Yesterday (June 14), Normani unleashed her long-awaited debut solo album, “Dopamine.” The album has been met with critical and fan acclaim, with many praising her prowess in R&B. Even her former Fifth Harmony bandmate Lauren Jauregui showed support for the record. The album features thirteen tracks, and repeated listening reveals some intriguing similarities with songs from the past, paying homage to various artists and styles, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s eras of R&B and hip-hop. Keep reading to find out all the samples and interpolations featured in “Dopamine.”
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“Still” / “Still Tippin’”
The second track on the album, “Still,” features a sample and interpolation of Mike Jones’ debut song “Still Tippin’.” Released in 2004 as the lead single from the rapper’s album “Who Is Mike Jones?”, this track has an interesting history. The album version differs from the original, which featured Slim Thug and Chamillionaire. Due to a rivalry, Chamillionaire was cut from the final version, which instead features Paul Wall.
“Insomnia” / “A Capella (Something’s Missing)”
Normani pays homage to one of her R&B idols, Brandy, on the sixth track, “Insomnia.” The song contains an interpolation from “A Capella (Something’s Missing),” a track from Brandy’s fifth album, “Human.”
“Little Secrets” / “Drip Too Hard”
In “Little Secrets,” Normani references a more recent song, “Drip Too Hard.” Released in 2018 by Lil Baby and Gunna as the lead single from their collaborative album “Drip Harder,” it is one of the most celebrated rap collaborations of the last decade. The track achieved RIAA Diamond certification and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
“Wild Side” / “One in a Million”
Featuring Cardi B, “Wild Side” is the most successful single from Normani’s debut album “Dopamine,” peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song interpolates the drum pattern of one of the biggest R&B songs ever, “One in a Million” by Aaliyah. Written by Missy Elliott and Timbaland, the song was released in 1996 and has been revisited numerous times over the years.
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