Wild Side

* Standard
* Kaytranada Remix

### Producer(s)

Normani, Dave Cappa, Starrah, Tyler Rohn, Jonah Christian, Taylor Ross, June Nawakii

## Music Video

"**Wild Side**" is a song by Normani featuring American rapper Cardi B and it features additional features by Starrah. It was released as a single on July 16, 2021 through Keep Cool and RCA Records on July 16, 2021, as the lead single from Normani's upcoming debut solo album. The song marks her first radio single since 2019's "Motivation". It was written by the two artists alongside Keynon Moore, Pardison Fontaine, Starrah, Dave Cappa, Jonah Christian, June Nawakii, Taylor Ross, and Tyler Rohn, and was produced by the latter six and Normani.

"Wild Side" received critical acclaim upon release, with praise for the song's vocals and production. The song contains an interpolation of the 1996 Aaliyah single "One in a Million". It was released alongside a music video directed by Tanu Muino, who also directed Cardi B's "Up"; and was choreographed by Sean Bankhead, who also choreographed "Up", and Normani's "Motivation".

"Wild Side" debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number-one on the R&B Streaming Songs chart, the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, and Urban Radio. The song was one of the most thumbed up tracks of 2021 on Pandora. It has been nominated for several accolades, including the MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer, and the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video, while winning the Soul Train Music Award for Best Dance Performance, and the UK Music Video Award for Best R&B/Soul Video - International.

## Background and release

Normani went on a two-year hiatus from music after the release of the single "Motivation", in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of her mother's breast cancer. During that time period her mother encouraged her to focus on her career and making new music, in the process "Wild Side" was created. Normani posted a snippet of "Wild Side" to her social media on February 5, 2021, with the caption, "know it's been awhile". Cardi B heard the snippet and later joined "Wild Side" according to the singer, with Normani stating "I knew I wanted to do something with her, but I was already in rehearsal for three weeks for the music video. We had already been in rehearsal, and I called her stylist because he's also my stylist, and I was like, 'Yo, like, we gotta figure something out. Like this link-up has to happen. There's no other way. It just has to happen, there's no option. 'And he was like, 'Actually, she mentioned "Wild Side", She was like, "Is it that "Wild Side" song? Is it the "Wild Side" song?"' Because I had posted the clip like two months ago".

After speculation of a collaboration between the two, Normani archived all but one post on her Instagram page on July 12, 2021, hinting at a possible relevant announcement. The following day, Cardi B stated that she had "a little secret" to tell her audience the following day. On July 14, Normani confirmed the title, release date and cover art of the collaborative single on her respective social media pages. Both performers had interacted in the past multiple times, with Normani making a special appearance in the music video for "WAP" by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion in August 2020 alongside other singers and personalities like Kylie Jenner and Rosalía.

## Critical response

"Wild Side" received critical acclaim upon its release. *MTV News* praised Normani's vocal performance, stating that she "delivers her silky verses with serenity and precision, sizzling with temptation and allure with every breath. She never leaves a moment unmilked; her voice masterfully floats along the song's subtle yet thumping production – sampling fellow R&B goddess Aaliyah's 1996 hit 'One In A Million'", and praised Cardi B's rapping on the song, noting that she "slides in with ease." For *Pitchfork*, Vrinda Jagota called it "a sultry R&B showstopper", adding, "If 'Motivation' was Normani's jubilant breakthrough, 'Wild Side' is the meticulously crafted showpiece that proves she's here to stay." For *USA Today*, Rasha Ali deemed it "a steamy, sensual slow jam." Victoria Moorwood of The Recording Academy, stated that the pair "stuck gold" with the songs Interpolation of "One In A Million".

In August 2021, *Billboard* placed the single on their 15 Best Aaliyah Samples in Modern R&B/Hip-Hop list. American gymnast Jordan Chiles, referred to "Wild Side" as one of her favorite songs.

