Normani-Themed Permanent Tattoos, Custom T-Shirts, And Everything I Experienced At The “Dopamine” Listening Party

Music·Posted 25 minutes ago

Normani’s Debut Solo Album “Dopamine” Is Happening, And I Got To Hear It EarlyThe former Fifth Harmony singer’s long-awaited debut solo album just might live up to its title.

Normani is finally releasing her debut studio album six years later, and I have something to say about it.

In 2012, Normani, originally a solo performer on The X Factor, was paired up with four other women to form the girl group Fifth Harmony.

Luckily, if her win with 2018’s “Love Lives” with Khalid for the Love, Simon soundtrack was any indication, Normani was back on track for a successful solo career as she intended to start in 2012.

On June 30, 2018, she posted on Twitter (now X), “I have my album title, y’all,” and the debut solo album was on the way.
I have my album title y’all

— Normani (@Normani) July 1, 2018

Twitter: @Normani

The same year, we saw a few more features, including a two-track EP with Calvin Harris, followed by her own single “Waves” featuring 6BLACK. But there was no debut album.

Next, we got another song — this time on the Birds of Prey soundtrack in 2020, and another single, “Wild Side,” with Cardi B in 2021, but still no album.

Finally, on February 21, 2024, Normani announced the title of her debut studio album, Dopamine, alongside the album cover, and we all realized that the wait was actually over after six long years.
Twitter: @Normani

In spring 2024, Normani released two singles featured on the album, the R&B jam “1:59” featuring Gunna and the pop party track “Candy Paint.”

And, in case you’re wondering what to expect from the rest of her album — I got to listen to Normani’s debut solo project early, and this is how it all went down.

The location for the listening party was in this creepy, decked-out parking garage, and it felt like I was walking into a space station in the Star Wars universe.

All types of people eagerly awaited a first listen to Normani’s long-awaited album. And to keep us busy while we waited, Normani had plenty for us to do.

Dozens of people waited in line to get one-of-kind, custom-made airbrush t-shirts by an artist named Sobstory.

They had signature cocktails named after songs from the album, including “All Yours,” “1:59,” “Big Boy,” and “Candy Paint,” which was a blend of Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom Vodka with Pineapple Juice and Blue Curacao.

For the bold fans, a tattoo booth gave out temporary and permanent tattoos of symbols related to the album, including the chemical formula for dopamine, the rocket, and Normani’s logo.

I got a permanent tattoo of the rocket!

For the main event, Normani arrived in a suped-up black car. One by one, she introduced us to the tracks on her new album. I’ll admit I had my doubts, but the album delivered.

While the album features collaborations with James Blake, Gunna, and Cardi B, it primarily focuses on introducing Normani’s strengths as a solo artist, something that’s been in the works for a very long time.

Hearing the work up close and live (and Normani’s dance moves as each track switched) revealed that she is much more than a singer — she’s a disciplined dancer, a studied performer, and a mindful songwriter.

I think the album will be worth the wait!

Dopamine is out on June 14.