attending the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sunday night (September 7), the vocalist spoke to Complex's Jordan Rose , who asked for her opinion on the "current state of R&B."

"I don't like it," the "Spend It" artist said. "Well, it's no shade–I'm just an old school girl."

Walker elaborated that she gravitates toward the classics: "So, I really love just like all the SWVs, and the XSCAPE and the Brandy, she said, adding that she almost named someone she couldn’t mention. "I just love old school R&B."

Walker, who attended the VMAs with an older gentleman, hopefully got her old school R&B fix by watching Mariah Carey, who performed a medley at the ceremony before receiving the Video Vanguard Award.

Walker, who attended the VMAs with an older gentleman, may have gotten her fix when Mariah Carey performed a medley before accepting the Video Vanguard Award.

The 29-year-old singer also advised today’s R&B artists to focus on stronger songwriting. "Write about a trifling n***a, and have a smart pen," she said.

Walker has experienced her own share of bad breakups, most recently with rapper Rico Recklezz—a split she once admitted nearly made her give up on men altogether.

To revisit Summer Walker’s past work, including her acclaimed 2019 debut Over It, check out her discography at Complex.

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