Normani’s debut album DOPAMINE is upon us. I discuss the rollout and why the performance of this album won’t matter in the long run Follow me on Instagram @kevinortegarojas #Normani #Reaction #Dopamine #Music
Yess!!! Thank You!!!! Thank you for speaking out on this. People are lazy and don’t read the interviews. Normani is a STAR!!! I listen to SWING religiously!!! “Don’t they” from Josh Levi ft Normani was so good too!
1. The core fan base argument definitely makes sense. People go viral, have many followers yet they can't sell albums. (For various reasons) 2. Debut albums might be losing the meaning they used to have since it is harder to sell records now given the streaming climate.
People are like sirens whaaaaaa, whaaa album date. which song should be released, flop or bop. Let people be and create their work in a timely manner that feels right for them. Appreciate their work because it’s not an easy journey.
Just wanted to leave a comment to say thank you for being one of the few people online who are giving Normani more grace with her situation. Regardless of any valid criticisms about her, Dopamine, and the rollout for it, I think many fans online are being completely blindsighted by how the streaming era has negatively molded our expectations and confidence for the artists we listen to--AND not being mature enough to be aware of that behavior in themselves and others. This is the same situation that happened with Chloe Bailey's debut album, too, and it's honestly heartbreaking to see so many Black female singers go through so much struggle for no reason at all.
I wish her and this project much success 🙌! I'm not a fan, but I must give credit where it's due. She's talented, hard working, and gorgeous 😍! That in itself deserves 👏!
I AGREE with you...Normani just did an album release party and why in the world would she release her videos during the Kendrick and Drake beef. People are just so negative I could never be entertainer in this era.
I just listened to the album and it wasn’t all that it was. It’s not a bad album but I just 678 years or 10 years later and this is what you have to offer like it could’ve been so much better but she signed to a record label so it’s not her for is the record on her team. She probably wasn’t able to put out the music that fell up to her. That’s why she needs to go independentwhen you independent you can do what you want but she doesn’t have that luxury because she has a record deal. Kind of feel bad for her but it’s her choice. She chose to sign that deal and sign her life away and her rights teaches on.
I agree with you! People put what too much pressure on newer artists/new solo artists and their projects. People expect perfection and that’s what makes artists fall into that mental headspace of wanting perfection too. As a singer/songwriter myself, it’s hard enough dealing with my perfectionist mindset even before the noise of others. I can’t imagine what famous people go through mentally. ❤
I like her music with Sam Smith dancing with the strangers.. haters gonna hate.. if it was back then where people actually buy CDs I'm sure it's different vibes..then streaming..
Anyone who has an annointing on them are always going to have certified haters....all she has to do is plan her work and work her plan....keep working QUEEN 👸🏽❤🎉😊
I absolutely agree with you! it took Janet Jackson & Rihanna 2 whole albums until they had their actual COMMERCIAL DEBUT and became the respective icons/legends we know them as today, besides all the music we’ve heard from her whether it was released and unreleased was amazing so I have the upmost faith in her and her creative process/direction/vision not to mention her ability to create a moment for herself and still keep her name afloat and in demand without overexposing herself! Great Vid frien will be subbing 👌🏾
What gets me is normani isn’t the only r&b artist that music hasn’t done good…. I don’t understand why she gets dragged for her music but you got coco jones who doing worst than normani is doing but you don’t see people dragging her for her music not doing good….
I agree and disagree. I agree with trusting Normani and her creative journey. I do not trust RCA . In this streaming age, innovative and artistic journeys differ from the Janet, Usher, Madonna, etc eras. Streaming has forced music to be solely about numbers and not art. These companies do not put money behind the Black girls. Normani had to pay for the partial cost of the music video for "Wild Side". These music companies will put money behind the white girls. Chloe is getting no promo for "Boy Bye" or "FYS". Tinashe had to become independent after RCA. After many years, she has a hit. The white girls have bigger PR teams, more "relatable" images (more brand deals), and bigger budgets for music videos. Nobody is talking about the fact that Espresso was stolen from Alex Urbane. After he spoke, Sabrina's team had his music wiped from Apple Music and most of Spotify. The lyrics have been taken off of Genius. We can't even compare the lyrics because the song is in French. Most of Sabrina's fans have gaslighted and dragged the poor man. The white girls are allowed to get a hit by any means. There is no major backlash. I see creative development for Chappel Roan, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish. I do not see this care being put into the careers of Chloe, Bree Runway, or any other Black girl who is on a music label. The music labels are not in favor of art or the Black girls ( or anyone of color). I am just hoping that Normani becomes independent.
