Sigh at the nothingness of this year. This is probably the first year from top to bottom that literally nothing at all has happened. Zero musical activity. 

 

To think Motivation dropped when Mani was like 23 and now she's approaching 30. It's not even so much the industry's annoying ageism (which I don't think will be an issue for her per se), it's the fact that artists are only considered "new" and "buzzworthy" for a brief spell of time.

 

Product lifecycles are fickle in music and Normani has essentially been "buffering" for five years. And much as I hate to say it, there are now a bunch of girls vying for the "next up" market share Normani initially had to herself. Chloe, Coco Jones, and Tyla (who is probably the biggest threat the "lane" Mani was going for in that she is also younger, has a big label push, and an organic viral hit with Water. The **exact** type of song our girl should have been dropping instead of...Fair).

 

That said...

 

The management shift is encouraging and feels like she finally woke tf up. Because even if Brandon wasn't **the** literal problem, having a manager go to war for you as if their life depended on it is the very thing that will get her out of whatever predicament she's in. 

 

Wondering aloud whether she's trying to get off RCA and start afresh. It would make sense to approach her return from an "all new everything" standpoint.

 

Total conjecture (and probably jumping the gun), but I can see it probably being contractually easier for her to make a lateral shift to another Sony label as it's the same corporate family. So, maybe Columbia (if they don't consider Chloe too much of direct competition) or hell even Epic (**shudders in 5H**) if her new team can contractually obligate them to release an album within a year of signing. Then again, just realized that Epic has Tyla...so that's that lol.

 

IMO, for as quiet as things are atm, the next few months are vital and they need to be doing **ALL THE THINGS** behind the scenes to get her engine going again. Because If she doesn't drop something by Q1 of 2024 or at the very least by the halfway point of 2024, it's a wrap-wrap. Granted anything can happen, it'll be next to impossible to create authentic buzz around a product (Mani herself) that by that point will have had a degree of awareness for six years. Not to mention the "she never releases music" narrative that has trailed for her equally as long.

 

It really is sink or swim now.

6 hours ago, Cbreezy said:

Sigh at the nothingness of this year. This is probably the first year from top to bottom that literally nothing at all has happened. Zero musical activity. 

 

To think Motivation dropped when Mani was like 23 and now she's approaching 30. It's not even so much the industry's annoying ageism (which I don't think will be an issue for her per se), it's the fact that artists are only considered "new" and "buzzworthy" for a brief spell of time.

 

Product lifecycles are fickle in music and Normani has essentially been "buffering" for five years. And much as I hate to say it, there are now a bunch of girls vying for the "next up" market share Normani initially had to herself. Chloe, Coco Jones, and Tyla (who is probably the biggest threat the "lane" Mani was going for in that she is also younger, has a big label push, and an organic viral hit with Water. The **exact** type of song our girl should have been dropping instead of...Fair).

 

That said...

 

The management shift is encouraging and feels like she finally woke tf up. Because even if Brandon wasn't **the** literal problem, having a manager go to war for you as if their life depended on it is the very thing that will get her out of whatever predicament she's in. 

 

Wondering aloud whether she's trying to get off RCA and start afresh. It would make sense to approach her return from an "all new everything" standpoint.

 

Total conjecture (and probably jumping the gun), but I can see it probably being contractually easier for her to make a lateral shift to another Sony label as it's the same corporate family. So, maybe Columbia (if they don't consider Chloe too much of direct competition) or hell even Epic (**shudders in 5H**) if her new team can contractually obligate them to release an album within a year of signing. Then again, just realized that Epic has Tyla...so that's that lol.

 

IMO, for as quiet as things are atm, the next few months are vital and they need to be doing **ALL THE THINGS** behind the scenes to get her engine going again. Because If she doesn't drop something by Q1 of 2024 or at the very least by the halfway point of 2024, it's a wrap-wrap. Granted anything can happen, it'll be next to impossible to create authentic buzz around a product (Mani herself) that by that point will have had a degree of awareness for six years. Not to mention the "she never releases music" narrative that has trailed for her equally as long.

 

It really is sink or swim now.

I personally agree with this but I think we are missing a key component to Normani’s success. She to me has always been more of a performer/dancer than vocalist. However, her talent lies in having a good ear for what works for her voice. I think the reason why people are craving Normani’s music than anything else is nobody truly gets the urban pop aesthetic/sound quite like she does. All the people you named with the  exception of Tyla are catering to straight R&B crowds with Tyla being more Afropop than anything else. I don’t think any one of them can “take” anything from Normani other than the casual listeners who would’ve been waiting for her music. Tyla to me is very similar to Normani sound/tone wise. However, Normani has a slight rasp/slow timbre that gives her an edge in sounding more unique. I think Tyla is beautiful but something is telling me that Water will be her signature song and that Epic will do her the same way they did Camila/5h and have her run the sound into the ground trying to get another hit. I may be wrong though. 

