Willow Smith , known artistically only by her first name, has changed the musical direction of her career. With a pop-punk album ready for release in July, the daughter of Jada Pinkett and Will Smith aims to empower other Black women through rock music.
After accompanying her mother on a Wicked Wisdom , the nu metal band led by Jada in the 2000s, during her childhood, the artist became fascinated by that type of art, but also witnessed the hostility of the audience towards the vocalist. Many times, Jada was the target of thrown objects and death threats from the public.
Recently, Willow spoke out about the prejudice she has faced as a Black woman who enjoys heavier music , still with a predominantly white audience and artists. Her goal now is to change that. “In the guitar world, it’s still heavily dominated by white men,” she told Billboard . “I just wanted to get down and dirty with that. I hope to see more Black women killing it, playing guitar and bass, and I want to be their cheerleader. I want to be there for them.”
“I wanted other Black people to know that we should be able to do whatever we want, to yell, growl, and lash out,” Willow continued. “And with the history of what we’ve had to endure in this country, I think rock is a very perfect place to do that.”
Lately I Feel Everything , her first album with a pop-punk sound, will be released on July 16th.
