# Normani
**Normani** (born Normani Kordei Hamilton, 1996) is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer who first rose to fame as a member of the girl group [Fifth Harmony](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifth-harmony) and later built a solo career in pop and R&B, capped by her debut album *Dopamine* (2024).[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) Her solo breakthrough came with the 2018 single "Love Lies" with Khalid, and she followed it with collaborations with [Sam Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/sam-smith), Megan Thee Stallion, and [Cardi B](https://www.edgepedia.org/cardi-b) before releasing her first full-length record six years after announcing it.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) • [2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name / born | Normani Kordei Hamilton, born 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) |
| Group career | Member of Fifth Harmony, formed on the US X Factor in 2012; the group's first three albums all debuted in the Top Ten[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) |
| Solo breakthrough | "Love Lies" with Khalid (February 2018), number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and quintuple platinum[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) |
| Biggest solo hit | "Wild Side" featuring Cardi B (2021), number 14 on the Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) |
| Debut album | *Dopamine*, released June 14, 2024 on RCA Records; 13 tracks, about 41 minutes[3](https://www.documentarytube.com/blog/review-normani-finally-hits-her-sweet-spot-on-dopamine/) |
| Chart peak | *Dopamine* reached number 91 on the Billboard 200[4](https://los40.com/2025/04/29/doechii-no-hubiera-debutado-con-what-it-is-de-no-ser-por-la-decision-de-esta-exintegrante-de-fifth-harmony/) |
| Awards | Six BMI Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and a Soul Train Music Award[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) |
## Early life
Normani was born in Atlanta and raised in New Orleans until 2005, when [Hurricane Katrina](https://www.edgepedia.org/hurricane-katrina) prompted her family to move to Houston.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) Her parents enrolled her in gymnastics at age three to coax her out of shyness, and she moved through dance recitals, competitions, and pageants throughout childhood.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) She has described the athletic upbringing as the source of her work ethic.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine)
## Fifth Harmony
In 2012 she auditioned for the second season of the US X Factor, initially competing as a soloist before being recast into the five-piece group that became Fifth Harmony.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) • [5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) The group placed third in the show's finale but became one of the franchise's biggest successes, with a reported 33 million records sold.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) Its albums *[Reflection](https://www.edgepedia.org/reflection-fifth-harmony-album)* (2015), *7/27* (2016), and *Fifth Harmony* (2017) all debuted within the Top Ten, and the first two went platinum.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938)
Her years in the group were often difficult. As the only African American member of the lineup, she was targeted by racialized abuse from parts of the fanbase, a period she has described as traumatic.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) She has also said the members had little control over their roles and repertoire: "We were kind of told which one we were going to be within the group, which road to take and what songs to sing."[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) During this period she also competed on *Dancing with the Stars*, flying between tour dates and the show.[6](https://time.com/4807958/fifth-harmony-foursome-down/) The group went on an indefinite hiatus in March 2018, and three weeks later [Keep Cool](https://www.edgepedia.org/keep-cool)/RCA Records announced Normani as its first signee.[7](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2018/Billboard-2018-09-15.pdf)
## Solo career
**Breakthrough singles.** In February 2018, while still in Fifth Harmony, Normani released "Love Lies" with Khalid for the soundtrack of the film *Love, Simon*. The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA.[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) • [8](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/normani/1351375726) Later that year she issued a two-song collaborative EP with [Calvin Harris](https://www.edgepedia.org/calvin-harris) and recorded "Waves" with 6LACK.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) In 2019 came "Dancing with a Stranger" with Sam Smith, which rose into the UK Top Three and reached quadruple-platinum status.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938) • [2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) The stand-alone single "Motivation," produced with [Max Martin](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-martin)'s involvement, arrived in August 2019 and reached the UK Top 30 and number 33 on the US pop chart.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938)
**2020 to 2023.** She paired with [Megan Thee Stallion](https://www.edgepedia.org/megan-thee-stallion) on "Diamonds" for the *Birds of Prey* soundtrack in 2020, then released "Wild Side" featuring Cardi B in 2021; the track hit number 14 on the Hot 100 and ascended to #1 on Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) She has said "Wild Side" was the first time she defined her own sound, drawing on the late-1990s and early-2000s R&B of Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and [Timbaland](https://www.edgepedia.org/timbaland).[9](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/normani-interview-dopamine) The singles "Fair" and "New to You" (with Calvin Harris, Tinashe, and Offset) followed in 2022.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938)
The long gap between her first solo announcement and her album became a running subject of fan discussion. She had tweeted in July 2018 that she had an album title, and a fan replied to that tweet annually for years reminding her of the wait.[10](https://time.com/6548832/most-anticipated-albums-of-2024/) On February 21, 2024 she announced the album's name, *Dopamine*, and shared its cover art, which shows her astride a shiny black rocket.[10](https://time.com/6548832/most-anticipated-albums-of-2024/) • [9](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/normani-interview-dopamine) The announcement website's URL read wheresthedamnalbum.com, a self-deprecating nod to the delay.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine)
