Whip My Hair

In the summer of 2010, Willow's mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, revealed on Lopez Tonight that her daughter was recording an album. On September 27, 2010, Willow's single was leaked onto the Internet.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/current-twitter-trends-all-i-want-sons-of-anarchy-eid-willow-smith-2073702.html|title=Current Twitter trends: 'All I want,' 'Sons of Anarchy,' Eid, Willow Smith|publisher=Independent.co.uk|access-date=September 9, 2010|location=London|date=September 8, 2010}} Time magazine, CNN, and Billboard each featured the song the evening it surfaced.{{cite magazine|url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/08/will-smiths-daughter-9-drops-new-single/|title=Will Smith's Daughter, 9, Drops New Single|first=Megan|last=Friedman|access-date=September 9, 2010|magazine=Time|date=September 8, 2010}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956468/billboard-bits-50-cent-raises-eyebrows-on-twitter-katy-perry-tapped-for-snl|title=Billboard Bits: 50 Cent Raises Eyebrows on Twitter, Katy Perry Tapped for 'SNL' Premiere|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media Inc|access-date=September 9, 2010}} Several celebrities applauded the new single on Twitter, including Ciara, Brandy, Solange Knowles, Britney Spears, and Alfredo Flores.

{{Quote box

| quote = "...it means just be an individual. Like, you can't be afraid to be yourself, you have to be yourself, and you can't let anyone tell you that that's wrong."

| source = —Willow on the lyrics of "Whip My Hair"

| align = center

}}

Lyrically the song is about letting loose, being as wild as can be, while she asks ladies to "whip their hair" and "shake haters off".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/sep/09/willow-smith-whip-my-hair|title=New music: Willow Smith – I Whip My Hair|work=guardian.co.uk|access-date=September 9, 2010|location=London|first=Michael|last=Cragg|date=September 9, 2010}} The lyrics have motivational undertones, speaking of self-love and assurance, and referring to letting your hair down as a representation of this in parts like the line, "Keep fighting until I get there, when I'm down and I feel like giving up/I whip my hair back and forth, I whip it, I whip it real good."

{{listen|filename=whipmyhair.ogg|title="Whip My Hair"

|description=A sample of the song, featuring the line, "Don't let haters keep me off my grind."

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"Whip My Hair" is a high-tempo R&B-hip hop{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/blogs/popculture/2010/09/will-smiths-daughter-releases-hip-hop-song.html |title=Will Smith's daughter releases hip-hop song |publisher=CBC |access-date=September 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912141544/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/blogs/popculture/2010/09/will-smiths-daughter-releases-hip-hop-song.html |archive-date=September 12, 2010 }} piece incorporating dance-pop and crunk,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/harriet-walker-the-authenticity-of-willow-smith-2111172.html|title=Harriet Walker: The authenticity of Willow Smith|work=Independent.co.uk|access-date=October 19, 2010|location=London|date=October 20, 2010}} with funk and disco influences.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/new-kids-on-the-block/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912155251/http://blogs.bet.com/music/soundOff/new-kids-on-the-block/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2010|title=New Kids on The Block|work=BET Sound Off Blog|access-date=September 9, 2010}} The song is said to be composed in an "eclectic" style, and makes use of heavy synthesizers and drums.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1068587/willow-smith-whip-my-hair|title=Willow Smith, "Whip My Hair"|first=Mariel|last=Concepcion|access-date=October 22, 2010|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} Willow's vocals are auto-tuned in some parts, while containing keyboard washes over a drum-heavy{{cite news|url=http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/08/willow-smith-drops-new-single-whip-my-hair/|title=Willow Smith drops new single 'Whip My Hair'|first=Gavin|last=Godfrey|access-date=September 9, 2010|work=CNN Marquee Blog|publisher=CNN Online|date=September 8, 2010|archive-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910224442/http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/08/willow-smith-drops-new-single-whip-my-hair/|url-status=dead}} beat described as "propulsive" and "futuristic".{{cite web|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/09/09/willow-smith-whip-my-hair/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911075142/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/09/09/willow-smith-whip-my-hair/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 11, 2010|title=Willow Smith, 'Whip My Hair' -- New Song|work=AOL Radio Blog|access-date=September 9, 2010|first=Matthew|last=Wilkening}} The song features a knocking beat, including the vocal refrain of "I whip my hair back and forth". Some critics have deemed the song too similar to Willow's musical influence Rihanna. Additionally, others said the song was similar to the style of Rihanna contemporaries Ciara and Keri Hilson, with a hip hop feel similar to Lil Mama.{{cite web|url=http://www.theboombox.com/2010/09/08/will-smiths-daughter-whips-towards-roc-nation-deal/|title=Will Smith's Daughter 'Whips' Towards Roc Nation Deal|access-date=September 9, 2010|work=AOL Boombox|publisher=AOL}} Gina Serpe of E! Online called the track a fourth-grade version of Rihanna and Hilson.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b199313_willow_smith_yep_has_hip-hop_song_its.html|title=Willow Smith (Yep) Has a Hip-Hop Song. And It's Good|first=Gina|last=Serpe|work=E! Online|date=September 8, 2010|access-date=September 9, 2010}}