Edited October 29, 20232 yr by justifymythreads

Have they ever showed her on TV in the stands for her man’s games like Taylor? Are they even still together?

 

If not, maybe she can serve up a football themed video a la Tate McRae’s Greedy for the next single. Which I’m thinking will come Q1 2024 at the earliest.

 

Also I’m glad she isn’t running around town throwing water on herself like y’all are begging her to 

 

She better at least give us a good Halloween look this year

7 hours ago, justifymythreads said:

I personally agree with this but I think we are missing a key component to Normani’s success. She to me has always been more of a performer/dancer than vocalist. However, her talent lies in having a good ear for what works for her voice. I think the reason why people are craving Normani’s music than anything else is nobody truly gets the urban pop aesthetic/sound quite like she does. All the people you named with the  exception of Tyla are catering to straight R&B crowds with Tyla being more Afropop than anything else. I don’t think any one of them can “take” anything from Normani other than the casual listeners who would’ve been waiting for her music. Tyla to me is very similar to Normani sound/tone wise. However, Normani has a slight rasp/slow timbre that gives her an edge in sounding more unique. I think Tyla is beautiful but something is telling me that Water will be her signature song and that Epic will do her the same way they did Camila/5h and have her run the sound into the ground trying to get another hit. I may be wrong though. 

There's a lot of technical truth to this, but it's equally one of those instances where being too much of a fan overrides the reality of our girl's predicament. As of right now, Normani does not have an "edge" over anyone. And especially not on the merit of her voice.

 

Tyla may blow, she may be done once the "Water" is dry. But one area she is for sure excelling in that ought to be of concern for Normani competitively speaking is that she's getting a lot of props for both dancing AND singing. The latter being something Normani is unlikely to ever get, regardless of her "tone". Her voice just isn't her selling point and her performances have historically been few and far between. Bad management may be one reason, but I really get the sense that she holds off smaller performances because they won't afford her the scale of stage "razzle and dazzle" in the way she can at the VMAs and BBMAs. Holding out for the big stuff or being unequipped to deliver on smaller, more stripped-back platforms puts her at an immediate disadvantage. Note how the Tyla's, Coco Jones' and co do everything. Award shows and TV, as well as festivals, acoustic performances etc. 

 

7 hours ago, orange22 said:

Also I’m glad she isn’t running around town throwing water on herself like y’all are begging her to 

 

I don't get this. So, it's better that she run around town doing...nothing?

 

I really think it's time for us all to take off our stan goggles and legit look at her situation objectively. It's really not good.

 

The likes of Tyla and her Water moment are exactly what would/could be in reach for Normani. Dancing is her strongest asset and yet she puts out songs like... Fair.

 

I'd be less mocking of the new girls and moreso hoping that Mani's new team are taking notes.

38 minutes ago, Cbreezy said:

There's a lot of technical truth to this, but it's equally one of those instances where being too much of a fan overrides the reality of our girl's predicament. As of right now, Normani does not have an "edge" over anyone. And especially not on the merit of her voice.

 

Tyla may blow, she may be done once the "Water" is dry. But one area she is for sure excelling in that ought to be of concern for Normani competitively speaking is that she's getting a lot of props for both dancing AND singing. The latter being something Normani is unlikely to ever get, regardless of her "tone". Her voice just isn't her selling point and her performances have historically been few and far between. Bad management may be one reason, but I really get the sense that she holds off smaller performances because they won't afford her the scale of stage "razzle and dazzle" in the way she can at the VMAs and BBMAs. Holding out for the big stuff or being unequipped to deliver on smaller, more stripped-back platforms puts her at an immediate disadvantage. Note how the Tyla's, Coco Jones' and co do everything. Award shows and TV, as well as festivals, acoustic performances etc. 

 

I don't get this. So, it's better that she run around town doing...nothing?

 

I really think it's time for us all to take off our stan goggles and legit look at her situation objectively. It's really not good.

 

The likes of Tyla and her Water moment are exactly what would/could be in reach for Normani. Dancing is her strongest asset and yet she puts out songs like... Fair.

 

I'd be less mocking of the new girls and moreso hoping that Mani's new team are taking notes.