## Commercial performance

In the United States, "Wild Side" debuted at number 14 on the *Billboard* Hot 100, marking Normani's third top 20 solo hit, and Cardi B's 16th; while becoming Normani's highest debuting song to date. It was the top-selling R&B release of the week in overall consumption, debuting at number 5 on the US Digital Song Sales chart. The song also debuted at number 10 on the US *Rolling Stone* Top 100, marking the biggest debut of the week on the chart. It also debuted simultaneously atop the R&B Streaming Songs chart, the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, and the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart, while reaching number 3 on the Hot R&B Songs chart. In addition, "Wild Side" also debuted at number 27 on the *Billboard* Global 200 chart.

Less than three months after it was released, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, for selling approximately 500,000 units in the US. The song reached the Top 10 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, after nine weeks. While later, reaching the Top 3 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, in the November 6, 2021 issue of *Billboard.* The following week, the single reached number-one on Urban Radio. In December 2021, it was announced that the song was one of the Top 20 most thumbed up tracks of 2021 on Pandora. On the January 1, 2022 issue of *Billboard*, the song reached number-one on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart, tying "Oui" by Jeremih for the fifth-longest march to number-one on the chart. "Wild Side" also reached the top ten on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, after 23 weeks on the chart, breaking the record for the longest climb to the chart's top 10 by a female artist, and the second overall, trailing only the 25-week wait of Los Del Rio's "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)".

## Music video

The official music video, directed by Tanu Muino, was released to YouTube alongside the song on July 16, 2021. The music video was choreographed by Sean Bankhead, drawing inspriation from Ciara's "Like a Boy" music video. The singer wears multiple outfits throughout the four-minute video, including a cutout black lingerie set with matching thigh-high boots, a cropped leather outfit, and a leopard-print bustier. During her verse, Cardi B is featured completely nude wearing floor length hair extensions, while also embracing a nude Normani. Debra Paget in the movie *The Indian Tomb*, is briefly referenced in a scene from the music video.

The music video accumulated 1.5 million views in its first ten hours on YouTube, and cracked the Top 30 trending searches on Google. In December 2021, Vevo announced that the music video was the 3rd most watched R&B video of 2021 in the United States.

### Reception

For *NPR*, LaTesha Harris wrote "The video amplifies the single's debts to the past: dance moves inspired by Janet's 'Rhythm Nation'; visuals reminiscent of TLC, Blaque and Missy Elliot; and a direct nod to Golden Hollywood entertainer Debra Paget. And under all the pastiche is the intoxicating charisma of a star performer, a rare find these days, basking in the shadows of her foremothers." For *The Los Angeles Times*, Christi Carras praised Normani's choreography in the music video, commenting "When it comes to dancing, no one is doing it like Normani in "Wild Side" video". While Brooke Kato for *The New York Post* praised Cardi B's turn in the music video, stating "It's Cardi B's world and we're all just living in it."

The music video received praise and support from fans and celebrities across social media including Halle Berry, Ariana Grande, Victoria Monét, and Megan Thee Stallion. On Twitter, Lil Nas X deemed it the "best music video" he had ever seen in his entire life, adding "I am in [awe]. I am inspired!" Multiple publications referred to it as one of the biggest music videos of 2021, including *Nylon*, *The New York Times*, and *Dazed*, with the latter also referring to it as one of the "best music videos of 2021". In February of 2022, *Cosmopolitan* placed it on its '42 Sexiest Music Videos of All Time' list.

### Controversy

In July 2021, *Rolling Stone* published an article titled "Why Queerbaiting Matters More Than Ever", in which music journalist Moises Mendez II accused Normani and Cardi B of queerbaiting in the music video for "Wild Side", noting that the two musicians "are pictured naked and gyrating against one another". The article sparked a response from Cardi B, in which she criticized the journalist for not acknowledging her own bisexuality, after coming out in 2018, stating "I'm married to a man but I have express soo much about my bisexuality and my experiences wit girls. All of a sudden 'queer baiting' is the new word & people use it to the ground!" She also added that the reason her and Normani embraced nude in the music video was to conceal her pregnancy, which she had not publicly revealed at the time the music video was shot, commenting "you do know we was trying to hide a whole baby bump right?".