File:Rihanna, LOUD Tour, Belfast cropped.jpg

Critics noted the song's universal appeal, with Gerrick Kennedy of The Los Angeles Times calling the song radio, club, and recess-friendly,{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/09/will-smiths-daughter-has-the-blog-world-on-fire-with-debut-single-whip-my-hair-2.html|title=Will Smith's daughter Willow wows the blog world with debut single 'Whip My Hair' [UPDATED]|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2010|first=Gerrick D.|last=Kennedy|date=September 8, 2010}} and Daniela Capistrano of MTV News calling it a "kid-friendly club banger".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647430/20100909/jay_z.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910115736/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647430/20100909/jay_z.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2010|title=Jay-Z Signs 'Superstar' Willow Smith To Roc Nation|work=MTV News|access-date=September 9, 2010|publisher=MTV Networks|first=Daniela|last=Capistrano}} Kennedy commented, "don't let her age fool you; the song packs serious punch." Capistrano said that the song's "crazy" beat works on the schoolyard and dancefloor.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647334/20100908/story.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910221529/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1647334/20100908/story.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2010|title=Willow Smith Makes Music Debut With 'Whip My Hair'|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=September 9, 2010|first=Daniela|last=Capistrano}} Commenting that the song was age-appropriate, Gina Serpe of E! Online said, that accomplishment was commendable, stating, "it's got to be a bit of a battle finding material suitable for someone still in the single-digits." Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly commended the song, complimenting the production value, stating the song was "Lil Mama meets Rihanna".{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/09/08/will-smiths-daughter-new-single/|title= Will Smith's daughter releases new single: Is she the next Rihanna?|first=Tim|last=Stack|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 9, 2010}} CBC said while the song may not be deep, it was the best to be expected from a "fourth grade fashionista", commenting the track was more "schoolyard friendly" than any music released by Miley Cyrus. The Guardian described the track as "a pretty good R&B belter in the same vein as Rihanna, all heavily treated vocals and huge juddering beats". BET Sound Off blog commented that Willow had more personality on the track than fellow artists three times her age. Melinda Newman of HitFix complimented Willow's "competent" singing voice.

