Cbreezy Posted May 1 Posted May 1 (edited) 17 hours ago, AFullMoonlight said: Please don't insult my intelligence. You want to be realistic? Let's. Motivation was not the mega hit that y'all remember it to be. I'm so sorry for misinterpreting people begging her to release another Motivation and crying about her not liking that song as people wanting another Motivation. Silly of me. Personally, I don't understand the praise for Motivation and the distaste of her more R&B leaning music. Actually that's a lie, but music is subjective and I'll leave that alone. The not so few people crying I'm willing to bet are the same people who didn't like WS when the song first came out. I know people like to forget that it didn't initially sit well with many because the success of songs can make brains go foggy. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I honestly don't like the energy some of y'all have towards fans that aren't as pessimistic as you. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. I apologize in advance if thats the case. What gets me riled up is the faux superiority complex that some users have on this site. Realistically, we know next to nothing about her financial situation with RCA. We do not know what her ROI is and have not the slightest clue of where RCA stands with Normani. All we know regarding the WS video is that she had to come out her own pocket to get the finish product she wanted. We can even infer and guesstimate. Thats about it. I'm not sure why anybody would be oppose to an artist releasing the music that they personally want to release which Normani has expressed is what she wants to do out of her own mouth. I'm not one of those 'fans' or 'stans' here to support an artist for what they could be or how much numbers can produce or what have you. It would be nice if she did see success, but what matters most to me is the music. The album needs to be cohesive, good, and tell us who Normani is an artist. I didn't think I had to explain what I meant by high energy. In that context I was speaking on her personality. Her choreography I would describe as technical, complex, smooth, and effortless. I appreciate your enthusiasm and optimism for Mani and I think we all want her to win. I also appreciate your admission that maybe you may be a touch sensitive about the pessimism / trolling from others in here. But I do think it's vital to separate hate from very fair critique. And I think it's crucial to be objective in our stanning. Blind optimism when the data suggests otherwise helps no one - especially Normani. You make a valid point that we don't know Mani's financial standing at RCA. For all we know, a sponsorship may have covered the entirety of the Wild Side video million dollar budget. Or at least enough for it not to be a loss. However, there are some unavoidable truths that just cannot be bypassed about her operation...in the present. Mani got a #1 NMF placement and general solid push (at least on launch day) across all the DSPs and social. That costs. The song is not doing much of anything. And it's not just because there's no video (though that too, as a visual artist, is not helpful), there just isn't much buzz around the song itself. And while music isn't a meritocracy, it would have greatly helped if the song itself was undeniable. All good will aside, 1:59 does not play like a...hit. Period, point, blank. It just doesn't. I appreciate her jumping on the Candy Paint trend...but week of release... of a totally different single?! Like, objectively, her social strategy is off. Also, once again, the promo feels excessively premium. Harper's Bazaar. Elle. The Cut. All great looks style-wise, but Mani needs to be engaging the BETs, Breakfast Clubs, Hot 97s, you know...the places her audience actually resides. The Beckys on those publications she's striving for are not listening to her music en masse. As someone who has watched the likes of people I stan like Ciara, Kelly Rowland etc make similar mistakes, I've been optimistic that Normani would come along and course-correct a lot of that with her own career. As of now, that's not happening. None of the above is shade, hate, or pessimism. It's objective reflection on the reality of the matter. It doesn't mean it can't get better or that there's not a viral smasha around the corner on the album. But it's simply..the reality. Edited May 2 by Cbreezy 1
Getlikemike Posted May 1 Posted May 1 2 hours ago, Cbreezy said: That's the thing, though. I don't think anyone actually wants Motivation part 2. We want a) better songs. and b) tempo. Which only makes sense given Normani's strongest asset being her performance ability. Few of us would be complaining if she came out swinging with another Wild Side or even a Love Lies, but 1:59 is mid at best. As was Fair. With a trajectory like Mani's, that's unacceptable. I'm a fan, but also have to be realistic. This is a business. Even reading in The Cut interview that the WS video cost a million actually worried me because labels are ruthless. If you're spending a milli and not making a fraction of that back or just breaking even across all of her other activity (in a 360 deal) then issa chop eventually. The math has to math at some point. I get really riled by all of this "she can do what she wants to do" and "let her release what she wants". Those remarks will only prove valid when a) Mani delivers sales that can show her worth to the label and earn her a degree of autonomy or b) she becomes an indie act steering her own career. At which point the fans co-signing her every wrong move can wave goodbye to these big splashy videos and say hello to the Dawn Richard / Tinashe DIY route. Which is nothing to scoff at, but isn't what we want for Mani. In the most simplest terms, the album needs to be full of bops or she's looking at an eventual chop from the label. Normani has already had to fund her own video and proved much more successful than t*nashe thank you. Y'all say anything on this forum. 1 1
stephen1108 Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Candy Paint's second verse is now recognized by Shazam, when it never was before
kayliah Posted May 1 Posted May 1 I dont get it with her. Lots of hype and lots of featurings yet we dont know her and she hasnt made a name for herself. Im so over it. Good luck to her and if it happens for her congrats but its been 7 years and this is what she chose to make a music comeback. I get she had family problems but still 7 years to wait for your debut album as if you are rihanna.