## Dopamine
*Dopamine* was released on June 14, 2024 through [RCA Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/rca-records), running 13 tracks and about 41 minutes.[3](https://www.documentarytube.com/blog/review-normani-finally-hits-her-sweet-spot-on-dopamine/) The album leans into R&B rather than the bright pop of "Motivation," which Normani has said was her label's choice of single rather than her own.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) It opens with "Big Boy," a southern rap-influenced track with horn blasts, and includes "Still," which samples Houston rapper [Mike Jones](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-jones)'s "Still Tippin'" as an homage to her hometown.[11](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-dopamine-review-debut-album-columbia) • [3](https://www.documentarytube.com/blog/review-normani-finally-hits-her-sweet-spot-on-dopamine/) Guest appearances include Cardi B on the closing "Wild Side," James Blake on "Tantrums," Gunna on the single "1:59," and Brandy, who contributed vocal production and appears on "Insomnia."[9](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/normani-interview-dopamine) • [12](https://www.metacritic.com/music/dopamine/normani)
The album peaked at number 91 on the Billboard 200, below what many observers had anticipated.[4](https://los40.com/2025/04/29/doechii-no-hubiera-debutado-con-what-it-is-de-no-ser-por-la-decision-de-esta-exintegrante-de-fifth-harmony/) Critical reception was mixed to positive. The Guardian's review called it "pop's longest-awaited debut" and praised its confident turn toward R&B while noting moments that felt overfamiliar.[11](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-dopamine-review-debut-album-columbia) Pitchfork wrote that the record "lays the foundation for what Normani will be known for: her Southern roots and a voice as plush as a pair of fuzzy dice," while criticizing some tracks as filler.[13](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/normani-dopamine/) The Independent found it "sexy but too sleepy," singling out "Tantrums" and "Wild Side" as highlights.[14](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/normani-dopamine-review-b2561328.html) NME called it "belated, yes, but also brilliant."[15](https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/normani-dopamine-review-tracklist-lyrics-3765260)
One notable near-miss from the era: Normani declined to record "What It Is (Block Boy)," a song offered to her during the album process; it later became Doechii's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.[4](https://los40.com/2025/04/29/doechii-no-hubiera-debutado-con-what-it-is-de-no-ser-por-la-decision-de-esta-exintegrante-de-fifth-harmony/)
## Delays and personal circumstances
The six-year wait for *Dopamine* had specific causes. In 2020, after 19 years in remission, her mother Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time; her father Derrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer the following year, while Andrea was completing chemotherapy. Both parents have since recovered.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) Normani has also cited a breakup, shifting teams, and creative differences with her label as factors in the delay.[5](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine) • [13](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/normani-dopamine/) In 2026, Brazilian outlet Billboard reported that she had split from the label she had been signed to since 2018, saying it had limited her movement during the *[Dopamine](https://www.edgepedia.org/dopamine-normani-album)* rollout.[16](https://billboard.com.br/normani-revela-nova-era-pop/)
## Recognition and philanthropy
Beyond her chart record, Normani has received six BMI Awards, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and a Soul Train Music Award.[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) She serves as Diversity Ambassador for the Cybersmile Foundation, a nonprofit that addresses cyberbullying and online abuse, and as a Global Ambassador for the [American Cancer Society](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-cancer-society).[2](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/) Her stage work has drawn particular attention, including a handstand-into-a-split performance at the 2019 VMAs and a [Janet Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/janet-jackson) homage there in 2021.[13](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/normani-dopamine/)
## References
1. [Normani Biography, AllMusic (Andy Kellman)](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/normani-mn0003722938)
2. [Bio, Normani official website (Sony Music)](https://www.officialnormani.com/bio/)
3. [Review: Normani Finally Hits Her Sweet Spot on 'Dopamine', DocumentaryTube](https://www.documentarytube.com/blog/review-normani-finally-hits-her-sweet-spot-on-dopamine/)
4. [Doechii no hubiera debutado con 'What It Is' de no ser por la decisión de esta exintegrante de Fifth Harmony, LOS40](https://los40.com/2025/04/29/doechii-no-hubiera-debutado-con-what-it-is-de-no-ser-por-la-decision-de-esta-exintegrante-de-fifth-harmony/)
5. [Normani: 'In Fifth Harmony we had a lot of things taken away from us', The Guardian (Jenessa Williams, 14 June 2024)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-interview-debut-album-dopamine)
6. [Fifth Harmony Discusses Finding a Groove as a Foursome on New Song 'Down', TIME (Raisa Bruner, 8 June 2017)](https://time.com/4807958/fifth-harmony-foursome-down/)
7. [Going Her Own Way, Billboard (15 September 2018 issue, WorldRadioHistory archive)](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2018/Billboard-2018-09-15.pdf)
8. [Normani, Apple Music artist page](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/normani/1351375726)
9. [Normani On Confidence, Creativity And Finally Achieving Lift-Off With Her Debut Album 'Dopamine', British Vogue (Liam Hess, 17 June 2024)](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/normani-interview-dopamine)
10. [The Most Anticipated Albums of 2024, TIME (21 December 2023)](https://time.com/6548832/most-anticipated-albums-of-2024/)
11. [Normani: Dopamine review – pop's longest-awaited debut almost defeats the trolls, The Guardian (Michael Cragg, 13 June 2024)](https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/14/normani-dopamine-review-debut-album-columbia)
12. [Dopamine by Normani, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/music/dopamine/normani)
13. [Normani: DOPAMINE Album Review, Pitchfork (Heven Haile, 18 June 2024)](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/normani-dopamine/)
14. [Normani review, Dopamine: Fifth Harmony star's long-awaited debut is sexy but too sleepy, The Independent (Nicole Vassell, 14 June 2024)](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/normani-dopamine-review-b2561328.html)
15. [Normani – 'Dopamine' review: belated, yes, but also brilliant, NME (Nick Levine, 14 June 2024)](https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/normani-dopamine-review-tracklist-lyrics-3765260)
16. [Normani rompe com gravadora e promete nova era musical, Billboard Brasil (6 August 2026)](https://billboard.com.br/normani-revela-nova-era-pop/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Pop and R&B singer-songwriters › R&B singers, 2010s to present › Surnames H to O*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license