I agree with you completely. My point was more so that in the long run this one album will not make or break Normani’s career. Yea Tinashe didn’t have a ‘hit’ for a while but I’ve seen plenty of sold out shows. She’s booked consistently and now she has a smash hit that the general public loves. I think Normani still has a chance even if this album doesn’t do ‘huge’ numbers
@@kevinortegarojas Okay. I listened to the album, and it is amazing! Now, the ball is in RCA's court. If they drop the ball, Normani's greatest advantage is her mystic personality. She is not going to oversaturate the market. It also keeps us interested in her. I am going to continue streaming the music, buying a vinyl, and listening to the songs on RU-vid. Our girl needs the support!
This comment is to provide more context than anything: Charli XCX is half Indian. It just adds to the fact that these records labels will jump at promoting anyone who's white-passing enough over a visible minority.
I walked into your video, ready to hate on you, and boy, you completely shocked me. You're a huge fan, and I agree and love all of what you're saying here about Normani. I was not a fan of 5th harmony and found Normani when she did her tribute to Janet and have been in love ever since. Thanx for the history lesson. I adore 'Dopamine'. I do think debut albums mean a lot to new artists, but as you've stated here, Normani is hardly new at this game. If she's happy, I'm good. I wish 'Fair' made it on the album, but I included it in the que when I played the album. All good. You're dope. This video is awesome. Keep going. Best of luck to U❣️
Haha thanks for sticking around I appreciate that. And I agree with you, I think ‘Fair’ absolutely fit the sound of the album. There are some unreleased tracks I think also could’ve fit. Maybe if she releases a deluxe version.
Well here's the thing. It's not that we don't trust Normani. We just don't trust her label. Yes she's promoting her album with interviews and photoshoots. But we need MVs and live performances from her. She should already been on Jimmy Fallon and I have yet to hear her team saying she'll perform on the BET awards. We just want to see more of Normani not less. It's not all her fault. It's the label's fault. That's just my two cents.
I find it interesting that RCA decided to promote a Victoria Monet single from last year during Normani's release week. I love Victoria but RCA intentionally wants to demean Normani by not giving her the push she deserves, just songs without a video seems like sabotage to me.
I dont think they’re competitors but also I’m fine with Victoria Monet getting a push. She’s been in the game for over a decade. She has two writing credits on Normani’s album that she’s also promoting.
The biggest mistake of Normani's career was scrapping If It Ain't Me with Dua Lipa. That bop was meant to be the song of the summer she would have got a huge smash hit that would have brought her so much success. Every time I play the song to any of my friends they gag at how good it is. Apparently the reason to not drop it was she did not want to be related to pop at the time but still stupid because it would have made more people to get to know her & appreciate her talent so she could have benefit a lot from it once she put her new music. Fair it's a MASTERPIECE & would have suit perfectly on the album, it's a stupid decision not including it specially since the album lacks of a more proper ballad. Also how she drops the album before Candy Paint gets it's music video? The self sabotage is insane like people would have gagged having both at the same time. Also All Yours seems a bad promo single when songs like Lights On, Take Your Time & Insomnia have so much potential. PS: As an Arianator I understand what you mean by Sweetener being the moment in which she had all the eyes on her but My Everything was already a huge moment that basically made her a global popstar & stil one of the most successful female eras of all time she tied Michael Jackson, Madonna & Adele records with it
I think it’s easy for us as listeners as consumers to listen to a song like the Dua remix and say ‘omg this would’ve been such a hit!!!’ but for Normani as the artist constantly making music, I don’t think it’s that easy to tell. Something’s stick and some dont. I also give her grace because she has said she felt pressured to cater to the pop audience she had from 5H but she wanted to make music that was very soulful and speaks to the Black community and I get that. I understand her not wanting to do too much pop. It’s a fair decision. As far as ‘All Yours’ I havent heard anything about it being a promo song. However, it’s the best song on the album haha
I promise I've been telling ppl that this woman had not made a bad song... Yet! Like, she's been consistently killing it. I wonder if she knows this. The track titled.. slow down is slept on!!
