Black female pop stars are killing it right now: Normani’s long-awaited album “DOPAMINE” finally dropped Friday, Victoria Monét continues her winning streak this week with her “Alright” music video and Tinashe has one of the biggest hits of her career in “Nasty.”
All three acts are dominating social media and the airwaves after nearly ten years each in the game. But what led to this surge in popularity for these stars?
Before we dive in, let’s make one thing clear: it was never a question of talent for these ladies. Monét cut her teeth writing for some of the biggest pop and R&B acts of the last ten years, famously penning hits with her bestie Ariana Grande, Chloe x Halle, Fifth Harmony and more while releasing her own music and EPs.
Nothing hit quite like 2023’s “Jaguar II,” however, which launched Monét into a new level of superstardom, leading to a top 40 hit with “On My Mama” and multiple Grammys. Her latest video for “Alright” has the internet going up, with many calling her “Janet’s daughter.”
Tinashe, who released her debut album with RCA records in 2014, has the biggest hit of her career on her hands with the viral “Nasty.” Assisted by a viral Tiktok dance trend, the singer is reaching new heights of pop stardom and as many fans have pointed out, is finally getting the flowers she has long deserved.
Even more impressive is the fact that Tinashe is an independent artist now, with a viral hit all on her own.
Speaking to Variety about the sudden viral success after 10 years in the game, she recently told the outlet, “I was saying this to my mom the other day, 10 years later, who would have thought? And I didn’t need this moment. I came to the place where I didn’t need that validation anymore. And I think that makes it even better, because it’s like holy shit, the universe just worked in such mysterious ways.”
Then we have Normani, the beloved member of Fifth Harmony, with her songs “Motivation” (2019) and “Wild Side” (2021) certainly proving her star power. But her fandom has long waited for her official debut (five years!), and finally, she has released it — perhaps at a time when the music landscape can finally embrace her and all shades of her talent.
To understand why these acts are having a moment now, its important to look at the industry in this moment and the ways in which we consume music. While the internet has long shifted how we interact with music, the last five years have seen a major shift in the industry due in part to TikTok.
Trends pop up every day on the popular app, connecting millions and allowing everyone to feel like they are a part of cultural moments in ways we have never seen.
With this interconnection, a song like “On My Mama” lives beyond a simple music video drop. Dancers put their own spin on Sean Bankhead’s iconic choreography, singers share their interpretations and fans can simply geek out about a track, talking directly to camera with their own takes on new music releases. The same can be said for Tinashe’s “Nasty,” which has inspired countless videos online from serious dance challenges to hilarious interpretations of the saucy lyrics.
But it can’t just be TikTok, can it…? Cultural moments take much more than the platforms that house them. The current musical landscape in the industry is far more accepting of dance-forward pop girls, many of whom (these three included) have been waiting in the wings for a minute.
Like most cultural trends, we have to remember where we are as human beings to fully understand the types of music we are gravitating toward.
After years of being shut inside (COVID-19 pandemic, we’re looking at you), folks are ready to be together again and celebrate. It’s why concert attendance is up and why eras like Beyoncé’s dance music inspired “Renaissance” have proved so successful.
Times are tough, and folks want to celebrate. They want to escape, and yes, they want to dance. With an entire new album of tracks from Normani and potential singles from Monét and Tinashe, it is truly their time to shine. Let’s hope this wave is not just a trend, and that the pop dance girl can continue to thrive once again for years to come, with us dancing alongside them.
