The anticipation for Normani’s debut album, Dopamine, is growing as the multi-hyphenate entertainer reveals more about the project. During a recent conversation with Tomás Mier of Rolling Stone, she let the world know Brandy had contributed to her latest body of work.
“There’s a record called ‘A Capella (Something’s Missing)’ by her [from 2008], and I went in with that inspiration with [producers] Stargate,” she explained.
“I was like, ‘I want to capture this feeling.’ And that’s exactly what we did. And I was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be crazy if she added harmonies and just different textures?’ That’s really what I was going for. She loved the song. She ended up being so down and jumped on it. I have a record with Brandy! It was crazy.”
As for the album, Normani told Mier that she had been leaning toward “darker-sounding things from a sonic perspective” lately.
“I naturally gravitate to darker-sounding things from a sonic perspective, something that feels like it has bite and grit and edginess to it,” she said.
“I always just like being left of center. At one point, I was like, ‘Listen, everything can’t sound dark. We want to take everybody on a ride. We need to add some color.’ I love Missy Elliott so much, Timbaland production. I like unique things that haven’t necessarily really been heard, so that’s also why production is my favorite part of the process. I’m honestly already thinking about what I want the show to look like. I’m excited to perform ‘Lights On.’ That’s my Janet moment.”
Normani’s collaboration with Brandy and her debut album, Dopamine, will arrive Friday, June 14, 2024.
