S. Samuel
Roc Nation protege Willow Smith's new solo album debut title has been unveiled and will look to get fans moving their Knees and Elbows come spring 2012.
Discussing her new LP, Smith believes the music will help provide inspiration to all listeners.
Willow Smith is all about kid empowerment. The young singer says she’s hoping to inspire listeners with her upcoming album “Knees and Elbows.” “It’s gonna make them feel like they have control over their lives and can do what they want to do and be the person they want to be,” she said Wednesday (Dec. 8) night. Willow is already proving that at just 11. The daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith has become a buzzed-about star thanks to her hit song “Whip My Hair.” “Knees and Elbows” is scheduled to be released in April. Willow said it will be “more R&B.” The title ties in to her theme of inspiration: “Everybody falls down and scrapes their knees and elbows but they eventually get back up,” she said. (Billboard)
The news comes just days after Smith premiered her “Fireball” music video.
Directed by Roman Lee, “Fireball” is a simplistic take on Smith’s sassy and youthful energy. It begins with a shot of a deserted sidewalk and cuts to a scene of the 11-year-old singer in front of blazing flames in an elaborately decked out ensemble, including a headpiece. As dancers perform a choreographed routine, Smith is seen strutting down the street with everlasting swag and attitude. It’s not long before Young Willow also shows her dancing skills when she joins in on the extravaganza, throwing in a few hair whips here and there. Nicki Minaj visits the street takeover soon after in an over-the-top dress made of fluorescent-colored teddy bears and matching fur boots. While streetlights glimmer on the wet pavement, the Young Money diva dances beside the singer as she spits her guest verse. (MTV)
A few days prior, Smith opened up about her chemistry alongside Nicki Minaj for their “Fireball” collabo.
“Nicki Minaj is absolutely an amazing person. She has so much energy and working with her was like just a spark. We were coming together with all our art and everything and it was amazing,” Smith explained. “We didn’t really give each other ideas. We were just kind of talking about what, like, kind of what a fireball is. A fireball is somebody–it doesn’t have to be a girl or a boy–somebody that just goes out there and does what they want to do and is just so outgoing and tries new things and just is true to who they are.” (“Ryan Seacrest Show”)
Earlier this year, rapper Skillz revealed his involvement on the 11 year-old’s LP.
“We’re working on some stuff for Willow Smith’s album,” he revealed in an interview. “I worked with her dad [Will Smith] on a few projects before so you know I have a relationship with him. It was just a natural progression like they’re doing music so, you know, that door’s always open. I’d be crazy not to try to walk through it, so we’re working on some stuff. Her Roc Nation debut will be out probably next year. I can write for anybody. It’s just stepping outside of yourself, looking at the market and realize on what’s missing and try to fill that void. We all throw darts, sometimes they stick, sometimes they don’t. But, you know, you keep going.” (BET)
Willow Smith’s Knees & Elbows is slated to drop Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012.
Check out some recent Willow Smith footage below:
