After setting the internet ablaze with a snippet of “Da Girls,” Ciara has released the song in its entirety via her Beauty Marks Entertainment imprint. It was produced by Derrick Milano, OG Parker, Romano, tenroc and Mike Woods.
Timed perfectly for Women’s History Month, “Da Girls” is a syrupy, bass-heavy track filled with affirming lyrics meant to uplift and celebrate women, instead of denigrating them.
“Get that money, sis / Keep them on they tip / They be tryna press you but you ain’t pressed on it / I’m way too fine to be inside, I’m outside / Having my own sh*t, booking my own trips / Don’t ever let ‘еm disrespect you and call you out your name,” Ciara sings in the first verse.
She trades her signature buttery smooth vocals for a rap-like cadence in the playfully braggadocious second verse: “I’m bad and paid, I move like the n**gas move / I got foreigns, chains too / It ain’t really nothing that I can’t do.”
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Regarding her new song, Ciara says, “‘Da Girls’ is a female empowerment anthem that celebrates the strength and resiliency of women all over the world. It speaks life into the endless possibilities of a woman on a mission.”
Ciara pairs her new song release with an official video directed by Sara Lacombe, with creative direction from her longtime collaborator Jamaica Craft.
“I wanted an all-female team for this video to capture the energy and joy of when girls come together and have a good time. This is how I am with MY girls,” explains Ciara.
“Da Girls” is Ciara’s first song release of the year. It’s the follow-up to her 2022 singles “JUMP” and “Better Thangs” with Summer Walker.
The former track, which features hip-hop group Coast Contra, opened at No. 4 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart. The latter song was released in early fall, with a GloRilla-assisted remix that followed toward the end of the year.
It’s unclear if “Da Girls” is an official single from Ciara’s highly anticipated eighth studio album, or if it’s a standalone track.
Ciara first teased “Da Girls” in February by posting a clip on social media of her singing along to it in the studio. It didn’t take long for it to stir up a debate online. Some critics questioned the authenticity of the one-minute snippet, claiming Ciara was trying to promote an independent woman lifestyle while married.
She addressed the trivial backlash in a recent interview with Essence. “The thing that I love about my husband is that he speaks life into my independence,” stated Ciara. “Before I came into his life, he knew who I was. And he’s always respected that from day one.”
Stream Ciara’s new song “Da Girls” below.