Normani shook the internet to its core this week with the colossal launch of her ‘Motivation’ music video.
A fireball from start to finish, the visual has racked up over 12 million views in less than two days and has attracted praise from the likes of Cardi B, Missy Elliott, and Ciara.
As the New Orleans native soaked up the love, she’s spoke with The Face about her solo charge since the hiatus of Fifth Harmony, having the support of her idols such as Janet Jackson and Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande being like family.
On ‘Motivation’ Co-Writer & Friend Ariana Grande:
I’d consider Ariana family at this point. I feel like I can trust her, which is nice because it’s hard to make friends in this industry. Sometimes it can get – I don’t wanna say lonely – but a lot of the time I end up having to entertain myself. It’s cool that I’m able to have found a sister in her.
On Her Inspirations & Being Supported By Them:
As a black young woman, being able to do what all of my biggest inspirations have done was really important. Growing up, I had Janet, Toni Braxton, Ashanti and Destiny’s Child to look up to. Kelly [Rowland] being a chocolate goddess, I was really able to see myself in her. I felt really down about a certain situation, and I spoke to her about it recently. She was like ‘Anything you need, pick up the phone’. It meant the world to me.
Starting from the ground up again, I can’t believe I’m in a position to have access to beautiful black women who I can talk and share my experiences with. Trust me, there’s still a lot more to come. There’s levels to it.
On Her Dream Collaboration:
Oh, I’ve worked with some pretty amazing gentleman, but I still want to work with Kendrick Lamar too. We’d create something magical, I know it.
On Meeting Janet Jackson:
There are a lot of women I’d love to follow in the footsteps of. Like, I just went to see Janet at her Vegas residency and it inspired me in such a way. Afterwards, I had a moment to ask all of the questions that I needed to ask, and she told me she was rooting for me.
On Fifth Harmony:
Fifth Harmony was the most beautiful opportunity, and it was one of the most amazing memories I’ve made. Of course, we had our ups and downs but I’m so grateful that I went through that experience to reach the alternative. We reached a point where we could express our individualities. Since then, I’ve been able to find myself in so many different ways. I don’t fully have it all together. Even as a woman, I feel like I’m learning so much about myself.
On The Motivation Video:
I’m gonna be completely transparent with you: I’ve been stressing over the last month, trying to put that together. I’ve actually been really down about it lately because I feel like it’s not my best work [yet]. [Source]
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Having long seen the potential in Ms. Kordei here at TGJ, it’s amazing to see the masses on-board and at the most important time too.
With ‘Motivation,’ she’s delivered an emphatic “I’ve arrived” moment, one which cannot be denied nor ignored.
More broadly, the mass embrace of the track and its visual has us elated at the prospect of what’s to come – from performances, to collaborations, to branding opps. Because, for as well-mapped out as her launch campaign has been, the out-of-the-gate success of the video effectively functions as a major advertorial for what Normani – as a movement – is all about. And we imagine many now want to be apart of what is increasingly looking like the birth of a major new star.
![Chance the Rapper's Wife Officially Files for Divorce After Months of Separation [#ICYMI]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/chance-rapper-divorce-kirsten-conley-bennett-2024-thatgrapejuice-464x260.png "Chance the Rapper's Wife Officially Files for Divorce After Months of Separation [#ICYMI].")
I just want her products to be the reason she pops and not just because she’s a beautiful, black woman that needs to fill a role. I want the music she releases to be of substance and unique to her as an artist. I’ve not gotten that from her yet. I’ve gotten listenable material that isn’t distinct at all.
8.13.19 NEVER FORGET ~ The day FAGmine got exposed for the 100th time as a racist trash ? loser by TGJ. NEVER FORGET Fake JasMAN is a MAN.
TROLLmine I’m not going to sink to your level, because you are jealous of me. Go take your bipolar meds, sis (bro).
8.13.19 NEVER FORGET ~ FAGmine got exposed by TGJ as the racist monster HE truly is. U are a troll always using my username so that gives me the right to issue a verbal lashing on u anytime I want! Suck it TRASH ?. Feast on my sh.it ? and drink my p.iss ?.
We go high when they go low…. because being jealous is something we can’t relate to or allow here at TGJ Journalist Headquarters…. kinda how we don’t allow certain Trolls to work for us #ApplicationDenied
Jealousy is a disease. Get well soon FAGmine! Clearly u are jealous of me and u want to be me. Hence, why u stole my username! Keep seething troll!
