The Important Representation Normani Brings To Today’s Music

After topping the charts with “Love Lies” featuring Khalid, Normani kicks off the new year with another smooth feel featuring Sam Smith. “Dancing With A Stranger,” was written back in 2018 when Sam and Normani unexpectedly found themselves in the same studio. The track finds the duo’s smooth and silky vocals over an upbeat Stargate power-production. “I don’t wanna be alone tonight / It’s pretty clear that I’m not over you / I’m still thinking ’bout the things you do / So I don’t wanna be alone tonight, alone tonight, alone tonight,” croons. “Look what you made me do, I’m with somebody new / Ooh, baby, baby, I’m dancing with a stranger / Look what you made me do, I’m with somebody,” Normani responds on the chorus. The music video to the track was released yesterday. In the video, Sam Smith finds himself running into ghosts from his past while Normani delivers some of the sickening choreography that she’s known for.

Normani & Calvin Harris Team Up On “Slow Down”

Thus far the Houston native has three hits on her hands. It’s nice to see her doing so well for herself. She’s very talented and every time I see her, I can’t help but think Black Girl Magic! Currently, there aren’t many women with beautiful chocolate skin topping the charts. Only 2% of the Billboard Hot 100 consists of music from females with dark skin compared to 20% of music from women overall. Colorism and sexism are huge issues in the music industry and explains why talented dark-skinned girls go unnoticed next to their counterparts. Jermaine Dupri acknowledged this in mid-January of 2018 on The Breakfast Club [39:40] stating, “dark-skinned female singers still [are] having a hard time in the music business.” Dupri said, people, don’t “jump across the table immediately when they see a dark skinned girl. In a world of Beyonce, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, where is the beautiful dark skinned women?

New MV: Khalid & Normani – “Love Lies”

According to The Guardian, Kelly Rowland has voiced her support for Normani claiming “she was the only dark-skinned girl she has seen lately”. This is why it’s so nice to see Normani thrive as a solo artist. Every time I see her, I can’t help but think of the representation she brought to Fifth Harmony; a group that my little sisters loved. It’s important that the music industry looks like the world we live in. Misrepresentation can have drastic effects; especially on young minds! Normani’s debut album is due for release later this year! I’m super excited! If you’d like to see a change in music with a little Black Girl Magic, support Normani! Check out “Dancing With A Stranger” below!

Note: The music video was released exclusively on Apple Music.

Normani & Sam Smith – “Dancing With A Stranger”