I agree 100% that a debut album does not make or brake a professional recording artist, and I say that as someone who is a die-hard Rihanna stan and who's been in love with Rihanna's music since her debut album, 2005s Music Of The Sun. For me personally, I still regard that album as being one of her best bodies of work and one of my favorite Rihanna albums.....but the general public, and that includes a lot of people who call themselves Rihanna fans, simply do not know this album. To date her debut album is not even certified Platinum in the United States of America...yet, Rihanna is one of the biggest names in contemporary music today in his found so much success as a professional recording artist. It's because of this that I never really understood the importance of a debut album that I just don't really understand why Normani's hesitation resulted in such a long delay. I definitely get how the personal issues in her life like dealing with her parents' cancer diagnosis could cause her to put music on the back burner. However, I don't understand the anxiety about "getting it right"with your debut album and not wanting to put out a body of work until it felt perfect to you. When I think about the overwhelming majority of contemporary R&B and pop singers, most of their debut albums are either underrated or forgotten by their fan base and the general public at large. All you need on a debut album is one or two singles that are hot enough to get you through to a sophomore project. Now obviously success with a debut album will determine how your record label response to your desire to put out a sophomore album, (and if your shit doesn't do well, they probably won't want to invest money in your project) but with one or two (maybe three) top 10 singles, a couple popular features with other artists, a tour in some endorsements, one can make it through. Beyond that, personally, though I know what appear that R&B music is rather popular I don't know if I would throw all of my hope into becoming a professional recording artist known for making R&B music because R&B singers just don't get the support from their fan base. And we can talk ad nauseam about the racism that exists within the music industry and how pop artists get more promotion... But the pop fans come out and support their faves and ways that R&B artist simply don't. And that's not just with the new R&B artist. You'll see this even when it comes to highly respected R&B artists that are deemed icons and Legends in that genre. Many of them don't have multi-platinum selling albums or even multiple platinum selling albums. There are so many people we deem icons and legends and R&B music who have a catalog of music where one of seven albums went platinum or one went platinum two went gold and the rest received no RIAA certification at all. And when they tore they definitely don't do large arenas. I guess in a way it's up to the artist as to whether or not they want to be commercially successful or if they want to be respected for their music but I think it's too much of a gamble to throw all of your hope in R&B music and want a massive career. When you look at the careers of people like Beyoncé and Rihanna they did not get to where they've gotten solely catering to a hardcore R&B audience. Beyoncé popped at a point in time in American culture where R&B and hip hop were the pop music at the time and Rihanna established herself as a legitimate pop artist before finding her way back to what we could deem contemporary urban alternative music. Thought I know she herself did not enjoy Motivation as a record, I wonder if she still should make an effort to find success in the mainstream pop lane and not solely focus on R&B music. I was definitely disappointed in the lack of pure pop records on the album and I personally don't understand why the album did not include both Motivation and Waves (Waves definitely fit with the vibe of the album).
Whoa whoa whoa okay thank you for sharing all of these thoughts!! I really love when people give me a lot to think about. I hear everything you’re saying, I have two specific things I want to respond to, though: When it comes to her hesitation and anxiety with releasing her first album and her need to ‘get it right’ I won’t fault her for it. Creative people are protective of their art and their reputation. Moreover, we don’t know if her contract with RCA goes beyond one album or if her follow ups are based on the reception/performance of her debut. So while I personally don’t believe that in the grand scheme of things that debut albums matter all that much, I don’t know what her specific business model looks like or how it will be effected by the outcome of this album. Ya know? Lastly, I hear what you’re saying about R&B but … as a huge lover of R&B music I think that the genre its self is getting the love and respect it once had and people are paying a lot more attention. The mid 2010’s were full of pop fused with trap. But now I think pop is leaning heavily into R&B which I’m excited about. Artists like Summer Walker, SZA, Kehlani, Victoria Monet are doing incredible right now with R&B music And yea Rihanna and Beyoncé are great examples of pivoting into the pop mainstream market but … Kimberly Nicole Foster (my favorite RU-vidr) once made the argument that Black artists have to solidify a Black fanbase to support them first and then tap into the general population. Like Beyoncé with Dangerously In Love which is a heavily R&B album, she was sticking to her Black audience and then Sasha Fierce is her stepping into real main pop. Usher with his first self titled album and My Way and 1804, those albums for Black folx and people of color. Then he stepped into pop music later on. I don’t think Normani NEEDS to stick to pop but I think if she wants to, she should build her core die hard fans around her signature sound first. So I agree with you but I think her approach is smart.
@@kevinortegarojas yeah, I will grant her the space of being hesitant to release a debut album until it felt right to her... I guess the point I was making is that I don't think that many artists realize how relatively insignificant a debut album is in an artist career. But again, I completely understand why she would be hesitant. When it comes to her deal with RCA, yes, none of us really know the specifics of that deal and so that surely could have had something to do with it. I don't exactly know if I agree with Kimberly's take about Black artist having to solidify a Black audience before they branch off into pop. I see how she could be using Usher and Beyoncé as examples, but the reality is that Usher and Beyoncé came up at a time in America where the type of music they were making (contemporary R&B music) was becoming the "popular sound" and thus perceived as the pop music of the time. We have to remember that hip hop and R&B became so dominant on the Billboard Hot 100 in the early 2000s (with I believe 2004 being a year where only hip hop and R&B songs peaked at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from January to December), That billboard ended up creating a Pop 100 chart because actually "pop" music just could not climb to the top of the charts the way that contemporary R&B and hip hop could. I feel like in that climate where contemporary R&B and hip hop were becoming the popular music of the time, It was relatively easy for acts like Beyoncé and Usher to be seen as popular artists/stars of popular music by the general public (AKA white people who would be looked at as fans of pop music). Like, I don't think they had to wait to go to a white audience as much as I think a white audience was coming to them because they were coming around to contemporary R&B and hip hop. Even when we go back to Beyoncé in her Destiny's Child days, granted, most black recording artist will be known by a black audience a bit more When they first debut compared to being known by a white audience when they first debut, It's hard for us to really argue that a white mainstream so-called pop audience didn't know who Destiny's Child were in the beginning of their career given that they scored a top five single with their debut record and a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with their third single. And if I'm being honest, I think Normani was accomplishing this with the release of a record such as Motivation along with other popular records like Love lies and dancing with the stranger...... and the pop audience were receptive of her. For me, it feels like Normani has an intention to want to be viewed as a "Black artist" and I don't know if that will be beneficial to her. You can definitely make R&B music but still be viewed as a mainstream recording artist during the peak of your career and we see that with the artist who inspired her from Beyoncé to Brandy. When I think about the R&B records that she released thus far....Waves, Fair (which I LOVE) and now even 1:59...... They all kind of... underperform expectations. And I don't really think that's a shock. The R&B space doesn't seem to favor women like her too much. Wildside was not only an undeniable record but I also think we can't understate the possibility of Cardi B's presence on that record helping Normani with a more urban audience. I think for her, when it comes to contemporary R&B, things might go a little better with records that are uptempo but I can't see her being slit in a lineup between the likes of Summer Walker and Ari Lennox... nor do I think fans of an artist like scissor will take to Normani. Even judging by Dopamine, Mani's Music isn't really toxic or desperate enough to captivate an R&B audience that, forgive me, enjoys listening to dysfunction over a nice beat. And in a way for her, I don't think that's bad. I really do envision her as being a black mainstream superstar artist in the way that Beyoncé and Rihanna are. Yes they can make contemporary R&B records but, no, they don't just sit in the same space as their contemporary R&B contemporaries. They sort of exist in their own world of super stardom transcending musical genres because they don't lean so heavily into a particular type of sound........ I think that's the essence that people get with Normani because they see the star quality in her. And that's not to shit on musical acts that are so heavily in their R&B pocket or their pop pocket that they can't become mainstream, but if you look at the music landscape there have always been popular R&B singers and even popular so-called pop singers that just don't become mainstream superstars. I think when people look at Normani they kind of see someone who has the potential of being a mainstream superstar. This is why I'm very disappointed that a record like Motivation just did not make it onto that album.. Not even as a bonus track. It makes me wonder if she wants to fully abandon pop music and I don't know what to think about that.
I Have to disagree with you!!! This album will produce a massive moment for Normani. Why, coz it’s a movement, and the positive vibe about this album is pushing forward. The album is already doing well in the UK and many other parts of the world. Just give it time, it only came out yesterday!!!!! Just wait till the video for Candy paint comes out, followed by live performances then you’re gonna see. It’s gonna be a different story!!! I got high hopes for this project!!!!
I think the project will do well … i don’t think it’ll be album of the year or any of the other insane expectations people set on Normani just for her to fail
i think the main issue with normani is that her fans overestimate how big the artist is. Normani has never been known among the general public except for Fifth Harmony and the Sam Smith collab
The roll out was trash and weak but the album is really good 😊 I hope it does well on the charts. Normani is super talented she will be just fine 😊 ps I was at that Tidal concert and she killed it😊
The criticism of Normanis career is fair. How can anyone trust an artist who hasn’t given us a complete project / idea of who they are. Also doing a few interviews and releasing a 2 year old song isn’t promoting the album. But I do agree that social media and Stan culture has negatively affected how we see artist.
I agree that criticisms are fair, sure. We all have that right. But I don’t think these criticisms will effect the totality of her career. Especially now listening to the album in it’s entirety. This was worth the wait.
I like the song Wild Side and that it's on this album. Motivation was a banger too. People will be shocked that she is goinf into a different direction and is more slowed down and Neo RnB. Cute songs if you like more sensual slowish songs. I think she waited too long and didn't connect with her audience enough., but hopefully we will get some great visuals to make up for list time.
Here’s this issue. Her fans are vile. They blame everyone else for her failures instead of streaming. Instead on consistently going online and trying to destroy people’s careers they need to just support their girl, because it gets tired when it’s not about the music, and it’s more “buy my music because I was bullied online” and it’s like girl.. that’s not a hot take. We all are.
Auto tune can be used as an instrument if used properly. She’s not masking an underdeveloped voice. I love Normani’s voice. She wanted the harmony she was singing to have more of a sharpness to it. I enjoy it.
I find it a bit sad that people can’t see reality. The truth is that Normani is her own saboteur! She does things that no one understands. Her fans put her in a pedestal and even herself of this next big thing and she behaves like that and she doesn’t have nothing to show us. I’ve just listen to her album. 13 songs- insomnia leaked, bit boy leaked candy paint 2 years and wild side 2y. So in more than 2y this is how much she was able to produce? Like I can feel how exhausted has been for her recording this album. I don’t think she has the capacity to produce back to back quality songs like other artists. She missed the mark and is her fault. The fact that she is a poor communicator, the fact that she decides to do a rollout that NO ONE IS DOING not even Beyoncé or ariana grande with much more success than her, no live performance, no videos..this just shows me that she is not in touch with reality. This album will be forgotten like the first album of Chloe!
I think it’s unfair to say that because a song leaked or has been heard that it should be scrapped. It’s still HER creative output and her artistic vision. I think Insomnia made sense on the album. Admittedly I have the leaked version but she changed SOOO much of it. It’s an entirely new song. It’s gorgeous. I was gagged. I think too many of us are comfortable thinking we know what’s best for an artist because they’re a celebrity we have a parasocial relationship with. But at the end of the day, this is a creative person with the freedom to do whatever they want with their art.
Reading that person’s comment just proves your point that Normani is judged harshly compared to others, the reasons they’re trying to give about why they do not support Normani is an illusion
@@kevinortegarojas I can see what you are trying to say but let’s not forget that Normani is part of a label. She is a product and she needs to deliver some numbers. We all part of a company and we need to be productive to stay in the company. I’m not sure how she will manage to stay in her label with poor sales and engagement! I’m very concerned of how she is promoting her first album. It’s a bit weird that she is relying on social media to do the work for her.. reposting celebrities feedback will not count for sales!
Hits are decided by listeners overtime. Lizzo’s Good As Hell became a hit two years after it was released. Camila Cabello’s Havana debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went number one six months later. Music takes time. Chill.
@@kevinortegarojas if you did your own research, you can see that Jennifer Lopez along with Jay Z put on a benefit concert to raise money for Puerto Rico when they got hit with a hurricane. You can also do the research to see that Jennifer Lopez was a shareholder and buying a Latino based network to produce content from a Latino perspective. Jennifer Lopez also has full Spanish albums. And as if an entertainer has to do anything for a group of people to not be shamed for getting on a commercial flight. GTFOH. One minute you’re making fun of her for flying commercial, but you want her to use her resources and money to do what you want her to do. Man, f**k you. 😂
Oh, did she tell you the date that the videos were coming? Did Normani personally lie to you? Take a day off and give yourself a holiday will you, your comment is so silly and irritating 🤦🏾♀️
I don’t think real artists have expiration dates - if we’re talking just about hype? sure. But I don’t think there’s a moment for artists to create art.
@@kevinortegarojas record labels invests hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars on an artist. End of the day this is a business. If Normani does not give the label a hit she can very well be dropped. Sure she makes art but that can be said about everyone. If she continues to flop, the label will let her go. Ally was dropped by Atlantic. Lauren was dropped by Columbia. Dinah was dropped by Hitco. Only one that hasn’t been dropped is Camila due to her success. So yea… art only gets you so far