## Usage in media

In July 2021, a "Wild Side" dance challenge started trending on social media, with the hashtag #WildSideChallenge garnering 15.6 million views on TikTok within a few weeks, with Brazilian singer Anitta, and American singers Lizzo and Ciara participating in the challenge. English musician FKA Twigs also filmed a pole dancing routine featuring the song that she posted on TikTok.

American rapper Megan Thee Stallion referenced the song in her "Tuned In Freestyle", from her *Something for Thee Hotties* mixtape, with the lyrics "I wanna show my wild side, make them doo doo doo." In October 2021, Aespa member Karina performed a dance routine to "Wild Side" on the South Korean television program *Knowing Bros*. Later that month, singer Bryson Tiller sampled the single on his song "Are You Listening", from his *Killer Instinct 2* mixtape. Brazilian singer Pocah paid homage to Normani in a photo shoot inspired by the song's music video.

## Live performances

Normani first performed "Wild Side" at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2021, after fans petitioned for her to perform on the show with the hashtag #LetNormaniPerform. The performance featured intense choreography, and a surprise cameo from Teyana Taylor, that paid tribute to Janet Jackson's live performances of "Would You Mind". It was positively-received by music critics. *Pitchfork* deemed it "the night’s most exciting performance", while calling Normani "one of her generation's most promising stars". While *Rolling Stone* wrote, "Normani stole the show in 'Wild Side', with the night's official instant-classic VMAs moment". According to *Deadline*, the performance was one of two most popular moments on social media that night.

The performance received criticism from David Portnoy, who claimed the positive response that the performance received was a double standard in comparison to the negative feedback for his sports blog, *Barstool Sports*. Portnoy tweeted, "I just want people to know, this is on VH1 right now, just like cable TV, anyone can watch this", "People say *Barstool*'s too raunchy, like, that, you know, we're sexist, chauvinist pigs, can't let people see it, too over the top, smokeshows, but this girl, who's getting like face f—ed, and scissoring, right now just on VH1, this is cool." TMZ reported that the performance triggered complaints to the Federal Communications Commission "over what some say were raunchy displays".

Normani again performed an abbreviated version of "Wild Side" at Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3, which premiered on Prime Video on September 24, 2021. Normani "delivered a visually stunning set in a green catsuit, spiky bun, and lucite heels against a bright red backdrop, channeling the futuristic vibe of her music video," according to Erica Gonzalez for *Elle*.

## Trivia

* "Wild Side" has an extended version featuring Normani's bridge from the official Music Video.
* "Wild Side" was nominated for "Best Song of the Summer" at the *2021 MTV VMAs*.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1: Normani]**

I'm ready to pull up on you

I'm ready to do what I do

Baby, what you wanna do?

Shoot your shot 'cause I'm bulletproof (Yeah)

Load it up and doo-doo-doo (Doo-doo)

Baby, what you wanna do? (Do, do, do, do)

I'm ready to pull up on you (You, you, you, you)

I'm ready to do what I do (Do, do, do, ooh)

**[Pre-Chorus: Normani]**

This type shit have you wildin' (Ooh)

Last minute trips to the islands (Ooh)

Drip, drip, drip when you slide in (Ooh)

Fit, fit, fit, baby, right in (Ooh)

Don't hesitate when you (Ooh)

In it, 'cause you know I like it (Ooh)

Bakin' up a cake for you (Ooh)

Sweet, baby, like it when you bite it

**[Chorus: Normani]**

We can't just keep talkin' about it

We think too often about it

We can't just be cautious about it

I wanna get wild

Take me for a ride, boy

Show me your wild side, boy

Know it's been a while, boy

I wanna get wild

**[Verse 2: Normani]**

I wanna drive you crazy (Crazy)

