:en:I Am Not My Hair

The song's original version with only Arie singing featured acoustic guitar and prominent bass over a midtempo drum track. This version was released digitally on November 15, 2005 through online music services such as iTunes, Rhapsody, and Amazon.com,{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W11JU2 |title=Amazon.com: I Am Not My Hair: MP3 Downloads: india.arie |work=Amazon.com |access-date=2008-01-29}} followed by the CD single release on December 6, 2005.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BTJC1S |title=Amazon.com: I Am Not My Hair: India.Arie: Music |work=Amazon.com |access-date=2009-01-05}} "I Am Not My Hair" was the most successful release from Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, being the only single to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, peaking at numbers ninety-seven and sixty-five, respectively.

A remix featuring Senegalese-American singer Akon, entitled Konvict Remix, was released to U.S. rhythmic{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=04/03/2006&Format=9 |title=Rhythmic – Week Of: April 3, 2006 |work=Radio & Records |access-date=2009-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062347/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=04%2F03%2F2006&Format=9 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead }} and urban{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=04/03/2006&Format=5 |title=Urban – Week Of: April 3, 2006 |work=Radio & Records |access-date=2009-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062400/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=04%2F03%2F2006&Format=5 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead }} radio formats on April 3, 2006, and later to iTunes on June 20, 2006. The song's music video, directed by Barnaby Roper, used this remix. Akon's writing credit was added with the release of the remix. The remix was added on later editions of the album, replacing the original version.

On the April 16, 2007 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Arie stated that her record label insisted that Akon be added to the single to make the song more mainstream.{{cite web |url=http://southsidestar.blogspot.com/2007/04/oprah-takes-on-racism-sexism-hip-hop.html |title=Oprah Takes On Racism, Sexism, Hip-hop |work=South Side Star |date=April 16, 2007 |access-date=2008-01-29}} She said that she did not want Akon to be featured on the song, without mentioning his name.

According to Arie, the original version of "I Am Not My Hair" was a duet with pop rock singer Pink.{{cite magazine |last=Mitchell |first=Gail |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57036/indiaaries-hair-regrows-with-pink |title=India.Arie's 'Hair' Regrows With Pink |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=2008-01-29}} The song's original concept originated from Pink's decision to do away with her pink locks, while the last verse was written after Arie watched Melissa Etheridge's performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards, where she appeared bald from chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. This version was made available on iTunes on October 17, 2006, and was used in the Lifetime television film Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, which premiered on October 23, 2006.

A music video was produced to promote the single. The video was directed by Barnaby Roper and used the Konvict Remix of the song.

{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2010}}

;U.S. CD single and digital single

1. "I Am Not My Hair" – 3:49

;U.S. promo CD single

1. "I Am Not My Hair" (Konvict Remix featuring Akon) – 3:52
2. "I Am Not My Hair" (Swizz Beatz Remix featuring Swizz Beatz) – 4:09
3. "I Am Not My Hair" (Wiggedout Radio Edit) – 3:58
4. "I Am Not My Hair" (Konvict Remix w/o Akon) – 3:21

;UK CD single and digital EP

1. "I Am Not My Hair" (Konvict Remix featuring Akon) – 3:52
2. "I Am Not My Hair" (Swizz Beatz Remix featuring Swizz Beatz) – 3:36
3. "I Am Not My Hair" (Wiggedout Remix) – 7:18
4. "I Am Not My Hair" (Yoruba Soul Remix) – 3:28

;UK digital single

1. "I Am Not My Hair" (Konvict Remix featuring Akon) – 3:52

;UK 12" single

1. "I Am Not My Hair" (Konvict Remix featuring Akon) – 3:52
2. "I Am Not My Hair" (Swizz Beatz Remix featuring Swizz Beatz) – 3:36
3. "I Am Not My Hair" (Jazze Pha Remix) – 4:02
4. "I Am Not My Hair" (Wiggedout Remix) – 7:18
5. "I Am Not My Hair" (Yoruba Soul Remix) – 3:28

{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2010}}

• Album Version – 3:49
• Konvict Remix featuring Akon – 3:52
• Konvict Remix w/o Akon – 3:21
• Swizz Beatz Remix featuring Swizz Beatz – 3:36
• Wiggedout Remix – 7:18
• Wiggedout Radio Edit – 3:58
• Jazze Pha Remix – 4:02
• Yoruba Soul Remix – 3:28
• Remix featuring Pink – 3:45

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{{Reflist}}

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{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}

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Category:2005 singles

Category:2006 singles

Category:Akon songs

Category:India Arie songs

Category:2005 songs

Category:Songs written by Shannon Sanders

Category:Songs written by India Arie

Category:Songs written by Akon

Category:Motown singles

Category:Melissa Etheridge

Category:Songs about hair