Normani and Cardi B leave nothing to the imagination in their brief, but sizzling collab scene in the visual for ‘Mani’s new single, “Wild Side.” The Tanu Muino-directed clip is yet another dancing showcase for the former Fifth Harmony member, who slides from one futuristic set to the next in a series of revealing outfits.
The visual for the slow-burn ballad opens with Normani striking seductive poses in a red velvet lounge while wearing a body suit that is more cutout than suit as she coos, “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/ Load it up and doo-doo-doo/ Baby, what you wanna do?”
Things go a bit sideways in the second setup, in which Normani rocks a micro-mini purple dress as shirtless male dancers in green silk pants slide up, down and sideways around her, seemingly defying the laws of physics thanks to “Motivation” choreographer Sean Bankhead’s gravity-defying steps. Without getting too comfortable, director Muino quick-cuts to another dark red location, where Normani and six female backup dancers bust some moves in a club.
The team then beams into a futuristic city — after changing into strappy black leather outfits — for an acrobatic, Janet Jackson-esque routine before Normani briefly pops into a vintage helicopter cockpit in an elegant leopard-print catsuit and matching hat. There’s no time to waste, as the sixth quick-change creeps up, landing the singer in an infinity mirror room wearing nothing but glittery pasties over her private bits while doing a seductive gymnastic floor routine with her doppelgänger.
Then it’s Cardi time, and you better believe things get steamy. “Look, dímelo, turn me ’round/ Treat me like a watch, bust me down/ On the kitchen floor, right on that towel/ It’s my d— and I want it now, ow/ Tell me how you want it/ Put me on my back or my stomach/ Baby, let me blow it like a trumpet/ I can do it all, I can prolly suck a watermelon through a straw,” Cardi raps while hugging a chain in the raw.
Soon enough, a naked Normani slides in and the two women embrace in nothing but long wigs covering their exposed bodies on a green, fountain-like set that lets loose a shower of water on them as the setting shifts one other time. In the final piece, Normani is dressed in gauzy, opaque white pants and bikini top as the video’s earlier looks are quickly revisited.
“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. “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.”
The exciting collab comes nearly one year after Normani appeared in the music video for Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “WAP.” “Wild Side” comes after Normani’s 2019 solo single “Motivation” and a 2020 remix featuring 21 Savage. The original tune was a top 40 Hot 100 hit, peaking at No. 33 on the chart in August 2019. Marking Normani’s first solo appearance on the Hot 100, “Motivation” charted for 10 weeks.
Watch the “Wild Side” video below.