Now; I was with you and until you said this. I’ve heard people say Tyla was stable but her voice is nothing special. I think what people mention is her looks more than anything else. I’m a Normani fan but I’m more realistic than most. When I say something it’s not based in emotion; it’s  moreso based in what has happened in the past. Once every 2-3 months a mixed/black/ethnic act comes around Normani will get brought up as this some kind benchmark to what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve happened if she had released her album. Meanwhile these same acts will get a hit and then they keep releasing music and it’s radio silence. Same thing is happening with Tems. Everybody loved her when she came out with Essence and was featured on Wait for you. The latter getting her a number 1 and a Grammy but fast forward to now her music is barely charting on Apple (idk about Spotify as I don’t have an account.) Then it was Chloe who had a breakout moment with Have Mercy which literally was inspired by Normani’s Motivation cover. Then everyone was ranting about how she was the next Beyoncé and she was such a performer; then every single after that became less and less successful. Only to be followed up with a debut album with dismal sales and no staying power. Then we have Coco Jones who to me has the best music out of all the girls you mentioned but to me isn’t a performer and whose audience is mainly R&B and is rather limited compared to the other 2 mentioned. You know what they all have in common? They were compared to Normani but none of them have done what Normani has with the few performances she’s given and songs she has released. Now Water is a catchy Afropop/amapiano banger but how long is that sound going to stick before the casual listeners get tired of it? Say what you want about Normani’s music it has aged better than most of the people you’ve named aside from Tyla who hasn’t released that much commercially. I’d say that Tyla is definitely one of the few new artists who really has the star potential but it’s not because of singing/dancing it’s because she’s exotic and is easy on the eyes. That’s why people like her and the catchy music is a plus nothing more, nothing less. 

Edited October 30, 20232 yr by justifymythreads

On 10/29/2023 at 1:48 PM, orange22 said:

Have they ever showed her on TV in the stands for her man’s games like Taylor? Are they even still together?

 

If not, maybe she can serve up a football themed video a la Tate McRae’s Greedy for the next single. Which I’m thinking will come Q1 2024 at the earliest.

 

Fans suspect they aren’t together anymore 

WHAT ARE WE PROMOTING?

On 10/29/2023 at 10:24 PM, justifymythreads said:

Now; I was with you and until you said this. I’ve heard people say Tyla was stable but her voice is nothing special. I think what people mention is her looks more than anything else. I’m a Normani fan but I’m more realistic than most. When I say something it’s not based in emotion; it’s  moreso based in what has happened in the past. Once every 2-3 months a mixed/black/ethnic act comes around Normani will get brought up as this some kind benchmark to what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve happened if she had released her album. Meanwhile these same acts will get a hit and then they keep releasing music and it’s radio silence. Same thing is happening with Tems. Everybody loved her when she came out with Essence and was featured on Wait for you. The latter getting her a number 1 and a Grammy but fast forward to now her music is barely charting on Apple (idk about Spotify as I don’t have an account.) Then it was Chloe who had a breakout moment with Have Mercy which literally was inspired by Normani’s Motivation cover. Then everyone was ranting about how she was the next Beyoncé and she was such a performer; then every single after that became less and less successful. Only to be followed up with a debut album with dismal sales and no staying power. Then we have Coco Jones who to me has the best music out of all the girls you mentioned but to me isn’t a performer and whose audience is mainly R&B and is rather limited compared to the other 2 mentioned. You know what they all have in common? They were compared to Normani but none of them have done what Normani has with the few performances she’s given and songs she has released. Now Water is a catchy Afropop/amapiano banger but how long is that sound going to stick before the casual listeners get tired of it? Say what you want about Normani’s music it has aged better than most of the people you’ve named aside from Tyla who hasn’t released that much commercially. I’d say that Tyla is definitely one of the few new artists who really has the star potential but it’s not because of singing/dancing it’s because she’s exotic and is easy on the eyes. That’s why people like her and the catchy music is a plus nothing more, nothing less. 

 

Actually I agree with the previous poster who said that Tyla has a similar tone to Normani but that her voice is more stable live. Chloe's voice is too operatic (if that is a word) and Coco's song choices are boring. A lot of people took notice to Tyla's Fallon performance b/c of Tyla's voice and showmanship. Basically everything was done pat. Tyla is a threat if she successfully moves to more pop/R&B sounds on the album she is about to release. It really is a shame, Normani's voice and song style was the one thing I was continuing to hold on for but if Tyla delivers.... welp. 

2 hours ago, tachiwaka said:

WHAT ARE WE PROMOTING?

 

 

I think it was suppose to come out but it got scrapped and Bose decided to continue with their campaign. 

28 minutes ago, remming said:

 

 

I think it was suppose to come out but it got scrapped and Bose decided to continue with their campaign. 

IDK. Something is telling me that Bose funded the MV but for whatever reason she either doesn’t want to release the MV or RCA isn’t letting her release it. Remember, @WheresJay RCA wanted her to release Touch as a single but she wanted CP instead. I think RCA doesn’t want her to release it. It would also make sense as to why she hasn’t been posting lately. She’s most likely at the mercy of RCA right now and doesn’t want the fans (the ones that’s left) to see her stressed. 

Edited November 1, 20232 yr by justifymythreads

3 hours ago, tachiwaka said:

WHAT ARE WE PROMOTING?

All this for this Christina Milian x HSM 2 type beat

I stand by my theory that you can only hear the song on the Bose headphones 

 

 

And does anyone know where I can find the limited edition Normani earbuds? They’re sold out everywhere 

On 10/25/2023 at 8:29 PM, popularmoonlight said:

It’s been it for a long time sis 

 

On 10/26/2023 at 1:11 PM, wildsidenormani said:

 

it's over babes it's time for us to move on and for atrl to shut this thread i fear

OMG? It cannot be that bad? Maybe she pops out 2024. This is it because now Normani officially has competition on all angles. Chloe, Tyla, Halle, Coco, Victoria, Tinashe, Kehlani, and more all swooping in at once. It’s scary times, I remember when Motivation came out and there was legit nobody in Normani’s lane remotely. Barely any decent new performers not named Lizzo or Lil Nas X. 
 

Now it’s crazy. Even Megan thee Stallion eating 8-counts. Like we’ve lost the plot. Candy Paint doesn’t even sound as good anymore, I want something fresh. Normani still has a good chance since she has good industry connections but damn…do something! 
 

Spoiler

(And yes I agree with the side convo that Tyla has a softer voice like Normani but WAAAYYY more confidence in using it and bops for days already. She’s a massive threat to the industry if her album has big radio hits like Water ready to go. She’s filling the early Rihanna gap, we haven’t seen an artist like this in forever. Normani needs to get back in the game before she has no role left. There’s still a gap for the new gen of Bey’s, Rih’s, and Ciara’s)

 

Edited November 2, 20232 yr by Flare

18 hours ago, justifymythreads said:

IDK. Something is telling me that Bose funded the MV but for whatever reason she either doesn’t want to release the MV or RCA isn’t letting her release it. Remember, @WheresJay RCA wanted her to release Touch as a single but she wanted CP instead. I think RCA doesn’t want her to release it. It would also make sense as to why she hasn’t been posting lately. She’s most likely at the mercy of RCA right now and doesn’t want the fans (the ones that’s left) to see her stressed. 

So we are saying the same thing . They could have funded the video which doesn't matter to me if they did, RCA or Normani decided to scrap it but Bose continued their campaign for the song. It's also the 4th quarter and the holiday freeze is about to hit. Radios will be playing a lot of Christmas music. It's smarter to wait until next year at this point so I don't blamce RCA if they wanted to wait. I don't even care if it's Candy Paint or another single. 

Remember how she nibbled this 

 

The secondhand embarrassment I’m starting to feel…do RCA or Normani not care what’s happening? Why all these constant delays, it’s only detrimental to her career.

1 hour ago, Crank_It_Up said:

The secondhand embarrassment I’m starting to feel…do RCA or Normani not care what’s happening? Why all these constant delays, it’s only detrimental to her career.

I think Normani actually wanted to release but I think it may have something to do with the change of management. Also, we just got out of a writer strike do most shows were off air during that time meaning nowhere to promote. I think that Normani and her teams inability to create an actual schedule and plan for promotion has caught up to her again. If so was her I would release CP with a slow song that we haven’t heard yet so that way we have one song that could impact Pop rhythmic and AC  radio. Like we literally wasted 2 years of promoting dropping and now she doesn’t even seem concerned. She should be more concerned about what her fans are thinking. She should relay the message that there is music is coming and that there was a delay. Something!

6 hours ago, orange22 said:

Remember how she nibbled this 

 

Not you resorting to reliving the "glory" days.

I personally don't think Candy Paint is ever coming. She "sold" the song to BOSE to create the campaign around it and the fans hype of wanting something to come out but knew it wasn't coming. It's a shame tbh because the way her new management dealt with Troye's new album campaign was pretty good. 

 

Thinking about this serve 

 

 

 

I can’t think about it too much or I get upset 

 

6 minutes ago, Post Malone said:

 

Thinking about this serve 

Featuremani we miss you 

Almost 2024 and no album, Candy or Paint