After 10-year old Willow Smith released her breakout hit single “Whip My Hair” back in October, the world waited on baited breath to see just what the pint-size daughter of Hollywood power couple Will & Jada Pinkett-Smith would do next. Well, the answer is here and it’s a new song AND it’s hot.
Produced by Twin & Alke, “21st Century Girl” was released last week on iTunes following the incredibly successful Fall debut of Willow’s first single “Whip My Hair.” It would have been easy to discount Willow Smith as a flash-in-the-pan one hit wonder but if you took the time to actually listen to Willow sing (especially in live performances) then you know that this girl has talent up the WAZOO. Of course, you would have been stupid to completely disregard her pedigree, I mean HELLO! Will Smith. Jada Pinkett-Smith. Jaden Smith? Not only that, but “Whip My Hair” is a certified hit, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #2 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Obviously Willow’s got to have talent, but I don’t think I was expecting her to have as much as she does. Girl can sing! Sure, there’s room to grow but give the girl a break! She’s only 10 years old.
It frustrates me that people I’ve played the new single for aren’t loving it as much as I am. I think they were expecting something as infectious as “Whip My Hair,” and were disappointed. While I agree that “21st Century Girl” isn’t as catchy as it’s predecessor, I think it’s a worthy follow up. In the Rich Lee-directed music video, which premiered yesterday on VEVO, Willow shows us what she’s got both vocally and in the moves department. Girl can really dance! Rich Lee knows what he’s doing, as evidenced in his past work with Fergie, Jesse McCartney, The Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger and future work with Britney Spears on her forthcoming video for “Till The World Ends.” The “21st Century Girl” video is a fun, colorful and high energy (despite the weird intro scene involving an old woman and some bones in the desert) romp through time, starring Willow Smith as the eponymous 21st Century Girl. Whatever happens with this single, I think Willow Smith is here to stay. Look out for her debut album due out later this year on Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation label. Download the new single, which Billboard calls a “forward-thinking piece of electro-pop” on iTunes HERE.