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Ciara returns with a new studio album after a 6-year hiatus! In an exclusive interview with my cousin Sam’s blog, That Grape Juice, in London, the superstar opened up about her eighth studio album, titled CiCi.

Set for release on August 22 in America (July 11 in the UK), the eagerly anticipated project will be on the GRAMMY winner’s own record label, Beauty Marks Entertainment.

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The mom-of-four told Sam what listeners can expect from the new project. She also dished about going on tour, taking charge as an independent artist, and much more.

Ciara was a little under the weather. But she powered through the interview and gave her U.S. fans a little taste of what they can expect in August!

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The “1, 2 Step” singer gushed about performing in London recently. “That was really fun, being out there in front of 20,000+ people, smiling so big here in London,” she said. “It was quite the scene, it was a night I will never forget.”

Ciara, 39, said she chose to release her new album independently because she was “exhausted” with the traditional way of releasing albums through a major record label.

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“It was just time for me to level up – pun intended, right?” she joked. Ciara said she prefers not to fight through a major record label’s resistance to her ideas.

She commented on owning her recording masters. “It’s an empowering feeling owning my masters. I asked for my masters back and they gave them to me for free,” she said.

“That lets you know how much they didn’t believe [in me], but I’m so glad I never stopped believing … in myself. And I’m also so glad that my fans never stopped believing,” she added.

CiCi said her new album is a thank you to her “fans for their unwavering love and support.”

She attended the 2025 BET Awards on June 9. According to Red Carpet Fashion Awards, CiCi wore a black Cong Tri Fall 2025 lacquer silk shirt and taffeta fringe skirt with a black train.

She accessorized with a plethora of bling jewelry and an Atlanta Braves ball cap with an “A” bedazzled in Swarovski crystals, and a pair of strappy black heels.

Watch Ciara’s interview below!

YouTube video