Normani’s Reign Is Imminent!

A Beyonce-esque performance at the Billboard Music Awards and a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 are just some of Normani’s mega achievements since her former group, Fifth Harmony, went on hiatus last year. It’s not an outlandish reality that a former girlbander (I coined that!) is not put on a pedestal; the world will watch in anticipation for proof that you can hold your own. And it doesn’t help that Camila Cabello’s unceremonious exit two years ago and her subsequent success had the whole world pitting her against her former bandmates. Normani’s stint on Dancing With The Stars introduced the world to the monster of a performer that she is. From the out-of-body splits to the perfectly synchronized moves with Val-her co-dancer- a star was born. She may have controversially finished at 3rd place but if the silent(read loud) unanimous agreement among watchers was anything to go by, Normani essentially carried the day.Fast forward to 2018 and Normani’s star was bound to shine even the more brighter. Love Lies, her inescapably catchy duet with Khalid, rose to the top of the pop charts and debuted at #9 on the Hot 100. Such was no mean feat-Normani is now the only other former group member, other than Kelly Rowland,to have her debut single rise up to the top ten.  Her earth-shattering performance at the BBMAs had the whole scene abuzz.

As if all that was not enough to assert her stance as a force to reckon with and the next huge breakout star, a myriad A-listers have backed her up. She was handpicked by Janet Jackson-who she admittedly idolizes- to pay tribute to her. Nicki Minaj gave her a shoutout at the VMAs after Tiffany Haddish attempted to throw a subliminal to her and her former group, and all that pales in comparison to the fact that Beyoncé,who she has relentlessly been compared to, has given her a stamp of approval. Nothing screams ‘superstar’ more than that! 

Her highly anticipated collabs with Calvin Harris ‘Checklist’ and ‘Slow Down’ dropped a few months ago to loads of critical acclaim. Waves, her scorchiest RnB ballad yet, dropped last November and it further solidified her ground as music’s next it-girl. It’s a nostalgic 90s sound that showcases her other worldly vocal range and versatility. She has recently revealed that her gravely anticipated debut album drops next summer. Her rumored collaboration with Sam Smith could be in the works too! Hold on to your proverbial wigs as Normani is about to have your scalp hurting this year!