Normani Celebrates Her Blackness on ‘Dopamine’
After six years of anticipation, Normani’s debut album, Dopamine, has finally been released. This moment marks a significant milestone for the 27-year-old artist, who has been preparing for this since her group, Fifth Harmony, went on hiatus to allow members to pursue solo careers. The album represents a bold new chapter for Normani, as she fully embraces and celebrates her sexuality, showcasing her journey into divine femininity. In a recent interview, she expressed her gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support, acknowledging the long and challenging process it took to get here.
Since embarking on her solo career, Normani has made a notable impact on the music charts. She has hit the Hot 100 chart four times, with songs like “Love Lies” featuring Khalid and “Dancing With A Stranger” with Sam Smith, both reaching the top 10. Her lead single “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B, released in 2021, also charted well, peaking at No. 14 and staying on the chart for 20 weeks.
The album Dopamine includes not only “Wild Side” but also singles like “1:59” featuring Gunna and her recent release “Candy Paint.” The bulk of the production was handled by Tommy Brown, with contributions from Starrah, Gunna, James Blake, and Cardi B. A few weeks ago, Normani released “Dopamine (First Dose),” which serves as the album’s trailer. The teaser features visuals of her and Gunna performing “1:59” and a glimpse of her dipped in silver while sitting on a rocket as “Candy Paint” plays.
Normani’s journey to this point has not been without its challenges. After the disbandment of Fifth Harmony in 2018, she found success with collaborations alongside Sam Smith and Khalid. She toured with Ariana Grande and released her first single, “Motivation,” which quickly became a hit. However, her momentum slowed down, and she faced several personal and professional obstacles that kept her from releasing consistent music. She dealt with heartbreak, her parents’ cancer treatments, and the pressure and scrutiny that followed her from her Fifth Harmony days.
Despite these challenges, Normani has continued to work her way into the spotlight. She has collaborated with Cardi B and Calvin Harris, featured in two Savage X Fenty fashion shows, and is set to make her debut in the Pedro Pascal-led film Freaky Tales. Most importantly, she has finally finished her debut album, Dopamine, which is set to be released on June 14, 2024.
Normani describes the album as a reflection of her growth and resilience. She hopes that through this body of work, people will learn more about her and her journey. She acknowledges the pressures of the wait and hopes that everyone will love the album as much as she does. She has put in a lot of effort to ensure that every detail is perfect, from the harmonies to the lyrics.
The process of making this album was impacted by the personal challenges she faced, including her parents’ cancer diagnoses. These experiences took a toll on her creativity and motivation, but she persevered. She has promised herself to be more intentional in making herself happier throughout the process and to make the next time around more enjoyable.
Normani reflects on her time in Fifth Harmony with a mix of gratitude and acknowledgment of the challenges she faced. She recognizes that those experiences have shaped her into the person she is today. She has grown more confident and comfortable in her own skin, and she is proud of the resilience she has shown.
In her solo era, Normani has found happiness in her personal life as well. She has experienced a lot with relationships and is now in a space where her love is reciprocated. This happiness has inspired some of the lyrics on her album.
Normani has received support from her peers, including Cardi B, who encouraged her to be confident. She has also collaborated with Brandy on a track for the album, which was a dream come true for her. She describes the sound of Dopamine as having a darker, edgier feel, with influences from Missy Elliott and Timbaland.
Normani hopes that through this album, people will see her strength and resilience. She has worked hard to navigate her way back to who she is and to recognize the beauty in herself. She is excited to share this body of work with the world and to continue her journey as a solo artist.