jqnetto Posted May 1 Posted May 1 do we have any idea about the tracklist yet? are we expecting Fair to make it?
AFullMoonlight Posted May 1 Posted May 1 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Cbreezy said: I appreciate your enthusiasm and optimism for Mani and I think we all want her to win. I also appreciate your admission that maybe you may be a touch sensitive about the pessimism / trolling from others in here. But I do think it's vital to separate hate from very fair critique. And I think it's crucial to be objective in our stanning. Blind optimism when the data suggests otherwise helps no one - especially Normani. You make a valid point that we don't know Mani's financial standing at RCA. For all we know, a sponsorship may have covered the entirety of the Wild Side video million dollar budget. Or at least enough for it not to be a loss. However, there are some unavoidable truths that just cannot be bypassed about her operation...in the present. Mani got a #1 NMF placement and general solid push (at least on launch day) across all the DSPs and social. That costs. The song is not doing much of anything. And it's not just because there's no video (though that too, as a visual artist), there just isn't much buzz around the song itself. And while music isn't a meritocracy, it would have greatly helped if the song itself was undeniable. All good will aside, 1:59 does not play like a...hit. Period, point, blank. It just doesn't. I appreciate her jumping on the Candy Paint trend...but week of release... of a totally different single?! Like, objectively, her social strategy is off. Also, once again, the promo feels excessively premium. Harper's Bazaar. Elle. The Cut. All great looks style-wise, but Mani needs to be engaging the BETs, Breakfast Clubs, Hot 97s, you know...the places her audience actually resides. The Beckys on those publications she's striving for are not listening to her music en masse. As someone who has watched the likes of people I stan like Ciara, Kelly Rowland etc make similar mistakes, I've been optimistic that Normani would come along and course-correct a lot of that with her own career. As of now, that's not happening. None of the above is shade, hate, or pessimism. It's objective reflection on the reality of the matter. It doesn't mean it can't get better or that there's not a viral smasha around the corner on the album. But it's simply..the reality. My original post and your rebuttal was not about the success of 1:59 or how well received it may be. I was making a point about how Normani maybe is not the artist that some of you wanted her to be giving the history of her releases. You took that as an opportunity to express your dismay on her music choices and insinuate that she could potentially be dropped from her label. I don't know. That seems like pessimism to me. This just seems like a deflection. Tons of lesser known artist get playlisting, but we are not questioning whether or not they're breaking the banks with their labels. You stated in your previous post that the math isn't mathing. Well perhaps that is because you don't have any numbers to work with. As far as the success of 1:59 goes, we'll see what happens once the song starts taking off on radio. Most fans know that Normani songs are slow burners. Maybe we should give songs more than a week before writing them off? Edited May 1 by AFullMoonlight
AFullMoonlight Posted May 1 Posted May 1 2 minutes ago, jqnetto said: do we have any idea about the tracklist yet? are we expecting Fair to make it? Known tracks: 1:59 ft. Gunna Candy Paint Big Boi Tantrums ft. James Blake 5 1
Cbreezy Posted May 1 Posted May 1 3 minutes ago, Getlikemike said: Normani has already had to fund her own video and proved much more successful than t*nashe thank you. Y'all say anything on this forum. Won't be roped into too much back and forth. Primarily because I think we all want her to win. But this ain't Disneyland or Nintendo. This is real life and real business. I'm not getting what's not computing. You're dialing in on the Tinashe point, when it's not even particularly relevant to the broader point being made. I want Normani to smash, but you speak as if she is sitting on some kind of Fenty fortune and has this endless sum of cash to keep making splashy videos for songs that the public aren't rushing to buy or stream. We are talking about an act that has yet release an album, yet to tour, and isn't an endorsement queen (yet). I imagine she's $$$ comfortable, but her output will largely be funded by her label and any brands featured in her visuals. So, AGAIN, if you are being funded and steered by a financier (aka a major label), trust and believe that they will want a return on investment. What I hope is that case for Mani is that she manages to smash organically or simply has backing similar to Rihanna's early days when it was clear that they didn't mind running her ish at a loss in the name of investing in a talent that will surely deliver a profit down the line (which she did.