8.13.19 ~ The day FAGmine got exposed for the 100th time by TGJ as a racist troll. Princess FAGmine has lost his mind yall. He is raging with jealousy.
https://thatgrapejuice.net/2019/08/mtv-announces-more-2019-vma-performers-lizzo-lil-nas-camila-cabello-more/
Sorry TROLLmine as a 38 year old troll I think it’s time you bowed out gracefully and start visiting websites geared more towards your age bracket.
FAGmine u have lost your mind if u think I am 38. U are 58 if I am 38 and always remember I am in control not u. U don’t tell me what to do b|tch sissy. I tell u what to do!
8.13.19 NEVER FORGET ~ FAGmine got exposed by TGJ as the racist monster HE truly is. U are a troll always using my username so that gives me the right to issue a verbal lashing on u anytime I want! Suck it TRASH ?. Feast on my sh.it ? and drink my p.iss ?.
Go take your bipolar medication Grandma(Grandpa) TROLLmine!!! 38 and mentally unstable
Go to your psych meds u 58 year old FAGmine demon! Yes, I am bipolar so I have a medical excuse for my crazy. You sir have no excuse for your crazy except for the FACT u haven’t been taking ur psych meds for a very long time. Grandpa u are a loser and u are mentally challenged.
I’m sorry that you’re so jealous of me TROLLmine but I can’t help it that I’m popular and gainfully employee as a journalist whilst your #ApplicationDenied
Something is missing. Musically. She reminds me of Tinashe. Talented dancer okay singer but should still be bigger…because there are lots of artists who cant sing technically but still have hits.. I.e Keisha tik tok. Ahe wasnt necessarily the greatest singer but the song was a hit……idk idk i am looking forward to seeing a new wave of artists. I wonder would anyone be interested in a new Toni Braxton type or something.
She doesn’t have a distinct voice. She’s not a powerhouse like Whitney, Celine or Mariah and she doesn’t have a distinct voice like Rihanna, Toni, Janet or Beyoncé. There’s a million beautiful black girls that sound just like Normani.
Janet Jackson nor Paula Abdul were on the women levels that you listed, and im talking vocally speaking. Its about having your own style. You dont have to be a powerhouse. Every song isn’t meant to be belted on. Thatsnlike Whitney houston trying to sing Lauryn Hill’s Ex factor. Smh. Ms Hill was a Sanger, but her style. Whitney Houston felt some type of way the night that Ms Hill won her 5 grammys, and the. First female to get 5 in one night. Not Mariah, not Whitney, nor Celine has done so. Now Beyonce surpassed her with 6 in one night ??? Vocals arent to be the best singer, its to know that no one can sing like you, as in no ond can do me better than me???
Like the poster said; Janet Jackson had a distinct voice! You knew who it was whenever a Janet song played on the radio. Let’s also not forget how classic and legendary her discography is. Put some respek on her name, beloved. I will pray for your delusions of grandeur.
I wouldn’t take any advice from Floplly Rowland. In Jesus name.
@Apostle… – I’ll have to agree with you. hahaha
I’d take any advice from anyone more successful, more financially stable, older and a veteran in the industry I’m in. You’d be silly not to.
8.13.19 NEVER FORGET ~ FAGmine got exposed by TGJ as the racist troll HE truly is.
https://youtu.be/QVHq8wb19jo
FAGMine at work as the 2 dollar t***** hooooker it really is:
https://www.xnxx.com/video-725wf25/ladyboy_jasmine
Sure, take advice from Beyoncé’s lazy shadow. Let’s see how that works out. Where’s June’s Diary?
Kelly has been very successful in a little group called Destiny’s Child, as well as having multi-platinum selling music around the world. She simply ISN’T a flop, because it doesn’t make sense. She has whole solo Grammys…
Beside the Group she had her success. She sold a lot of records as a Solo Artist and yeah a lot of business stuff wasn’t handle well. But it was not her vote it was the team/Management!
Kelly is coming you can say whatever you want but her journey its not over yet!
An apostle that curses, shame
Where did I curse beloved? Is FLOP a curse word? Let me check the scriptures…..
That’s very ignorant.
Kelly has been in this industry since 1997 as a recording artist.
Of course she can give great advice, regardless of her amount of sales.
I’m rooting for normani. Motivation isn’t my favorite song that she’s released but it’s a cute song. She definitely needs to work with her vocal coach to bring out the uniqueness in her voice. I can see her doing some alterna-rnb tracks. But she seems to be leaning more to being a black Ariana minus the vocal ability.
