Normani shows she's that bitch with all the "Motivation"

Before that Camila girl left. Before Fourth Harmony disbanded. I was waiting on Normani Kordei Hamilton to go solo. Despite being considered 'the underdog' in the group, whatever that meant and to whom. Because I didn't see it. It was as clear as day that she was going to have a career beyond the group whether Fifth to Fourth Harmony decided to pull a Destiny's Child and have the girls do solo projects whilst the group is together or not. And after collaborations with Kalid, Calvin Harris and Samara Smith, Normani FINALLY has a song and video out that's just her and she did not disappoint.

"Motivation" is nothing new under the sun. But what it does, it does well. The song was co-written by Ariana Grande and the team who have essentially become her music making squad Savan Koetcha, Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh (who also produced the song) and by knowing that you can immediately hear it and imagine her on it. But it's still very much Normani's song. And even if you do think Ariana woulda done it better, she would not have hit it in this video the way Normani. Did. Chile. I'm just-

As per the song, it's nothing groundbreaking or wholly new, but Normani just showing out as a black girl and giving us late 90s / early 00s is kinda everything. There were some nice nods to music videos and artists from these periods too. Normani's walking intro being reminiscent of Beyoncé's "Crazy in love". The outdoor Basketball court setup looking like Britney's "...Baby one more time". And then there's TLC, Ciara and Aaliyah vibes which run through the whole thing too. It shows great confidence, because not just any chick can carry these types of videos where your performance is what has to sell it. Which is what made me realise it's been a very long minute since we had a girl like Normani in the game who can hold a tune, dance her absolute ass off and really light up on screen.

I also had no idea that Normani could move quite like that. She fucking killed that choreo. Clubs gon' need to do something about their insurance policies, 'cos black gays 'bout to catch injuries trying this in clubs...

Hopefully we'll get a remix featuring a guest rapper at some point, because it's the one thing I felt the song needed. But I completely get there wasn't one and think it was the right call to make. Given the throwback vibe and the timing of Missy about to be the recipient of MTV's Video Vanguard award, having her hop on a remix would be killer and be a great bridging of gaps between eras in music. Then there's Normani's video also being directed by Dave Meyers who has directed all of Missy's music videos from "Get ur freak on" onward. Meg Thee Stallion also be a great choice, as she and Normani would have looked great together and there's the Houston, Texas connection that they both share.

Normani. I'm ready for that album boo.

Camila WHO!?