HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Willow Smith, the 9-year-old daughter of Hollywood heavyweights Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, has signed a record deal with Jay-Z and her debut single, "Whip My Hair," is fast becoming a YouTube hit.
During an appearance on Ryan Seacrest’s KISS-FM radio show, Jay-Z said he had big plans for the youngest Smith sibling, who he quickly signed to his Roc Nation label after hearing her catchy "Whip My Hair" tune.
"I heard the record before I knew that it was recorded by a 9-year-old and I was like, man that record’s a smash," the music mogul said Thursday. "I believe in superstars. I believe in big records and superstars and I think she has both."
Jay-Z also compared Willow to Michael Jackson, saying he was struck by her natural confidence the first time they met.
"I don’t want to go so far, but I can imagine that’s how Mike [Jackson] was as a young kid — he knew exactly what he wanted," he explained. "I believe that you have to start somewhere, and when you have that sort of talent and vision, there’s no such thing as too young. Again, I heard the record without knowing who it was. … We all danced to Michael Jackson records when he was 8. Stevie Wonder started at 8, it’s just what it is, who she is."
Willow is planning to shoot her debut video by the end of the month. She told Seacrest that she developed her confidence by listening to her mom.
"My mom teaches me to say how I feel all the time," she said. "My mom and me are very strong individuals and I just know that, because lots of people, they don’t act like themselves, so they’re not happy."
Also see: Willow Smith Pictures
Listen to Willow Smith’s "Whip My Hair" below:
