Willow - ARDIPTHECUS

'That's what art is, shocking people. Sometimes shocking yourself.'- Willow, NY Times.

When you hear the name Willow Smith, I expect that your first thought is of her A list family or of a younger version of her topping the charts with 'Whip My Hair' in 2011. If she fell off your radar since then, you're definitely missing out.


I first rediscovered Willow on Soundcloud a while back. I heard one of her tracks 'Female Energy' and instantly fell in love with her style.

It's the clear that she has came a long way in terms of her creativity since the 'Whip My Hair' days and you can hear the intelligence in her lyrics. For being only 15, she is definitely wise beyond her years.
In an interview with the New York Times she described her writing process as being moved by the beat or thinking of a concept and elaborating on that, she 'pieces together those little moments of inspiration'.

'I just want to make music so that I can raise the consciousness level on this planet. Let's all come together in light, love and harmony through oneness with ourselves and All That Is.' is the opening line of her Soundcloud page. To me, Willows music is more than just that, its about making a statement. The themes in her music and not always light hearted, she has referenced chem trails, the government and truths. Its clear that her intention is to make people think, to quote her song 8 'Take the money, take the fame, all I want is truth'.
She is still active on her Soundcloud so check out some of her more recent tracks HERE.

Willow released a three track EP '3' in 2014. It featured a collaboration with up-and-coming artist SZA, who recently appeared on a track for Rihanna's latest album. Personally I feel that this EP did not get the recognition that is deserved. Jason Lipshutz for Billboard.com summed up why perfectly 'Their music (Willow and Jaden) is largely viewed as a byproduct of their eccentric lifestyles, unrefined rants of overly confident teenagers'. But I don't see their music as this, if you really listen to their songs you can feel that it isn't just ramblings of privileged and bored kids, there is meaning behind their words.

Aside from her music, Willow is a known activist, supporting rights to self expression and individuality. She caused controversy when posting this image to Instagram in support of the #freethenipple movement.

She had earlier tweeted,

'When did the women's body start being something to hide? #freethenipple'.

Willow is one of the few young celebrities who uses their status and influence to speak out on relevant social issues such as feminism and body positivity.

Most recently, Willow released a 15 track album titled 'ARDIPTHECUS'. Her newest music reminds me of artists like FKA twigs and Jhene Aiko, whilst still remaining artistically individual. My favourite songs from the album would have to be 'dRuGz', 'Wait a Minute' and 'Waves of Nature'.

'dRuGz'

'Wait a Minute!'

'Waves of Nature'

Admittedly I do not always understand the message behind some of Willow's more outlandish lyrics, but she keeps a catchy beat and beautiful vocals throughout the album.

If this is the kind of music she is producing at such a young age and so early in her career, I cannot wait to see which direction she goes in next.

Keep up with Willow on social media-

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

SOUNDCLOUD