Pull up inside me, baby (Boy)

Fuckin' it up like oopsie-daisy

Ain't no "If, ands, buts and maybes"

Don't be laid up in that shit likе you lazy

I need you to roll up in that shit like you skatin'

Baby, ain't no hold up, I'm that shit, I hate waitin', doo-doo-doo-doo-doo

Shoot your shot, I'm impatient (Doo-doo-doo, ooh)

**[Pre-Chorus: Normani]**

This typе shit have you wildin' (Ooh)

Last minute trips to the islands (Ooh)

Drip, drip, drip when you slide in (Ooh)

Fit, fit, fit, baby, right in (Ooh)

Don't hesitate when you (Ooh)

In it, 'cause you know I like it (Ooh)

Bakin' up a cake for you (Ooh)

Sweet, baby, like it when you bite it

**[Chorus: Normani]**

We can't just keep talkin' about it

We think too often about it

We can't just be cautious about it

I wanna get wild

Take me for a ride, boy

Show me your wild side, boy

Know it's been a while, boy

I wanna get wild

**[Verse 3: Cardi B]**

Look, dímelo, turn me 'round

Treat me like a watch, bust me down

On the kitchen floor, right on that towel

It's my dick and I want it now, ow

Tell me how you want it

Put me on my back, on my stomach

Baby, let me blow it like a trumpet

I can do it all, I can probably suck a watermelon through a straw

Believe me, every other day, new wig, new hair

Come take me out this Mugler

I be waitin' on you with some lingerie

Drive this pussy down low like bombs away

Boom, nothing but a robe in your house

I wanna put these pretty pink toes in your mouth

Send nudes to your phone while you workin'

Boy, you gotta see this shit in person, believe me

**[Chorus: Cardi B & *Normani*]**

We can't just keep talkin' about it

I want you comin' inside it (*Ooh*)

We can't just be cautious about it

I wanna get wild

*Take me for a ride, boy*

*Show me your wild side, boy*

*Know it's been a while, boy*

*I wanna get wild*

**[Outro: Normani & *Starrah*]**

*Pull up in a err, mmm, Benz*

*Make me say, "Ah," baby, do that shit again*

Ooh, yeah

*Pull up in a mmm-mmm, drop*

*Ha-ha-ha, yeah, I'm makin' shit hot*

Ooh, yeah

*Pull up in a err, mmm, Benz*

*Make me say, "Ah," baby, do that shit again*

Ooh, yeah (Ah)

