Normani has quickly become a big name in music1. She was part of Fifth Harmony before going solo. Her debut single “Love Lies” became a huge hit, earning her a platinum certification five times over1. She also won an MTV Video Music Award for “Waves.”1
As a solo artist, Normani has worked with stars like Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj1. This has made her a rising star in pop culture1.
Normani Kordei Hamilton was born on May 31, 19961. She started her career on “The X Factor USA” in 20122. With Fifth Harmony, she sang and danced her way to success with hits like “Work from Home” and “Worth It.”2
Now, Normani is focusing on her solo career. She has collaborated with many artists, reaching the top ten in 22 countries. Her work even earned her a Song of the Year nomination at the Brit Awards 20201.
Early Life and Beginnings
Normani Kordei Hamilton was born on May 31, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia3. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, she and her family moved to Pearland, Texas3. She showed a strong passion for dance, gymnastics, and beauty pageants from age three3.
Born in Atlanta, Raised in New Orleans
Normani started singing at 133. She and her mom traveled between Houston and Los Angeles for auditions. This helped her improve her skills and chase her dreams3.
Her music is inspired by R&B stars like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, and Mariah3.
Passion for Dance and Pageants from a Young Age
Normani’s early years in dance, gymnastics, and beauty pageants set her up for music stardom3. Her hard work and dedication during these years made her the versatile artist she is today3.
“I started competing in dance, gymnastics, and beauty pageants when I was three years old. It’s something that’s always been a part of my life.”
— Normani3
normani and Fifth Harmony’s Journey
Normani auditioned for The X Factor USA in 20124. She was cut in the second round but got a second chance. She joined a group called Fifth Harmony and they made it to the finale, finishing third4.
When Camila Cabello left in 2016, Fifth Harmony became a quartet. Normani took on a leadership role. They released a self-titled album in 20175. Hits like “Work from Home” and “Worth It” made them famous4.
“Work from Home” and “Worth It” were our biggest hits. They made Fifth Harmony known worldwide. It showed what we could do as a group.”
Being in Fifth Harmony helped Normani grow as an artist. She connected deeply with her fans45.
Embarking on a Solo Career
After Fifth Harmony went on an indefinite hiatus in 2018, Normani started her6 solo career. She left the group to explore her own musical path. Her single, “Love Lies” with Khalid, was a hit that year. It reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for 28 weeks6.
“Love Lies” was a big success, becoming the highest debut for a girl group member in the US. It started at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 1006. The song also hit number 1 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. It even tied a record for the longest-charting song on that chart6.
“Normani Kordei is a 26-year-old multi-platinum chart-topping artist.”7
Starting her solo career, Normani faced double binds. These are conflicting expectations on how she should look and act, as shown in a TRESemmé® study7. But she found her confidence after leaving Fifth Harmony. She thanks her parents, especially her father, for boosting her self-assurance7.
Normani’s solo journey has included working with artists like Sam Smith, Khalid, and Megan Thee Stallion. This shows her range and talent6. She’s also fighting for inclusivity and representation in fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Normani’s story is a beacon of hope, faith, and love76.
Rising Star with Hit Collaborations
Normani became a solo star by teaming up with famous musicians8. In 2018, she hit the charts with “Love Lies,” a song with Khalid8. Then, in 2019, she released “Dancing With A Stranger” with Sam Smith, making her a big name8.
“Dancing with a Stranger” with Sam Smith
“Dancing with a Stranger” was a big hit for Normani9. It topped the charts in 22 countries and was nominated for a Brit Award10. This showed Normani’s skill in making songs that people love10.
Partnerships with Calvin Harris and Ariana Grande
Normani didn’t stop there. She worked with Calvin Harris in 2018, releasing Normani x Calvin Harris9. She also teamed up with Ariana Grande on “Motivation” in 20198. These partnerships made Normani a rising star, showing her talent in different music styles8.
“Normani has proven herself to be a dynamic and versatile artist, delivering chart-topping collaborations that showcase her unique blend of pop and R&B.” – Music Critic10,
Debut Album Dopamine and Acting Debut
In 2024, Normani released her debut album, Dopamine. It was led by the hit single “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B11. The album showed Normani’s range and got great reviews12. She also made her film debut in Freaky Tales, showing her talent beyond music.
