Normani releases first single in over a year with steamy ‘Wild Side’ video featuring Cardi B

Cardi B used a BET Awards performance with husband Offset and Migos to announce that she’s pregnant. The couple has another child who turns 3 in July. USA TODAY

Normani is giving us innovation with “Wild Side,” her first single in over a year.

Featuring Cardi B, the singer released both the song and music video Friday, departing from her signature upbeat 2019 hit “Motivation” and delivering a steamy, sensual, slow jam.

And while “Motivation” channeled 90’s era R&B, “Wild Side” is reminiscent of 2000’s music videos, sampling the late Aaliyah and paying homage to the artist. The 25-year-old didn’t stray too far though. Normani still showed off her impeccable dance moves in multiple numbers throughout the video. 

Cardi B, whom Normani last collaborated with on “W.A.P.”, makes her appearance halfway through the video. The Fifth Harmony alum comes in for a rap interlude naked on a round platform. She joins Normani in an embrace as water rains down from the ceiling. 

The rapper explained her verse on the song in a tweet writing, “Sooo like I did a verse and Normani team said they wanted nastier sooo I was like alright …. your wish is my command.”

Normani teased her single two days ago by sharing a photo of herself from the music video and captioning it with one of her lyrics from the song.

Babies: Cardi B reveals second pregnancy with Offset, shows off baby bump during BET Awards performance

More: Normani reveals her mother’s breast cancer has returned: ‘We got this mommy’

Fans were applauding “Wild Side” on Twitter following its drop.

@Oloni tweeted: “The looks Normani was serving, the choreography, the visuals, the everything.”

“Crazy how Normani and Tinashe are the only R&B girlies that are delivering sound, choreography, and visuals! It feels like 2000’s again!” tweeted @tinaqueen_15.

Cardi B made an appearance on Normani’s steamy new song and video.

 (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images for Diamond Ball)

Some were impressed with her Aaliyah sample.

“I didn’t think anybody would ever have the chance to touch the One in a Million beat but Normani & Cardi did they thaaaang,” wrote @lieahszn.

Normani has been working on a debut album, but has yet to announce its release date.

“There’s so much expectation that I have for myself, so adding (fans’ expectations) onto that can be a lot, but it really does motivate me,” Normani told Teen Vogue in October. “I really want to create a body of work that’s going to count, you know? I’m never going to get my first album back.”

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