*Pull up in a mmm-mmm, drop*

*Ha-ha-ha, yeah, I'm makin' shit hot*

Ooh, yeah

## References

1. ↑ *Vulture* - "Normani and Cardi B Are Naked and Unafraid in the 'Wild Side' Video"
2. ↑ *Pitchfork* - "Normani - "Wild Side" ft. Cardi B"
3. ↑ *Twitter* - "=="
4. ↑ *Genius* - "Normani Recruits Cardi B For Her New Single "Wild Side""
5. ↑ *Official Charts Company* - "Normani announces her first single in two years Wild Side featuring Cardi B"
6. ↑ *Clash Magazine* - "Normani's 'Wild Side' Samples Aaliyah"
7. ↑ *Genius* - "Aaliyah's Uncle Weighs In On Alleged Sample On Normani & Cardi B's "Wild Side""
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Revolt* - "Normani and Cardi B tap into their "Wild Side" in new single"
9. ↑ *21Ninety* - "Normani Opens Up About "Wild Side" Single And Music Saving Her Through Rough Times"
10. ↑ *People* - "Normani Says Working on 'Wild Side' While Her Mother Battles Breast Cancer 'Really Saved Me'"
11. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani Opens Up About Her Mom's Breast Cancer Battle and How 'Wild Side' Got Them Through the 'Darkest Time'"
12. ↑ *Billboard* - "Here's Why Normani Thinks Cardi B 'Manifested' Her 'Wild Side' Feature"
13. ↑ *Advocate* - "Cardi B Says 'White Twinks' On Social Media Are 'Disrespectful'"
14. ↑ *Teen Vogue* - "Normani Archives Entire Instagram Account, Prompting Fans to Think New Music Is Coming"
15. ↑ *WRMF* - "Normani archives all but two Instagram posts — but fans wonder, where is her new music?"
16. ↑ *Hot New Hip Hop* - "Cardi B Hypes Up "Secret" Announcement"
17. ↑ *Harpers BAZAAR* - "Finally, Normani Is Coming"
18. ↑ *Billboard* - "All the Cameos in Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP'"
19. ↑ *REVOLT* - "Cardi B says she made her "Wild Side" verse "nastier" after request from Normani's team"
20. ↑ *That Grape Juice* - "Normani Reps Say 'Wild Side' Has No 'One In a Million' Sample After Aaliyah's Uncle Says It Wasn't Cleared - ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. - Thirsty?"
21. ↑ *MTV* - "Normani And Cardi B's "Wild Side" Is Officially The Only Thing Getting Me Through Lockdown"
22. ↑ *Pitchfork* - "Listen to "Wild Side" ft. Cardi B by Normani"
23. ↑ *USA Today* - "Normani releases first single in over a year with steamy 'Wild Side' video featuring Cardi B"
24. ↑ *Grammy* - "8 Trends That Defined R&B In 2021"
25. ↑ *Billboard* - "The 15 Best Aaliyah Samples in Modern R&B/Hip-Hop"
26. ↑ *NBC Boston' - "Jordan Chiles Opens Up About Her Olympic Experience Ahead of Boston Tour Stop"*
27. ↑ *Billboard* - "Cardi B"
28. ↑ *Revolt* - "Normani's "Wild Side" featuring Cardi B debuts on Billboard Hot 100"
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 *Billboard* - "Normani & Cardi B Debut in Top Five on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart"
30. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "RS Charts: The Kid Laroi Holds at Number One With 'Stay'"
31. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani Kordei"
32. ↑ *Billboard* - "Cardi B"
33. ↑ *Rated R&B* - "Normani's 'Wild Side' Is Now Certified Gold"
34. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normaini Kordei"
35. ↑ *Rated R&B* - "Normani Scores First Top 10 on Urban Radio With 'Wild Side'"
36. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani Shows Her 'Wild Side' in New Airplay Arena: R&B/Hip-Hop"
37. ↑ *Rated R&B* - "Normani's 'Wild Side' Reaches No. 1 on Urban Radio"
38. ↑ *BrooklynVegan* - "Pandora reveals "Top Thumb Hundred" of 2021"
39. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani & Cardi B's 'Wild Side' Tops Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart"
40. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "Normani, Cardi B Showcase 'Wild Side' in New Video"
41. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani Gushes to Childhood Icon Ciara About Her Impact, Says Debut Album is 'Almost Done'"
