Normani refuses to release music that doesn't represent her true self.
The former Fifth Harmony star took his time releasing his debut album, Dopamine, refusing to put his name on songs he didn't believe in due to past hurt experiences.
“I know what it's like to put out music that you don't necessarily believe in. It's tough when you feel like your voice isn't fully represented or when you have to stand for something you don't believe in, but I've been doing it for a long time,” she explained to Dazed magazine. “So I made a promise to myself that when the opportunity arises, I'm going to do it my way, and I'm not going to apologize for that.”
Normani was a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony from 2012 to 2018, and launched her solo career in 2019 with the hit single “Motivation.” Though the song was a huge success, the 28-year-old wasn't satisfied with her debut solo song because it didn't feel like her own personality.
“It felt so easy. It felt like the right thing to do, but it didn't necessarily feel authentic,” she said. “I knew it would work, but even with that knowledge, I thought it was just as important for me to feel represented. I really was like, 'OK, as long as everyone's happy…'”
She added, “When I first left the group, I didn't even really know who Normani was or what she sounded like. I needed some time to gain some life experiences and to challenge myself in the studio and not be afraid.”
After multiple delays, Normani finally released her debut solo album, Dopamine, in June.