Prior to its appearance on radio, the song received recognition on the US Rap Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat/chart-highlights-country-rock-songs-more-1004114305.story?tag=hpfeed#/column/chartbeat/chart-highlights-country-rock-songs-more-1004114305.story?tag=hpfeed|title=Chart Highlights: Country, Rock Songs & More|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=September 13, 2010|date=September 13, 2010}} On the week ending September 25, 2010 the song debuted at number 60 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-09-25/r-b-hip-hop-songs?order=gainer|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of September 25, 2010|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=September 17, 2010}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/956275/weekly-chart-notes-the-beatles-eminem-willow-smith|title=Weekly Chart Notes: the Beatles, Eminem, Willow Smith|date=September 16, 2010|first=Gary|last=Trust|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=September 17, 2010}} jumping to number 38 in the following week. The song peaked at number 5 on the charts.[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=willow|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}} Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts | Billboard.com] "Whip My Hair" debuted at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 28, 2010 and moved up to number 11 the next week.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3ifa81d8937706f99fbd198110deb7f7d3|title=Chart Moves: Susan Boyle, Willow Smith, Taylor Swift, Bo Burnham, Cee Lo|date=October 28, 2010|first1=Keith|last1=Caulfield|first2=Silvio|last2=Pietroluongo|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=October 28, 2010}}{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3if13877e698a1cce20e466a7d37767515|title=Chart Moves: Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Kanye West|date=November 4, 2010|first1=Keith|last1=Caulfield| first2=Silvio|last2=Pietroluongo|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=November 4, 2010}} It sold over 1,216,000 digital copies in the US.{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74340/week-ending-march-6-2011-songs-rated-pg/;_ylt=ArPmJDbov5AwL_nVG3VkENUPwiUv|title=Week Ending March 6, 2011: Songs: Rated PG|publisher= Yahoo! Chart Watch|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=March 10, 2011}} On December 8, 2010, "Whip My Hair" debuted on the UK Midweeks at number 1,{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/update/singles|title=UK Chart Update|work=BBC Radio 1|access-date=December 12, 2010|date=December 8, 2010}} but on December 12, 2010, it was beaten to the top by The Black Eyed Peas with "The Time (Dirty Bit)".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a292818/black-eyed-peas-climb-to-singles-no-1.html|title=Black Eyed Peas climb to singles No. 1|last=Sperling|first=Daniel|date=December 12, 2010|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi UK|access-date=December 12, 2010}}

Willow filmed the song's accompanying music video in Los Angeles the week of September 20, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/09/17/director-of-willow-smiths-whip-my-hair-hopes-video-will-inspire-others/comment-page-1/#comment-409976|title=Director of Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Hopes Video Will Inspire Others|work=Rap-Up|access-date=September 18, 2010|date=September 17, 2010}} Ray Kay, known for Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and Justin Bieber's "Baby", directed the clip. In an interview with Rap-Up, Kay said "I'm certain people that are watching the video will feel inspired to develop their own individuality and freedom and express their own art after seeing Willow in this video." Kay also confirmed that the shooting would take two days, and require a lot from Willow, although the director was confident that Willow would "kill it" in front of the camera.{{cite web|url=http://defpenradio.com/music-video-willow-smith-whip-my-hair/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020155352/http://defpenradio.com/music-video-willow-smith-whip-my-hair/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 20, 2010|title=MUSIC VIDEO: Willow Smith - Whip My Hair |date=October 18, 2010 |access-date=October 18, 2010}} Later, Kay commented to Rap-Up in a separate piece, "I think this video will be considered iconic in the future. Willow is definitely here to stay, she's a superstar. I think we managed to create a fresh expression using Willow's amazing energy, a positive and inspiring concept, and mixing the colors of the sets with Willow's fashion, which consisted of custom-made clothing and exclusive One Z jumpsuits. She's a trendsetter already and I'm sure others will be copying her style soon!"{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/18/video-willow-smith-whip-my-hair/|title=Video: Willow Smith - 'Whip My Hair'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 18, 2010}}

A teaser video released on September 16, 2010 received 1.2 million views prior to the release of the official music video. The video premiered on October 18, 2010, with Vevo hosting its online premiere, and the song featured during Willow's appearance on 106 & Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/14/willow-smith-unleashes-whip-my-hair-single-cover-video-pics/|title=Willow Smith Unleashes 'Whip My Hair' Single Cover, Video Pics|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 18, 2010|date=October 14, 2010}} Before the video received its official premieres, it was leaked online, though RocNation removed all unauthorized clips. A day after release, the video had reportedly garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/thebuzz/2010/09/superstar-signed.html|title='Superstar' signed|access-date=September 9, 2010|first=Rebekah|last=Van Druten|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}

