Willow Smith, 9, signs record deal with Jay-Z
Willow Smith, the nine-year-old daughter of actor Will Smith, has signed a record deal with rapper Jay-Z and her first single is already kicking up a storm on the Internet.
She is being compared to Rihanna
When you have that sort of talent, there is no such thing as too young
Jay-Z told radio host Ryan Seacrest that he thought Willow had a superstar career in front of her based on her first hip-hop single "Whip My Hair".
"I heard the record first before I knew that it was recorded by a nine-year- old and I was like, man that record's a smash," the performer and record producer told Seacrest. "I believe in superstars. I believe on big records on superstars and I think she has both."
"Whip My Hair" had been viewed more than 100,000 times on YouTube after just a day of being released.
"She has a child's innocence but she has a clear vision of who she is and who she wants to be," Jay-Z said, comparing Willow to a young Michael Jackson.
Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation said in a statement that Willow "has an energy and enthusiasm about her music that is truly infectious...Willow is about to embark on an incredible journey and we look forward to joining her as she grows in all aspects of her career".
Jay-Z, one of the most influential artists in the U.S. music industry, signed R&B artist Rihanna when she was a teenager.
Willow's distinctive lop-sided hair cut and debut single have both been compared to Rihanna's.
Jay-Z brushed aside suggestions that Willow may be too young at nine years old to launch a music career.
"When you have that sort of talent, there is no such thing as too young," he said.
Willow, the daughter of "Men in Black" actor Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, follows her brother Jaden in an early start to a high-profile career.
Jaden Smith, 12, starred in the movie "The Karate Kid" earlier this year.
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Fabulosity
@Kuku, It's a GIRL, LOL!Ya, very good for her. It's good to see parents focusing on their kids' talents. Good for you Willow. Rihanna better up her game now....
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Gzza
Little one f*ck school, you've got millions in the pipeline...go to the school of lifeReport Abuse
RTMZ
Some people really have it easy. The world over, its all about who you are and who do you know.Report Abuse
Fabulosity
@Gzza, LOL.. those were my initial thoughts but then again, money does run out! Then what... I agree on one thing tho, The School of Life is the best school in life!Report Abuse
Gzza
Fabulosity, money runs out for sure but that is where her parents must impart their knowledge on how they made it workReport Abuse
Gzza
Watch this space, these kids will get hooked on drugs in their teen years...how do I know this cos this world is so f*cked upReport Abuse
IceQueen
these kids are all swimming in money. she is the cutest little thing and has her father's ears. woooowReport Abuse