Ciara is back, and honestly, she didn't just drop a song—she dropped a whole mood for the city that raised her. If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you've probably seen the "This Right Here" dance challenges starting to bubble up, but there’s a lot more to this track than just a catchy hook and a viral 15-second clip.
It’s been a minute since we saw CiCi really lean into that classic Atlanta sound that made her a household name in the early 2000s. Released on July 28, 2025—which, if you're keeping track, is officially "Ciara Day" in Atlanta—This Right Here feels like a full-circle moment. Teaming up with Latto and her longtime hit-maker Jazze Pha, Ciara basically crafted a sonic bridge between the "Goodies" era and the modern trap-pop dominance of today.
People are calling it the song of the summer, and for once, the hype actually matches the energy.
This Right Here and the Return of the Jazze Pha Magic
You can’t talk about this track without mentioning that signature "Ladies and gentlemen!" intro. Hearing Jazze Pha’s voice at the start of a Ciara record feels like a warm hug for anyone who grew up on 1, 2 Step. It’s nostalgic but doesn't feel dusty.
The production on This Right Here is crisp. It’s got those heavy 808s that demand a car with a decent subwoofer, yet it retains a melodic sweetness that keeps it firmly in the R&B-pop lane. Ciara has been vocal about how much this specific collaboration meant to her. She told People magazine at the 2025 TikTok Awards that she’s been "manifesting" this kind of hometown synergy for years.
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Why Latto was the only choice
Latto brings a grit that balances Ciara's airy, effortless vocals. In her verse, Latto name-checks Magic City and references "Freaknik," instantly grounding the track in authentic ATL culture. It’s not just a feature for the sake of a chart boost; it’s two generations of Atlanta royalty "spending their savings in the club," as the lyrics suggest.
The chemistry works because they aren't trying to out-sing or out-rap each other. They’re just having a blast. You can hear it in the ad-libs.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ciara’s Independence
There’s this weird misconception that because Ciara isn't on a major "Big Three" label anymore, she’s somehow less influential. That couldn't be further from the truth. This Right Here was released under her own imprint, Beauty Marks Entertainment.
Operating independently since 2017 has changed her trajectory.
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- Creative Control: She isn't chasing trends; she's setting them.
- Ownership: She owns her masters, which is why you see her music everywhere from Peloton playlists to Super Bowl commercials.
- Longevity: She’s 40 now and sounds more confident than she did at 20.
Most artists would struggle to stay relevant after two decades, but Ciara has mastered the art of the "re-trend." She joked with reporters recently that she sees teenagers discovering "Get Up" for the first time on social media and just has to laugh. "Where you been at?" she asked. But honestly, that’s the power of her catalog.
The CiCi Album: More Than Just One Single
While This Right Here is the standout, it’s actually part of her eighth studio album, CiCi, which dropped in August 2025. The album took five years to build. Five years! That’s a lifetime in the streaming era where some rappers drop three projects a year.
The record is a "love letter" to her fans, the Day 1s and the Day 21s. It includes other heavy hitters like the "Ecstasy" remix with Normani and Teyana Taylor. But This Right Here serves as the anchor. It’s the "adrenaline-charged confidence" booster that the album needed to bridge the gap between her R&B roots and her dance-floor future.
Deep ties to the community
It wasn't just about the music last year. When the song dropped, Ciara was busy opening the second "Why Not You Center" in Atlanta with her husband, Russell Wilson. They’re partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to actually put resources back into the neighborhoods the song celebrates. It’s hard to call a song "authentic" if the artist isn't showing up for the people, and Ciara is definitely showing up.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Tour
So, what’s next? The big news is the 2026 tour.
Ciara hasn't done a massive headlining tour since 2015. Over ten years! During her interview at the TikTok Awards in December 2025, she confirmed she’s manifesting "more zeros" and a return to the road. For fans who have been waiting a decade to see her do the "Level Up" choreography live, 2026 is looking like the year.
She’s at a point in her career where she doesn't have to prove anything, which ironically makes the music better. There’s no desperation in This Right Here. It’s just a "sugar hit" of pure pop-rap excellence.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start practicing that "This Right Here" choreography now. The song is designed for the stage, and based on the early reception, it's going to be the centerpiece of her 2026 setlist. Keep an eye on her Beauty Marks Entertainment socials for the official tour routing, which is expected to lean heavily into East Coast and Southern dates first.
Start by revisiting the CiCi deluxe album to catch the subtle nuances Jazze Pha tucked into the production—it’s a masterclass in R&B layering that sounds even better on high-fidelity headphones than it does on a phone speaker.