nooniebao Posted May 1 Posted May 1 The best thing about the album coming out is that a lot of people will come to terms w/ the type of artist Mani wants to be lolol. Then maybe with an album out, expectations will be more realistic for future commercial success. 1
Cbreezy Posted May 1 Posted May 1 5 minutes ago, AFullMoonlight said: My original post and your rebuttal was not about the success of 1:59 or how well received it may be. I was making a point about how Normani maybe is not the artist that some of you wanted her to be giving the history of her releases. You took that as an opportunity to express your dismay on her music choices and insinuate that she could potentially be dropped from her label. I don't know. That seems like pessimism to me. This just seems like a deflection. Tons of lesser known artist get playlisting, but we are not questioning whether or not they're breaking the banks with their labels. You stated in your previous post that the math isn't mathing. Well perhaps that is because you don't have any numbers to work with. As far as the success of 1:59 goes, we'll see what happens once the song starts taking off on radio. Most fans know that Normani songs are slow burners. Maybe we should give songs more than week before writing them off? Gracefully bowing out of the back and forth. Hoping our girl defies the odds. But, in the event the numbers aren't giving or the girls don't use anymore sleepy 1:59-like songs on the album, please please please keep the same energy. At that point, it won't be an RCA, S10, Keep Cool, or anyone else issue.
remming Posted May 1 Posted May 1 Normani calls members of her team, Gunna and Ciara and pranks calls them. It's pretty funny and cute. Loving the press so far for the album! 2 2
MatiRod Posted May 2 Posted May 2 I really hope "Wild Side" and "Fair" are on the album, they're too good to not be on a project. And they fit in with "1:59". 3
Theluckyone Posted May 2 Posted May 2 Pleasantly surprised that this album is really happening. 1:59 is a snooze and not the way to re-push for an album cycle though. Hope she has something better waiting in store.
concubine Posted May 2 Posted May 2 (edited) 11 hours ago, Cbreezy said: I think we all want her to win. Nah, some of us are watching only for her downfall, I definitely don't want her to win and I don't think she will. I think a lot of people will agree: everything has been a mess with her and she thinks of herself way too highly, which is why she's become the laughingstock of the music industry and pop fandoms. She even referred to Wild Side as a "culture reset".. and with everything going on, the first week sales of this new album (if it ever even comes out) are going to be a kii for everyone involved. She's going to be humbled so badly. From the perspective of an outsider. Can someone please explain her appeal to me? I honestly reading this thread and don't understand how/why she has this hype for her, it seems undeserved as someone who is only familiar with her Fifth harmony songs and Motivation and Wild Side and Fair... none of those songs are exciting to me at all Edited May 2 by concubine 6
Asparagus Spears Posted May 2 Posted May 2 It's been 3 years since wild side. I'd rather another song take that place.
