Ciara's seventh studio album, Beauty Marks, was released on May 10, 2019, through her independent record label, Beauty Marks Entertainment. In July 2022, it was announced that Ciara had signed a new partnership between Beauty Marks Entertainment and major labels, Republic Records and Uptown Records, under which she would release her eighth studio album. Through the joint venture, Ciara released the singles, "Jump" (featuring Coast Contra) and "Better Thangs" (featuring Summer Walker), in July and September 2022. However, her next single, "Da Girls", was released solely through her label in March 2023.[3]
On August 2, 2023, Ciara announced the release of the single, "How We Roll" (with Chris Brown); on August 4, 2023, Ciara announced that she would be releasing the EP CiCi on August 18, with "How We Roll" as its first track.[4] She premiered the tracklist on August 11, 2023, revealing that Lil Baby and Big Freedia would also feature on the EP.[5]
Composition
In an interview with Rated R&B, Ciara shared: "There's always an intentional tone of empowerment in my music [...] I always want to uplift my Queens and take them on my journey with me. There's no better platform to be able to accomplish that than through my music."[6] The album's opening track, "How We Roll", is a collaboration with Chris Brown and "finds the pair expressing their affection for each other over a laidback and groovy beat." The second track, "BRB", is a "nod to Jersey club bounce", featuring "fast-paced rhythm and kick drums"; the song finds Ciara singing about missing her significant other. Apple Music described "Type a Party", "Forever" and "2 in Luv" as traditional R&B and "Low Key" and "Winning" as uptempo.[7]
Singles
On August 4, 2023, Ciara released the single "How We Roll", in collaboration with Chris Brown.[8] A remix, featuring rapper Lil Wayne, was released on November 3, 2023.[9][10]
On August 18, 2023, Ciara released a music video for "Forever", the EP's second single, featuring Lil Baby.[11] The video was directed by Taj and Dre.[12]