The video begins in a futuristic cafeteria with kids, dubbed the "Warriorettes",{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650565/willow-smith-explains-her-warriorettes-crew.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629205849/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650565/willow-smith-explains-her-warriorettes-crew.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2011|title=Willow Smith Explains Her 'Warriorettes' Crew|date=October 21, 2010|first1=Mawuse|last1=Ziegbe| first2=Rebecca|last2=Thomas|publisher=MTV News. Viacom|access-date=March 9, 2011}} sitting down at grey tables in white clothing.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650281/20101018/story.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020073421/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1650281/20101018/story.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2010|title=Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Video Premieres|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom)|access-date=October 18, 2010|date=October 18, 2010|first=Katie|last=Byrne}} Willow enters the room in colorful attire (including a blue vest, orange pants and a belt with her name on it, rhinestones on her lips and extravagant nail tips).{{cite web|url=http://idolator.com/5659041/willow-smith-whip-my-hair-video|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711100342/http://idolator.com/5659041/willow-smith-whip-my-hair-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2012|title=Willow Smith Gets Whiplash In Her "Whip My Hair" Video|first=Becky|last=Bain|work=Idolator|date=October 18, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2010|publisher=Buzzmedia Publishers}} With her braids shaped to form a heart, she turns on a boombox which is filled with paint, while undoing her braids and dipping them into paint inside the stereo. She uses her hair as a paintbrush, bringing colour to the drab room. Willow begins dancing and the other children join her, which is intercut with the singer donning a colourful mohawk and performing choreography with dancers with blue shirts in front of a light blue backdrop. She alternates different hairstyles, walking down a hallway with her backup dancers. Willow 'whips' her hair to give colour to the lockers and the students' attire, before performing choreography with the hallway students. Midway, Willow and her dancers perform a dance routine with music not in the original song. The last scenes shows Willow, wearing puff braids and a yellow jumpsuit, trying to get her backup singers to dance in a classroom, which is intercut with more paint-splashing scenes as the dancers, including her brother Jaden and actor Cameron Boyce,{{cite web|url=http://www.sdentertainer.com/music/smiths-daughter-9yearold-willow-smith-releases-video-hit-song-whip-hair/|title=Will Smith's daughter, 9-year-old Willow Smith releases video for hit song "Whip My Hair"|work=San Diego Entertainer Magazine|first=Matt|last=McClanahan|date=October 19, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2010}} teachers, the janitor, an elderly lady, and a toddler dance. A writer for Rap-Up said that Willow "is in a class of her own in the breakout video for her empowering anthem", calling the video "the birth of more B.S.".

Natalie Finn of E! Online commended the video for being "sassy, yet kid friendly".{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b206272_watch_willow_smiths_hair_whip_back.html|title=Watch Willow Smith's Hair Whip Back and Forth in Debut Video|first=Natalie|last=Finn|access-date=October 18, 2010|work=E! Online|date=October 18, 2010}} Carina Adly MacKenzie of Zap2it said while the song took everyone by surprise, that the video was "even more awesome", commenting, "we probably shouldn't be shocked that Willow has more charisma in her pinky finger than half the artists twice her age."{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2010/10/willow-smiths-i-whip-my-hair-video-premiere-watch-out-rihanna.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721100658/http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2010/10/willow-smiths-i-whip-my-hair-video-premiere-watch-out-rihanna.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2012|title=Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' video premiere: Watch out, Rihanna|work=Zap2it|publisher=Tribune Media Services|date=October 18, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2010|first=Carina Adly|last=MacKenzie}} Ryan Brockington of The New York Post reviewed the video positively, stating that "director Ray Kay kept it very young and colorful, the complete opposite of the very grown up sounding track."{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/get_ready_for_year_old_world_domination_X4Z6ELYfgzbJ2O37cjho1K|title=Get ready for 9-year old world domination|first=Ryan|last=Brockington|work=The New York Post|access-date=October 18, 2010|date=October 18, 2010|archive-date=October 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019201609/http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/get_ready_for_year_old_world_domination_X4Z6ELYfgzbJ2O37cjho1K|url-status=dead}}

A writer for Idolator said that Willow, in the video, "has transcended from Jada and Will Smith's 9-year-old kiddo to a legitimate star", noting, "the killer outfits, fun classroom dance pieces and, yes, tons of hair whipping -- with paint!"{{cite news | url=https://www.idolator.com/5659912/review-revue-critics-react-to-willow-smiths-whip-my-hair-music-video | title=Review Revue: Critics React To Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" Music Video | first=Erika Brooks | last=Adickman | work=Idolator | date=October 19, 2010}} A Celebuzz writer said that Willow "kills it with some seriously fierce bling, dance moves and, of course, intense hair whipping".{{cite web|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/willow-smiths-whip-my-hair-s263341/|title=Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Video Hits the Internet|work=Celebuzz|publisher=Buzzmedia Publishers|access-date=October 18, 2010}} Melinda Newman of HitFix commented, "As Miley Cyrus gets ready to become an adult, we can fill that spot with Willow", complimenting her charisma and her "full-blown teen" attitude.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/watch-willow-smith-whips-her-hair-alot-in-new-video|title=Willow Smith whips her hair in 'Whip My Hair' video|first=Melinda|last=Newman|work=HitFix|access-date=October 19, 2010}}