I like her a lot and I want to see her win. She needs a big hit though. To be honest I think she is the perfect match for Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to work with. Their productions offer the soul her voice is lacking.
https://youtu.be/QVHq8wb19jo
FAGmine in action y’all:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YvqvvUQ6AN0&list=PLuNTipHsSftMiknoUBZ5gtsfI6yza8lyv&index=2&t=0s&lact=4&itct=CCcQxjQYACITCOmT75vhjeQCFSO5nAodHTQOiDIKcGxwcF92aWRlb1okVkxQTHVOVGlwSHNTZnRNaWtub1VCWjVndHNmSTZ5emE4bHl2&csn=M_hZXdCKC92w8wSy6q7IBw&has_verified=1
Couldn’t agree with you more, Jazzy. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis would be PERFECT for her.
Checklist is her best song till date apart from her 2 collabs with the two gays (Khalidia and samantha smith)
After all the promo and hype this song will barely scratch the top 10.
she dances too damn hard. she needs to tone is down.
Lololol not khalidia and Samantha
Zero star power….. camila was smart enough to have Havana then she should’ve a song called Jamaica
You’ve lost your mind!! ?? Is it crack?!?
Jesus take the wheel ?
She is slayinggggg
Motivation is an amazing pop song it’s just not fresh in sound. That’s it. Checklist is afrobeats and dance heavy. I think as Americans we’re grabbing a hold to checklist because psychologically the sound is what matches what we see on Normani.. a dark skin singer with amazing dance ability. And that’s called typecasting and or stereotyping. If Ariana dropped Motivation or Dinah from 5th Harmony I would have a different reception. We just need to Jude the music objectively and allow the unique sound you all are hoping for to come naturally. Yes, Beyoncé dropped CraZy in Love but remember her and Amarie both went for that sound, Beyoncé just wore it better.
Let Normani evolve man. And hEr husky tone is very distinctive/ enjoyable. Y’all sleep.
That’s the reason why she will flop and will be forgotten after few years and after maybe 1 or 2 album just like Amerie and many others did before.
If Normani & Beyoncé would do a girl video together that will be Hott!
Normani would be ridiculous next to Beyoncé vocals so yes let’s do it, after that people will stop talking s*** like “Normani is the new Beyoncé” please… just do it and we will end it up quickly.
Normani can sing BUT she doesn’t have anything special in her voice, sorry to break your dreams but this lady is not half the beast everybody likes to think she is. We are a lot to think the same so… stop playing the jealous card, we are not jealous but just honst which is not the case of everyone. 12 millions views and why? Y’all know why, it’s not like anybody would release a song and gain 12 millions views, she was ready to have this because everything has been prepared to make this impact so… just ask Missy Elliott, Kelly Rowland and all the others artists who were in the “plan” don’t think we are dumb enough to not see what’s happening behind the scenes.
i think mani should take some time after the next single to work on a songs focused on her vocals. Yall got her messed up if you dont think her tone is unique or that she cant sing. thats rediculous. say what you want but she’s next. she’s been a star. next case! somebody said checklist was her best song lol thats a lie. Her song ‘Slow Down’ was superior. It was like 3 seperate songs in one, but everyone gravited to the song that was more of a guarenteed banger because it sounded familiar. normani knows whats she’s doing. let the girl live damn. I can see she is her biggest credic. she is very hard on herself and if yall continue to attack instead of impower it will take more time for her to come into her own. Either way she’s going to get there.
empower.
That song is fire too. And note, what’s she’s currently doing is part of the normal process… it’s just that social media has provided an outlet for people to speak on every part of the journey. Before social media the gp had to just wait and grow with the artist. Rihanna literally went through the same thing and for two whole albums at that lol. People are forgetting that. Rihanna was legit forced into the good girl gone bad image out of the Beyoncé comparisons attacking her chance at next level stardom.
The haters will deal.
That’s why she said this is only the beginning..trust me she will even have the haters saying YAAASSSSSS Slay BIIIITTCHHH!
Haters will do what they do best. She knows what she’s doing. The black community is always a critic and never supports anything. Shes appealing to a different demographic because her people are sorry ass haters. She will be big because the non-black community has no problem with her shine. They will support her not sorry ass black folks.
Beyonce Reject
You mean Beyoncé LEVELED UP!
The same trolls in these comments said Camila was a flop for two years straight when her singles didn’t go top 10 lolol y’all are some bandwagon trolls