It’s frustrating not having heard an album yet, I might completely change my view upon hearing it, but I have so many mixed feelings about this artist who i really want to succeed, for her sake and for rnb’s sake. Maybe the timing isn’t right for that 2000s rnb sounds to make a resurgence? Maybe listeners want less polish and more raw authenticity that’s a bit rougher around the edges? I fear that type of artistry may be just too rehearsed now that it seems dated, out-of-style and try-hard. Nevertheless, Normani seems like she has the potential to bring that energetic rnb music back to the mainstream and that’s pretty exciting. There was a lot more uptempo rnb music back then too, it wasn’t uncommon for rnb songs to bang in the clubs - however, rnb is more of a low-key vibe these days and the singers seem far from exhibitionist, seeming way more introverted than the rnb entertainers 15 years prior. Back in the 2000’s polished, oven-ready, all-singing, all-dancing pop/rnb superstars were the norm, everyone sang their asses off and danced their asses off. She’s channeling a form of performance artistry from the 2000’s decade which so absent in the 2020’s pop landscape (unless you’re including Kpop stars). What I like most about Normani is her showmanship. I heard she funded her music video with her own money and I’ve heard youtubers saying her label doesn’t believe in her. They don’t seem to know whether to market her as a pop star or rnb siren and we could end up in a situation where neither side is fully satisfied (They manage it with khalid tho 👀). I’m also worried that her label will repeat the same mistakes they made with Tinashe and drop the ball. She’s so polished that she comes across a bit ‘stageschool-ish’ and rehearsed, and super eager to impress whereas other rnb girls like Snoh, Jhene, SZA and Summer seem too cool to care.
I want her to succeed more than I actually enjoy the music and I feel like there’s something missing. I’m wondering what rnbheads think about Normani - I am aware she seems to operate at the intersection of Pop and RnB so maybe it’s a discussion for pop heads too? Is Normani on your radar the same way other RnB girls are?
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