slimfem Posted May 2 Posted May 2 I hope she has songs like Touch Myself on the album, my favorite leak and song of hers. Or maybe even songs like DUI. 1:59 is not it tho unfortunately
Cbreezy Posted May 2 Posted May 2 3 hours ago, concubine said: Nah, some of us are watching only for her downfall, I definitely don't want her to win and I don't think she will. I think a lot of people will agree: everything has been a mess with her and she thinks of herself way too highly, which is why she's become the laughingstock of the music industry and pop fandoms. She even referred to Wild Side as a "culture reset".. and with everything going on, the first week sales of this new album (if it ever even comes out) are going to be a kii for everyone involved. She's going to be humbled so badly. From the perspective of an outsider. Can someone please explain her appeal to me? I honestly reading this thread and don't understand how/why she has this hype for her, it seems undeserved as someone who is only familiar with her Fifth harmony songs and Motivation and Wild Side and Fair... none of those songs are exciting to me at all Yeah, not only is that kinda dark (watching someone's "downfall" as a "kii"), it's also weird as hell and bizarre use of your time IMO. I've always understood indifference (and that's what not caring about someone should present as IMO. But **invested hate** is…weird af). As a realistic fan of Mani, I'm rooting for her but also have the objectivity enough to critique where needed. So, I too agree that she should dial down the "perfectionist" talk and "cultural reset" declarations. But for reasons different to you, though. Watching her output, it's **clear** she is exceptionally dedicated to her craft and is factually one of the best performers of her generation. However, in this day and age, she will be way better off letting the work do the talking (the quality will speak for itself) and prioritize relatability than constantly **telling** the audience how much of a perfectionist she is. Especially as, in the absence of established success, there will be people like you who twist something fairly innocent into something negative. IMO, that whole "hard working perfectionist" as a personality trait belongs to a time of past (e.g an early solo Beyonce on the promo run) and Mani appears to be overly anchoring her articulations in that (it's pretty much every interview). When in reality, today's TikTok and social media climate should have her angling for relatability and fan connection most while still killing it as the perfectionist performer she is. That combo will yield her the following she wants. All my critique aside, a lot what you wrote is why I sometimes struggle with "stan culture". Admitting you've not heard or seen much from Normani, you write as someone who is hating for "fun". You write as someone with mob mentality. "Everyone is dragging her and then so must I". I will never ever get the mass appetite to drag talented artists (beyond the scope of fair critique) only to then moan that there are "no talented artists out anymore". Make it make sense. Career missteps/mistakes are one thing, but hating on an artist with glee as if they are a Weinstein is objectively wild/bizarre to me.
concubine Posted May 2 Posted May 2 1 hour ago, Cbreezy said: Yeah, not only is that kinda dark (watching someone's "downfall" as a "kii"), it's also weird as hell and bizarre use of your time IMO. I've always understood indifference (and that's what not caring about someone should present as IMO. But **invested hate** is…weird af). As a realistic fan of Mani, I'm rooting for her but also have the objectivity enough to critique where needed. So, I too agree that she should dial down the "perfectionist" talk and "cultural reset" declarations. But for reasons different to you, though. Watching her output, it's **clear** she is exceptionally dedicated to her craft and is factually one of the best performers of her generation. However, in this day and age, she will be way better off letting the work do the talking (the quality will speak for itself) and prioritize relatability than constantly **telling** the audience how much of a perfectionist she is. Especially as, in the absence of established success, there will be people like you who twist something fairly innocent into something negative. IMO, that whole "hard working perfectionist" as a personality trait belongs to a time of past (e.g an early solo Beyonce on the promo run) and Mani appears to be overly anchoring her articulations in that (it's pretty much every interview). When in reality, today's TikTok and social media climate should have her angling for relatability and fan connection most while still killing it as the perfectionist performer she is. That combo will yield her the following she wants. All my critique aside, a lot what you wrote is why I sometimes struggle with "stan culture". Admitting you've not heard or seen much from Normani, you write as someone who is hating for "fun". You write as someone with mob mentality. "Everyone is dragging her and then so must I". I will never ever get the mass appetite to drag talented artists (beyond the scope of fair critique) only to then moan that there are "no talented artists out anymore". Make it make sense. Career missteps/mistakes are one thing, but hating on an artist with glee as if they are a Weinstein is objectively wild/bizarre to me. I do need to reevaluate my behavior, it is strange and unacceptable and your post helped me to see this, the internet is making stans too comfortable being psychopaths online. I will stream 1:59 and support Normani from now on, but I will still criticize her when nessesary. 1
concubine Posted May 3 Posted May 3 23 hours ago, concubine said: I do need to reevaluate my behavior, it is strange and unacceptable and your post helped me to see this, the internet is making stans too comfortable being psychopaths online. I will stream 1:59 and support Normani from now on, but I will still criticize her when nessesary. Ok, I tried being nice and supporting Normani. But only to get downvoted. So no more Mr. Nice Guy. I will NEVER take my foot off her neck ever again, mark my ******* words. 1
Sad Beautiful Tragic Posted May 3 Posted May 3 Just now, concubine said: Ok, I tried being nice and supporting Normani. But only to get downvoted. So no more Mr. Nice Guy. I will NEVER take my foot off her neck ever again, mark my ******* words. This is honestly scary 1
Garbaj Posted May 3 Posted May 3 candy paint pre-save !!! has surfaced!!! https://forms.sonymusicfans.com/campaign/normani-candypaint-pre-save/
aleksanderbgu Posted May 4 Posted May 4 On 5/1/2024 at 5:39 PM, remming said: Normani calls members of her team, Gunna and Ciara and pranks calls them. It's pretty funny and cute. Loving the press so far for the album! this video is so much fun
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