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Ciara, aka Cici, released her 8th studio album on August 22, 2025, 21 years after her record-breaking entry into the music scene with her first chart-topping hit, “Goodies” in 2004. Her new album, “Cici,” is the first album under her own independent label, founded in 2017, Beauty Marks Entertainment.

In June 2022, it became a joint-venture contract between Republic Records and Uptown Records, and now owns all of her own masters to all her music. Not only release a new album, but she also launched her first dance studio in Atlanta inside the John H. Harland Boys & Girls Club in the city’s West End, and turned July 28th into Ciara Day. The dance studio is part of her Why Not You Foundation to provide a safe space for inner city youth. She plans to open three more studios in the area.

Now, she moved to New York, and she came to speak to her A21s, which she calls her fans who have been following her music journey since day one, at National Sawdust & Grammy Museum in Brooklyn with A New York Evening with Ciara with moderator Content Creator and Producer J’na Jefferson (IG@jnajefferson).

On Friday, September 5th, 2025, Cici came to National Sawdust in the futuristic white media room and sat down with her A21s and Jefferson to discuss the big changes in her life, tease upcoming projects, and her new album and the meaning of being a boss and a new independent artist. DJ Jash Jay (IG@thejashjay) was there spinning all over Ciara’s hits over the last 21 years.

Ciara has had a multitude of achievements since her debut in 2004. She has sold over 23 million records and 30 million singles worldwide. She has won the NAACP Award for her role as Nettie in the 2023 adaptation film of The Color Purple. She is the CEO and founder of Beauty Mark Entertainment (BME). She has entered the beauty world with her own skincare line, OAM (On A Mission), and perfume/cologne line with her husband, Russel, LR&C, and her own rum line, Ten to One. She is also now a New York Times Bestselling Author with her children’s book “Why Not You.” All the profits from tonight’s event will be given to The Grammys Schools Education Program and Public Program, and is supported by the Dawn and Brian Hoesterey Family Foundation.

The event started with an introduction from the Grammy Museum on Ciara’s extensive career in music, beauty, technology, and philanthropy. Ciara and Jefferson sit down for an intimate conversation on her rise to fame, her life as an artist and mother, and her upcoming plans for her new album and moving to New York.

“It’s like being in a movie!” said Ciara on living in New York for the first time with her husband, NFL New York Giants Quarterback Russell Wilson, and her four children: Future Wilson, Sienna Wilson, Win Wilson, and Amora Wilson.

“I came here in the past for performances, but to come here to live, it is a totally different vibe,” said Ciara. “The people are amazing, and it’s non-stop and really is the city that never sleeps. I see New York through a different lens. The New York backdrop is so special! It’s going to be a big culture shift, especially for my kids. I am from Atlanta, and New York has such grit, and my kids can get some toughness that is here. We came here because of football and Russell, but New York has brought us exciting and beautiful things!” she said.

Jefferson moved the conversation on Ciara’s new independent album, “Cici,” and how she balances her career with motherhood. This is Ciara’s first album as a mother of four.
“More is better,” said Ciara. “It shows me that you can do it all. It takes a lot of work, and I was really tired, I’m not going to lie, and there is a lot of sacrificing, but it’s all worth it. She said.
“I think on my journey as an independent artist and running my own label is double the workload, but it’s showing me that I can do it, and you just have to put one foot forward after another. This album showed me that drive and album is in me, and I’m hungry, and that’s the girl I am.”

The next topic is that Ciara became a citizen of Benin in West Africa as of July 2025. “First, I am proud to be Beninese,: said Ciara. “ There is something so special about Africa. I want to collaborate and appreciate the music, culture, food, and people in Africa. There’s something special going on!” she said. “It is such a special place and experience!

The next topic was Ciara and what she learned from all the artists she worked with in the last two years. Some of these artists include Rapper Busta Rhymes. Pop Singer Justin Timberlake, Rapper Lil’ Wayne, and Rapper Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot. “The one thing I learned from all the artists that I work with is commit to being you!” said Ciara. “Be true to who you are and carve out your own lane and be your best. Missy is the best example of that. She is like a sister to me! I am still mesmerized by her! She is so cool and different, and there is no one like her!” she said. “Run your own race, at your pace!” she said.

Jefferson then asked the next question about Ciara’s dream collaboration. “I’ve been learning a lot of Spanish, and I would love to work with Bad Bunny or Karol G!” The crowd cheered, and she continued, “I love him, and I want to do something in the Latin culture, and I like to step outside my comfort zone and outside my wellness!” she said.

Jefferson asked what she did before music to motivate her to go into the music industry. “Dream big!” said Ciara. “I grew up an only child, and dreaming was the only thing I had. It is very surreal, and I appreciate everything I have, and I get to get up every day and do what I love. I say, where you were born doesn’t determine how far you will go!” she said. “Faith is believing in what you don’t see.”

Jefferson then asked, Is there anything your current self-wish could tell your younger self? “Just be patient!” said Ciara. “When you’re young, you want everything to happen at once. I would tell my younger self, Just be patient, little one. Everything will happen for you when it is supposed to. I would tell myself, stay the course,” she said

Jefferson then asked what’s next for the R&B singer and where her ambitions will take her next. “We are the thick of the Cici era! I do have plans to do a global tour, and that conversation is in the works. Russell and Russel have our Why Not You Foundation, and we have our first feature film with Amazon Studios coming out on November 7th called Sarah’s Oil. It is a film about the true story of a fearless 11-year-old Black girl named Sarah Rector who was the first millionaire. I am just getting started!” she said

The next part of the conversation was the Q&A with the audience. Hiding in the back, Ciara’s husband, Russel Wilson, made a surprised appearance. He asked about his favorite song, “Ride,” and when “Cinco” (meaning a possible 5th child) will be coming. Ciara fell over with laughter and responded, “Oh, Lawd! Cinco will come, and God gives us Cinco!”

The next question from the audience is how she balances her career and motherhood. “Balance may not be a realistic thing, and it’s hard sometimes to do it all. The greatest thing that I think allows me to make everything work is commitment. I find a way to be there and my gratitude,” she said.

Another question, asked by the audience, is how she handles stress in her daily life. She responded, “Sometimes, you need to stop and just be still,” she said. “Just pause and speak positive things into your life.”

The conversation went into intermission, and then Ciara took the stage and performed her new song off her new album “Low” featuring Diamond Plantumz, which was a fan favorite, and “How We Roll” featuring R&B singer Chris Brown. For her A21s, she performed her classics like “Goodies” and “Level Up”, which brought the audience to tears and shook the floor. She made an official announcement that “Level Up” is officially Certified Triple Platinum.

The crowd roared, and Ciara took a moment to speak to her loving fans, “You guys mean something to me!” she said. “You are special to me! You are my reason why, and I love you guys so much, and I want to thank you all. You guys mean the world to me! Shout out for my team, and I am so grateful for everything!”