Normani
Biography
Normani Kordei Hamilton, known professionally as Normani, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 31, 1996, and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her family relocated to Houston, Texas, in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. From a young age, she was involved in dance, gymnastics, and beauty pageants. Her early performances and a passion for the arts set the stage for her future career in entertainment.
Fifth Harmony
In 2012, Normani auditioned for the second season of The X Factor USA. Although she was eliminated as a solo artist during the boot camp round, she was brought back to form the girl group Fifth Harmony, alongside Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui, and Camila Cabello. The group finished in third place in the competition. Fifth Harmony went on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, releasing successful singles like "Work from Home" and "Worth It". The group released three studio albums before announcing an indefinite hiatus in March 2018 for the members to pursue solo careers.
Solo Career
Normani began her solo career while still in Fifth Harmony, competing in the 24th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2017. Her first major success as a solo artist came in 2018 with the release of her duet with Khalid, "Love Lies," for the soundtrack of the film Love, Simon. The song was a commercial success, peaking in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. This was followed by several other collaborations, including a two-song EP with Calvin Harris and the hit single "Dancing with a Stranger" with Sam Smith in 2019, which reached the top ten in numerous countries. In August 2019, she released her debut solo single "Motivation," which received critical acclaim for its nostalgic 2000s-inspired music video and dynamic choreography. She has also collaborated with artists like Cardi B on the single "Wild Side" and Megan Thee Stallion.
Debut Album: Dopamine
Normani released her long-awaited debut solo album, "Dopamine," on June 14, 2024. The album, released through RCA Records, features collaborations with artists such as Cardi B, Gunna, and James Blake. The project is described as a blend of pop and R&B and reflects her personal and artistic evolution. The creation of the album was a challenging period for Normani, as she dealt with the pressure of expectations and both of her parents battling cancer. "Dopamine" debuted on the Billboard 200 chart and includes the previously released single "Wild Side" and new tracks like "1:59" and "Candy Paint".