As the star on the cover of Teen Vogue’s October issue, Normani – born Normani Kordei Hamilton – shared her take on making music as both a woman and as a Black person in the industry today. While many are clamouring for the multi-talented artist to release her album, she’s in no rush. Instead, Normani is making waves in the industry wherever she can. From being named one of the ambassadors for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie line to being chosen as Urban Decay’s Global Citizen, she’s making sure the women who look like she does are represented in the media.
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Which is one of the many reasons why she jumped at the opportunity to be a featured dancer in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s hit, “WAP”.
“The ‘WAP’ video I was really, really excited to be a part of, just because I feel like we’re in a time in music where women — and Black women — are really on top, which is something I feel like we haven’t seen in a very, very long time. Where I come from, we were all about female empowerment. The fact that I could be a part of such a special moment, in which I definitely think there’s a double standard, [was exciting] to be a part of it.”
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And empowerment can go a long way. Especially for the young talent that Normani is. Having to navigate the transition from being a part of a group to going solo is no easy feat. After all, her story started with Fifth Harmony and her history with them will follow her where she goes. Which is why her solo album is so important – both for fans of the singer and for herself. In her interview with Teen Vogue, she shared that the album is her “opportunity for the public to be able to get to know [her] in a way that they haven’t been able to before”.
“I feel hurt, sad, elated sometimes. I feel like I’m in my head. I feel not so confident. I just want to be able to show not only women, but people in general, that I am a human as well.”
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However, this vulnerability is also what fuels the 24-year-old award-winning artist. While 1/5th of the group ‘Fifth Harmony’, Normani was subject to cyberbullies who bombarded her with racists attacks after what they perceived as her snub of another group member. The hate involved comparing Normani to a monkey and multiple uses of the N-word. As if this wasn’t bad enough, both Normani and her family were the victims of violent threats against their lives. Following this, Normani took a break from social media to remind herself that she is enough, that the colour of her skin and the culture that she comes from is nothing short of beautiful, and that all that matters is that she loves herself. With this, she is focused on helping other girls feel the same through representation.
“To be a young woman that looks like myself, I just feel like [being a positive example] is a part of my legacy. It’s me wanting to create better opportunities for us, and also just for people who think that they got us figured out, [I want to show that] we are multifaceted and capable of much more than we get credit for, in the music industry and also in society. I feel like I have a duty. I want to change lives and I want to reach as many people as I can. I feel like that’s the difference between doing something that you love and also having purpose. I want to tell our stories and, like I said, be a representation that Black girls can do anything…I feel like it’s my calling.”
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Ever since Fifth Harmony (one of the biggest girl groups to come out of The X Factor) announced that they would be on an indefinite hiatus in 2018, Normani has been busy collaborating with big names like Calvin Harris (“Checklist,” “Slow Down”), Khalid (“Love Lies”), and Sam Smith (“Dancing With a Stranger”) while also recording movie soundtracks for the likes of ‘Charlies Angels (“Bad To You”) and ‘Birds of Prey’ (“Diamonds). However, other than her smash hit, “Motivation” released back in 2019, she’s taking her time with her own full-length album.
“When God tells me that it’s done, then it’ll be done. I’ll feel it, you know?”
Until then, we can only wait patiently in the hopes that she blesses us with more music!
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