Normani, Chloe Bailey and Tinashe top the list of the new girls on the pedestal of the next greats, and have been instrumental in shaping in reimagining the pop genre, transforming the sonic and aesthetic blueprint of pop and RnB genres.
Normani
The Fifth Harmony alum has made a name for herself as the next triple-threat. After a success run with her former group after which each of them embarked on solo careers. After a two-year hiatus, Normani made a huge return with Wild Side, one of the most monumental records of last year. High-octane choreography, overall impeccable artistry, raunchy lyrics and an Aaliyah sample were some of the elements that made her reentry into the scene loud. She would later take on the stage with her televised performance of the song. To say she tore the stage up would be an understatement.
The 25-year-old’s background in dance adds to her multiple talents. She has severally been dubbed the ‘next Beyonce’ or ‘next Janet Jackson’ as an ode to her incorporation of intense choreography in her choreography and videos. Prior to Wild Side, she had fans in awe with the ultra impressive Motivation. debut single. The song singlehandedly aided in making a name for her as a future great and built up anticipation for more of her solo material.
She has hinted that the album is due anytime now.
Tinashe
The 2 On singer has been around for a hot second, but her trajectory keeps getting better. Already immersed in the success of a string of hits like All Hands on Deck, the singer departed RCA Records in her quest to pursue creative freedom and it worked in her favor; her two albums post-RCA Songs for You and 333 ooze of musical ingenuity. Her sound is nothing like the generic music that currently infiltrates the airwaves, which speaks a lot about her sonic prowess.
Just like Normani, Tinashe is all too well cognizant of the staying power of a well choreographed video and stage performances. How she is not as big as she should be is one of Hollywood’s biggest mysteries, but keep your worries in the backburner as she will effortlessly wake up those still sleeping on her. Not to mention her songwriting abilities and vocal range complement her aforementioned abilities.
In 2017, she was handpicked by Janet Jackson to pay homage to her at the BET Icon Awards, together with Ciara and Janet Jackson. Nashe just churned the deluxe version to 333 with a new video, Naturally, that follows up the futuristic X music video.
Side note: Check out Superlove, Save Room For Us, 2 On and Player from her extensive catalog.
Chloe Bailey
When you are Beyonce’s protégé, it is only right that your stakes are sky-high, right? Chloe Bailey, now mononymously known as Chloe, first got her start as a part of the Chloe x Halle duo, made up of her and sister Halle Bailey. The twosome caught Beyonce’s eye when they do YouTube covers of the singer – their viral rendition of Queen Bey’s Pretty Hurts. The duo’s 2021 album, Ungodly Hour, catapulted them to mainstream success, as did their virtual performances at the height of the pandemic. Also, isn’t turning to Beyonce everyday for inspo the ultimate flex? The Bailey sisters are signed to Bey’s Parkwood Entertainment label.
Fast forward to 2021, Chloe hopped on a solo career with the release of Have Mercy. The song is eargasmic as the video is jaw-dropping. She followed this release up with performances of Have Mercy at both the Video Music Awards and American Music Awards last year, and was a topical conversation both nights. Further cementing her spot as one of the new heavyhitters, her performance of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good classic hit was a prime case in point of plucking a page off Beyonce’s showmanship’s manual. The range, visuals and choreography were all at peak precision.
She has had to counter criticism hurled at her persona for being ‘overtly sexual’ or ‘doing too much’ but the singer, whose debut solo album is underway, is stopping at nothing.
Refer to this feature when Normani, Tinashe and Chloe Bailey are on top of the world. Soon.
