Ciara and Summer Walker did not miss with their new video for “Better Thangs,” directed by Mia Barnes.
In the aesthetically-pleasing video, the two multi-platinum superstars favor ’90s beauty looks that define an era when Black women set a new bar for fashion, jewelry and hair — as they continue to do today.
A steamy hot Ciara kicks off the video, bridging bougie and hood styles together for an iconic scene.
It then flips to her and Walker, separately decked out in green and orange-colored robes and matching head towel wraps, for a relaxing day on the back lawn.
Barnes runs more bombastic shots throughout the visual, including a dance scene featuring two Black pregnant women full of stamina.
In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, Ciara shared the vision behind the new video.
“In this video, you feel the ultimate girl vibes with us. We’re having a good time. We’re laughing. You can feel the empowerment of us. There’s other girls in the video, too, as far as dancers and all that good stuff. So you just feel the power of all of us,” said Ciara.
“Better Thangs” is Ciara’s recent single and her second-time working with Walker. She recorded “Ciara’s Prayer,” the outro for Walker’s sophomore album Still Over It.
“I have so much respect for my girl Summer and it’s fitting to have her on the record because we connect on so many levels, from where we come from, to our journeys and our mission to inspire other people to go after what they deserve in life…better thangs,” shared Ciara in a statement.
“Better Thangs” will appear on Ciara’s forthcoming eighth album, which will be released under her new record deal.
“I am thrilled to partner with Uptown/Republic Records through my own label imprint Beauty Marks Entertainment,” Ciara said. “Wendy [Goldstein] and I have been in discussion to work together for some time and the enthusiasm that her and the entire team have expressed over this new project marks an exciting new chapter in my career. I am grateful to be able to continue my mission of making the world dance with a team I admire, who are at the forefront of empowering artists.”
Ciara’s untitled album, the follow-up to 2019’s Beauty Marks, will also include her comeback single, “Jump,” which was released on July 8. The Coast Contra-featured track debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart.
Also, in her interview with Lowe, Ciara compares her upcoming album to her 2004 Goodies debut.
“I got a super R&B, hardcore R&B in the center of this album,” she shared.
“Honestly, and I really mean this, my first album to me was my best album of my whole journey. I feel like this album has taken me right there where that album was, energetic, energy-wise tonality, the R&B core that’s in this record. Again, I always want to make the world move. I want to make the world dance. It’s always my thing. But there’s something about this record that just feels complete. I was intentional with this album. And I’m going to tell you guys, there’s some really, really fun treats and surprises. The fans have asked for a few things over the years, and they’re going to get what they wanted with this album.”
Ciara’s previous album, Beauty Marks, was released in May 2019 via her Beauty Marks Entertainment imprint. It featured the platinum-selling “Level Up,” as well as “Greatest Love” and “Girl Gang” featuring Kelly Rowland.
Watch Ciara and Summer Walker’s “Better Thangs” video below.