Music

Motivation proves Normani will be an icon, just like Beyoncé and JLo


Normani has everything it takes to become the next big pop diva (Picture: RCA)

Normani Kordei Hamilton is a superstar and her new release, Motivation, proves it beyond any shadow of a doubt.

The 23-year-old finally dropped the first solo single in her post-Fifth Harmony era and for her fans around the world, it really was worth the wait. Our girl came to slay and she lived up to everything we could ever have expected.

And the best part has been the way her incredible video pays homage to Beyoncé’s Crazy In Love, Ciara’s Goodies, JLo’s I’m Real, Christina Aguilera’s Can’t Hold Us Down and Britney Spears’ Baby…One More Time, but still has its own Normani energy in the mix.

This is a girl who, like the rest of us, watched and learnt from some of the best pop and R’n’B superstars around right now. With the release of Motivation and her upcoming debut album, Normani is poised to take her place among the ranks of our favourite pop divas.

And why shouldn’t she?

The American singer – born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Houston, Texas – came to fame on The X Factor USA seven years ago and enjoyed a lot of chart success with Fifth Harmony before Camila Cabello abruptly left the band in 2016 and the remaining members went on an indefinite hiatus in March 2018.

Instead of rushing out a solo record, Normani has been releasing amazing collaborations with the likes of Sam Smith, Khalid, Wizkid, Calvin Harris and 6lack. And each track proved she has the vocals, dance moves and fan base to hold it on her own without her bandmates.

Thankfully we’ve finally been blessed with Motivation, a slice of pop perfection that was co-written with Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha and Ariana Grande. You better believe Normani made sure her big solo debut is a catchy bop that sticks in your head after the very first listen

And with a video full of throwback moments to our favourite 2000s music videos, it’s sure to get all the views (and hopefully lots of VMAs next year).

Colourism has long been an issue in the industry, and something Normani was already fully aware of during her time in Fifth Harmony (Picture: Getty Images)

It feels like we are about to witness a new era of slayage. But even with the singer putting all the right cards on the table, I can’t help but fear that it won’t be enough.

Colourism has long been an issue in the industry, and something Normani was already fully aware of during her time in Fifth Harmony when she was the member with the least amount of followers.

‘It was a subconscious thing,’ she told Billboard. ‘You think, “Why am I the least-followed in the group?” Even if you don’t recognise that you’re paying close attention to it, it takes a toll on your confidence.

Camila Cabello has been allowed to rule the charts as a solo artist, but will the equally talented Normani be given the same love? (Picture: Twitter/Sony Singapore Music)

‘You worry — is it me? Is it because I’m black? Or am I just not talented?’

Now she’s about to truly begin her journey as a solo dark-skinned artist in an industry that still tends to favour all things light, Normani is determined to be a source of inspiration and motivation for all the young women looking up to her right now.

‘There’s so much that I have to get off my chest. And there’s a responsibility I have as a black woman — one of the very few to have the power to kill it,’ she admitted back in January. ‘Even in the mainstream, there’s not many of us. Especially chocolate girls. Like, being African-American is one thing, but girls [with] my complexion, it’s unheard of. It’s me, and SZA . Who else?’

In many ways, people have claimed Normani is the Kelly Rowland of Fifth Harmony. A talented star who should have had the chance to shine brighter, but still managed to forge her own level of success despite all the obstacles in her path.

‘I see myself in Kelly,’ Normani revealed. ‘She’s killing it for brown girls. She carries herself gracefully, and Motivation – girl, that was the prime!’

As a Kelly Rowland fan, it always frustrated me to see her musical efforts fail to get the love it deserved. And I’ll be damned if I watch the same thing happen again to our sweet sis, Normani.

Normani giving pop legend Janet Jackson an award in 2018. Hopefully, she’ll be receiving similar awards in 30 years time (Picture: Disney ABC Television Group)

This is a young woman with the determination and the vision to ensure long-running chart domination.

An artist who has put in all the work necessary to make that very dream and reality, and I can only pray that she gets the recognition that she deserves.

I think it says a lot that Normani started her Motivation music video was a vision of her younger self watching BET’s 106 & Park and dreaming of the day her own work would dominate the charts.

The fact she’s signed to RCA imprint Keep Cool, the new label started by Tunji Balogun, who helped engineer the careers of Bryson Tiller, SZA, and Khalid makes me think we might finally be able to see a dark queen win big.

Watch this space!



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