Since its release two and a half weeks ago, "Whip My Hair"—the runaway hit single by nine-year-old show-biz progeny Willow Smith—has become one of the most-analyzed songs in pop music history. Many have attempted to dissect the song's deceptively simple lyrics and wondered, "What does it all mean?" Reflection on the existential plight of man? Tribute to the recently rescued Chilean mine workers? Or a mere paean to the simple joy of whipping one's hair back and forth?
And now the pre-teen daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith has finally broken her silence on the topic, revealing the true story behind the song to a grateful nation. As Willow tells MTV, the song is a heartfelt salute to the power of individuality:.
"'Whip My Hair' means don't be afraid to be yourself, and don't let anybody tell you that that's wrong. Because the best thing is you."
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Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" has been a hit with online audiences, getting nearly four million views on You Tube's music channel Vevo, in just four days.
Other than a catchy hook, they video's fashion has some buzzing. Now the hairstylist responsible explains the key looks to People. “Creating the ‘Heart Hawk’ was a bit of a challenge," Marcia Hamilton tells the magazine. "But after tons of individual braids and many sticks of glue, I did it.”
Hamilton says that the stunning looks weren't just a solo effort on her part, saying, "These looks were a collaborative effort between Willow, Jada, Fawn Boardley and myself,” she says.The daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith stars in the colorful video whipping her hair and joining in a group of kids dancing. The song sent bloggers and critics buzzing with delight when it was released in September. “Don't let her age fool you; the song packs serious punch,” said one Los Angeles Times writer at the time.
Willow isn’t the first of the Smith kids to venture into music. Her older brother, Jaden, rapped with Justin Bieberon a song featured on the Karate Kid soundtrack. Jaden Smith also starred in the film, which quickly became one of the biggest box office success stories of the summer.
Like the rest of her family, Willow Smith won’t be stopping at just music. She’s already begun her acting career - which has included roles alongside her father in his hit I Am Legend, vocal work alongside her mother inMadagascar 2, and a small role in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.
“I really enjoyed every step of the creative process," Hamilton told People. She adds she "was thrilled to see it all come to life on Willow!”
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