42. ↑ *Harper's BAZAAR* - "Normani's "Wild Side" Music Video Is a Sensual Ode to the Golden Age of R&B"
43. ↑ *Dazed* - "All the best beauty looks from Normani and Cardi B's 'Wild Side' video"
44. ↑ *MIC.* - "Normani's "Wild Side" video is a stunning glimpse into her future as the queen of R&B"
45. ↑ *Twitter* - "VEVOmostwatched2021"
46. ↑ *NPR* - "Normani (Feat. Cardi B), 'Wild Side'"
47. ↑ *Los Angeles Times* - "When it comes to dancing, no one is doing it like Normani in 'Wild Side' video"
48. ↑ *New York Post* - "Normani and Cardi B get naked for 'Wild Side' video with an Aaliyah sample"
49. ↑ *Billboard* - "Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X & More Go 'Wild' for Normani & Cardi B Video: 'I Have Chills'"
50. ↑ *American Songwriter* - "Lil Nas X, Halle Berry, FKA Twigs And Millions More Flock To Normani And Cardi B's New Single "Wild Side""
51. ↑ *Nylon* - "Tanu Muino Is Bringing Pop's Wildest Music Video Dreams To Life"
52. ↑ *New York Times* - "Signature Moves With Sean Bankhead"
53. ↑ *Dazed* - "Normani breaks down her gravity-defying 'Wild Side' video shoot"
54. ↑ *Cosmopolitan* - "Your Attention Pls: These Are the Sexiest Music Videos of All. Damn. Time"
55. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "Why Queerbaiting Matters More Than Ever"
56. ↑ *LGBTQ Nation* - "Cardi B denounces the notion of "queerbaiting" in response to a Rolling Stone article"
57. ↑ *BuzzFeed* - "Cardi B Went On A Twitter Rant About Her Feelings Toward Queerbaiting, And She Raises Some Interesting Points"
58. ↑ *NME* - "Cardi B hits out at "queerbaiting" claims in 'Wild Side' video"
59. ↑ *Billboard* - "Anitta Accepts the #WildSideChallenge & Cardi B Approves"
60. ↑ *Billboard* - "Ciara Shows Russell Wilson Her 'Wild Side' With Steamy Dance to Normani Song: Watch"
61. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani & Cardi B's 'Wild Side' Inspires Impressive Pole Dance From FKA Twigs: Watch"
62. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "Megan Thee Stallion Shares New 'Tuned In Freestyle'"
63. ↑ *UPROXX* - "Megan Thee Stallion's 'Tuned In Freestyle' Address Her Watchful Haters"
64. ↑ *YouTube* - (aespa) 에스파 karina dancing to wild side by normani on knowing brothers(102321)
65. ↑ *Rap-Up* - "Bryson Tiller Drops 'Killer Instinct 2' Mixtape"
66. ↑ *Tracklist (in Brazilian Portuguese)* - "Normani responde à homenagem feita por Pocah durante o "Bloco da Lexa""
67. ↑ *Vulture* - "Normani and Teyana Taylor Left the VMAs Stunned With 'Wild Side' Cameo"
68. ↑ *Billboard* - "Normani to Perform at 2021 MTV Video Music Awards After Fans Petition"
69. ↑ *Harper's BAZAAR* - "Normani Brought Her "Wild Side" to the 2021 VMAs"
70. ↑ *Yahoo* - "Here's how Black artists dominated 2021 VMAs"
71. ↑ *Yahoo* - "I'm Gonna Need Several Business Days to Recover From Normani's Sultry VMAs Performance"
72. ↑ *ELLE* - "Normani and Teyana Taylor at the VMAs Will Live in My Head Rent-Free for a Long Time"
73. ↑ *Jezebel* - "Fights, Normani, and Megan Fox's Dress Were the Real VMA Winners"
74. ↑ *Pitchfork* - "The 7 Best and Worst Parts of the 2021 MTV VMAs"
75. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "VMAs 2021: MTV Parties Like a Damn Sociopath"
76. ↑ *Deadline* - "MTV VMAs Dip In Demo Rating, Rise In Total Minutes Consumed From Previous Year With Return To Barclays"
77. ↑ *New York Post* - "Dave Portnoy says Normani's MTV VMAs 'face f–k' is a double standard"
78. ↑ *TMZ* - "Madonna, Teyana Taylor, Normani Trigger FCC Complaints Over VMA Performances"
79. ↑ *Hypebeast* - "Nas, Normani and More To Perform During Rihanna's 'Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3'"
80. ↑ *Entertainment Tonight* - "Normani, Ricky Martin and More Performances From Rihanna's 'Savage X Fenty Vol. 3'"
81. ↑ *Elle* - "Once Again, Normani Blows Us Away With Her Savage X Fenty Performance"