NEWS
US singer Normani (R) performs on stage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, September 12, 2021.
Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty ImagesNormani staged the debut live performance of her new single “Wild Side” Sunday at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
In an entirely metallic getup that matched her dancers, Normani delivered a steamy rendition of “Wild Side” where she gave a lap dance to Teyana Taylor while strapped down to a metal contraption. The moment seemingly paid homage to Janet Jackson’s past performances.
The singer was a late addition to the VMA performers lineup, with the appearance sparked in part by a grassroots social media campaign that demanded #LetNormaniPerform; she previously performed her song “Motivation” at the 2019 VMAs.
“I don’t know where to start with you guys,” Normani tweeted to her fans after her VMA performance was announced. “You’re my heart and soul and have always stuck by me through all the fucking adversities. First shall be the last and the last shall be the first. MY NATION I love youuuuu. Shit bout to be lit IM CRINE.”
Although Normani wasn’t nominated at the 2021 VMAs, she received her first Moon Person in 2019 when “Waves” won Best R&B Song.
Normani premiered the Cardi B-featuring “Wild Side” in July; the video was choreographed by the singer’s longtime collaborator Sean Bankhead. “I had already been in rehearsal for about three weeks preparing for the video when Cardi heard the record for the first time,” Normani said in a statement in July. “She really showed up for me and brought this record to life by simply doing what Cardi does best. I love that woman down and I’m forever grateful.”
Busta Rhymes is honoring his late friend D’Angelo in a truly moving way. The rapper released a heartfelt tribute track titled “Magic,” marking one of his most emotional releases in years. The song celebrates the neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who sadly passed away earlier this month after a private battle with cancer. Over the smooth, soulful backdrop of D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” from his 2000 classic Voodoo, Busta reflects deeply, sharing raw and powerful emotions through his storytelling.
Throughout the seven-minute piece, Busta takes listeners on a journey through his 34-year friendship with D’Angelo. He recalls their early sessions with A Tribe Called Quest and describes the lasting connection they built over the decades. Instead of simply celebrating the music, Busta pays homage to the person behind it. He describes D’Angelo as a rare, once-in-a-generation artist who “never needed a co-sign” and “touched the souls of the people and everything between.”
During an interview with Okayplayer, Busta called D’Angelo “a godsend,” reflecting on his influence across R&B and hip-hop. “The Earth shifted when D came to do music,” he said, a statement that perfectly sums up D’Angelo’s impact. Anyone familiar with Brown Sugar, Voodoo, or Black Messiah knows his legacy speaks volumes.
“Magic” feels like a conversation between two lifelong friends. Busta Rhymes gives fans an intimate look at a bond that helped shape decades of soul-infused hip-hop. The tributes pouring in since D’Angelo’s passing highlight not only his extraordinary artistry but also the love and respect he inspired among peers. Lauryn Hill expressed it beautifully, writing, “Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.”
