Willow Smith, the nine-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, recently spoke with Ryan Seacrest on his morning radio show about the release of her debut single “Whip My Hair” 
and signing to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. She said that the publicity she’s been receiving has been an overwhelming experience, especially given her age.
“It’s very, very amazing and it’s very overwhelming,” she said. “All of the red carpet and the [cameras] flash[ing] and all the people wanting to meet you, it’s very, very, very overwhelming for a nine-year-old…I never really get to go to school because I’m always on tour or with my father or [my brother] Jayden is doing something.” (RapRadar.com)
Smith also explained the meaning behind her single “Whip My Hair.” According to her, the song is about maintaining one’s individuality by any means necessary. She told Seacrest that her mother actress Jada Pinkett Smith instilled these values in her at a very young age.
“[‘Whip My Hair’] means just be an individual,” she explained. “You can’t be afraid to be yourself…and you can’t let anybody tell you that’s wrong…my mom and me are very strong individuals and i just know that [being yourself is important] because lots of people don’t act like themselves, so they’re not happy.” (RapRadar.com)
During the interview, Jay-Z called in to discuss the details of signing Smith to his Roc Nation imprint. According to Hov, he recognize the hit potential of “Whip My Hair” even before he realized that Willow was only nine. After a chance meeting with her in Japan, Jay explained that he knew instantly that Smith would become a super star.
“I heard the record first before I knew that it was recorded a nine-year-old, and I was like ‘Man, that record’s a smash,'” he said. “[I was told that she was] nine and I was like ‘Whoa,’ [but then I found out she was Will Smith’s] daughter and I was like ‘Whoa, whoa!’ It just went from there. So then I went to Japan to do some stuff, and [the Smith family] was out there in Japan, and I met Willow and the first thing she said was, ‘I’m really nervous.’ I thought that maturity to explain exactly how she’s feeling as she walked in the room, I knew right then that she was a star. I believe in big records on super stars, and i think she’s got both.” (RapRadar.com)
1st reaction was like what then I went not cool, what is Jay thinking? Never heard the song, and why will & jada letting their child pursue this? This don’t look good at all.
haha wow, she looks just like her dad.
Why does jay-z not do something for hiphop? Sign some new talented artists but no he signs the daughter of will smith. What is the next move a jay-Z/Justin Bieber album! You suck Jay!
J. Cole…..
why cant you bitter street-hop dudes just let it go. the dudes leading a serious record label, he needs variety on his rostor. you guys are still sittin around bitchin bout what jay’s doin for the hood. here’s a better question what’s the hood doin for themselves?
I just listened to the record and remained open minded, First off not too bad. Nice catchy beat, I can’t understand what she’s really saying lyrically. I understand the meaning of the song sort of on the India Irie tip with “I am not my hair” I get it. However, I have a hard time believing Jay Z didnt know this was Will and Jada’s kid and how they “Accidentally” are in Japan at the same time? C’mon son. She got on cuz her mom and dad are rich and famous and know people. It’s all good though, I aint hatin. The song will be a smash with the young teeny boopers and that’s who its meant for…so mission accomplished. Good Job Willow!
ANybody else uncomfortable with the idea of 9yr olds being signed to record labels?
There aren’t too many well adjusted child stars out there. Look at Michael Jackson, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears etc.
Let the kids be kids!!!!! If they are talented, nurture the talent before you unleash them into the world.
What happens if she has a successful album, single, tour etc. by the age of 10 and then at 13 she completely flops? Will she be able to handle that?
she would have signed a special deal with probably fresh prince being part of it. i doubt it was a 360 deal. lol
Luzh got a good point.
I agree…
Raven-Symone was 5 when she first got signed for a record deal. Yeah, she flopped until Disney started pubbing her stuff, but now she’s ballerific.
who got the record deal willow or her hair?
will pimpin his kids out already! lol -seriously the hair and the look- try hard shit
smh. I bet Jay promote her more than J. Cole
Offcourse, she got more star quaily about her, J.COLE A great rapper, but he doesnt have that it factor, and he cant sell large amout of records, now wills daughter can, lil kids nawadayz are takeover music, Hiphop is mostly control by children nawadayz and pop music, lil kids like Lil Wayne,lil kids like justin bieber(grown people also like him too).
She sounds like a younger Rihanna yo!
mini-rihanna?
the comment section would be different if this was lil wayne/cashmoney signing her
I’m not even hating because she sounds alright on this, doesn’t sound 9 to be honest. I just think it’s getting really bad now… Not saying kids shouldn’t be allowed into the music industry and all that, if they got talent, like she does, then sure. But Nine? That’s a lil young…
But whatever yo, as long as they got talent and make good music age doesn’t matter
Jay-z’s gnna fuck up her young career like he fucked many others up
Like Rihanna’s? :/
Don’t you guys see it? This is the beginning of the latest trend; Justin Bieber, that Home Alone lookin’ kid that did the song with Flo Rida, this is the next step the industry is trying to take.
It went from men, to including the women and now the children. The business is setting a new stage of marketing/gimmicks that’s going to generate millions. Willow signing with Jay-Z isn’t a bad thing. Think about it, he can’t say 50’s the new 40, dudes getting old, he needs to make sure his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren are set for life once he’s not here anymore. Jay-Z was once just an artist but now a business man. He knows what he’s doing with his money, he’s laying the foundation for generations to come.
I’m 21 now but if she gets steered into the right direction she’ll be big by the time 31.
I sincerely thought she was Doug E. Fresh
never said anything bad bout Will Smith always respected dude as a talent and intellect but dude just fucked up n made a dumb decision, I honestly thought he was more intelligent than that.
How you even gonna bring Will into this? What he do wrong? Support his daughters talents and interests?
Wish I could hear the vocal tracks without autotune…This would be a whole different story. Any kid with an ok voice can do the same monotone singing plus autotune. Add will smith as ur father though and its all over the web.
Can’t wait for Beanie to make a diss track towards Jay and Willow now.
question? why the media and people always sleeping on Jada skills….im just saying is not all will’s doing
Lol that label’s a graveyard anyway…nothing’s gonna happen for her there.