Normani’s Dopamine is her first full album since Fifth Harmony broke up in 201812. It blends R&B, pop, and rock. The album talks about her journey with fame, personal battles, and deep feelings12. Songs like “Still” and “All Yours” share messages of strength and being true to oneself12. Her work with Ty Dolla $ign and James Blake highlights her versatility.
The album cover shows Normani on a rocket in a swimsuit, looking out into the distance11. She says the album is about her growth and experiences lately11. Her song with Sam Smith, “Dancing with a Stranger,” has almost 1.3 billion streams on Spotify11.
“Being a brown-skinned woman and experiencing colorism had an impact on my confidence, especially as the only Black girl in Fifth Harmony.” – Normani
Achievements and Accolades
Normani’s rise to fame is filled with achievements and accolades. Her song “Love Lies” with Khalid made former U.S. President Barack Obama’s favorite songs list in 2019. Normani was named the Top Female Breakout Artist of 2018 by Spotify. She also became the fastest solo artist to get over one billion streams on Spotify13.
Normani’s skills were recognized by The Guardian in 2019. They ranked her among the 25 greatest female pop-group performers of all time14.
Normani has won many awards and received recognition. She has 8 BMI Awards, 2 iHeartRadio Titanium Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, a Soul Train Music Award, and a Teen Choice Award14. In 2021, she won the Best Dance Performance award at the Soul Train Music Awards14.
She was also nominated for Best R&B Video at the 2020 and 2022 MTV Video Music Awards14. Normani won the 2019 MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B for “Waves.”14
Normani’s achievements go beyond music awards. In 2022, she won a Gold award at The One Show Awards14. In 2021, she won the Variety’s Hitmakers Collaborator of the Year award14.
She also received the W Magazine Award for “Song of the Summer That Was Released Too Late” in 201914. Normani’s “Google: Black-owned Friday” won awards at the 2022 Clio Awards and D&AD Awards14. Forbes listed Normani in their “30 Under 30” list in 202014.
Source Links
- Normani – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normani
- Normani and the Work of the Pop Princess – https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/normani-and-the-work-of-the-pop-princess
- Normani – https://popindustry.fandom.com/wiki/Normani
- Normani: ‘In Fifth Harmony we had a lot of things taken away from us’ – https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine
- Normani Felt Hidden Being the Only Black Girl in Fifth Harmony: ‘I Don’t Think They Knew How’ to Be There for Me – https://people.com/normani-felt-hidden-being-the-only-black-girl-in-fifth-harmony-8722916
- Normani: Rising Above Adversity & Triumphing With Debut Solo Album, ‘Dopamine’ – https://numainstream.com/blogs/mode-life/posts/7418540/normani-rising-above-adversity-triumphing-with-debut-solo-album-dopamine
- Normani Reflects On Growth And Confidence Since Fifth Harmony Split And Solo Career – https://girlsunited.essence.com/feedback/news/normani-tresemme-interview/
- Beyond The Lyrics: The Rise of Normani – https://rnbmusic.co/2024/06/17/beyond-the-lyrics-the-rise-of-normani/
- ‘Dopamine’: Normani’s Electrifying Debut – https://www.sonical.ly/blog-post/dopamine-normanis-electrifying-debut?d403b0ab_page=29
- ‘DOPAMINE’ blends experimentation and edge into smooth R&B – https://www.melodicmag.com/2024/06/17/normanis-dopamine-blends-experimentation-and-edge-into-smooth-rb-gold/
- Delays, Collabs, Team Changes: Normani’s Debut Album Is Six Years in the Making – https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/normani-dopamine-debut-album-music-timeline-1234974110/
- Normani Shows Us Who She Is on Her Debut Album, ‘Dopamine’ – https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a61087140/normani-dopamine-review/
- 44 Facts About Normani Kordei – https://facts.net/celebrity/44-facts-about-normani-kordei/
- List of awards and nominations received by Normani – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Normani