Matt Cherrete and Chris Ryan of MTV Buzzworthy said the video lived up to the "energy" and "power" of the track, commenting that it contained the "most inspiring and awesome youth power dancing, hair whipping and floor stomping that you're going to see all day".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/10/19/willow-smith-whip-my-hair-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022031309/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/10/19/willow-smith-whip-my-hair-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=New Video: Willow Smith, 'Whip My Hair'|first=Chris|last=Ryan|work=MTV Buzzworthy|publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom)|access-date=October 22, 2010}} Matt Donnelly of The Los Angeles Times said that with the release, the singer "introduces to us a pre-preteen firecracker who lives up to her impeccable breeding and perhaps takes the legacy one step further".{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/10/willow-smith-i-whip-my-hair-back-and-forth.html|title=Willow Smith: All you need to know, including what it's like with Justin Bieber in the picture|first=Matt|last=Donnelly|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 22, 2010|date=October 20, 2010}} Admitting she originally dismissed the song and video, due to Willow's quick rise to fame and the oversexualized nature of pop music, Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly commented: "this clip is about to put a boom in the chiropracting industry (with possible ancillary benefits for housepaint), because girl can snap it."{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/10/18/willow-smiths-whip-my-hair-video-watch-it-here/|title=Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' video: Watch it here|first=Leah|last=Greenblatt|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 19, 2010}} Billy Johnson Jr. of Yahoo! Music said that "among the many dancers in the clip", Willow "shines as the clear breakout star", calling the video a "smash", and commented that "she pulls it off without need for cameo appearances from her famous parents."{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/hiphopmediatraining/299717/parental-advisory-willow-smiths-whip-my-hair-video-to-influence-your-tween-daughters-hairstyles/|title=Parental Advisory: Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair' Video To Influence Your Tween Daughter's Hairstyles|first=Billy|last=Johnson Jr.|access-date=October 22, 2010|work=Yahoo! Music}} Veronica Miller of NPR said that it wasn't the hairstyles that made the clip, but "the sheer fearlessness with which young Willow is singing, dancing and whipping", stating she has "just enough sass and pluck and confidence to hold our attention and leave us wanting more".{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/tellmemore/2010/10/21/130729009/the-best-week-ever-for-black-girls|title=The Best Week Ever For Black Girls|work=NPR|first=Veronica|last=Miller|access-date=October 22, 2010}} The video was nominated for "Video of the Year" and "Outstanding Music Video" at the 2011 BET Awards and NAACP Image Awards respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/video-of-the-year.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521185545/http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/video-of-the-year.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |title=Video of the Year | BET Awards | Shows |publisher=BET |access-date=November 21, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/03/willow-smith-video-21st-century-girl-tyler-perry-naacp.html|title='21st Century Girl' Willow Smith wins new-artist NAACP Image Award|last=D'Zurilla|first=Christie|date=March 7, 2011|work=The Los Angeles Times|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=March 22, 2012}}

Willow performed the song for the first time live on November 2, 2010 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show,{{cite web|url=http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2010/10/watch_willow_smith_whip_her_hair.php|title=Watch Willow Smith Whip Her Hair|work=Extra Online|access-date=October 18, 2010}} followed by performances on December 6, 2010 at the LA Live Tree Lighting, and on December 31, 2010 at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/01/video-willow-smith-performs-on-dick-clarks-new-years-rockin-eve/|title=Video: Willow Smith Performs on 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 29, 2011|date=January 1, 2011}} The following year, Willow performed the song on March 1 on The Oprah Winfrey Show,{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/03/01/video-willow-smith-performs-on-oprah/|title=Video: Willow Smith Performs on 'Oprah'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 29, 2011|date=March 1, 2011}} and on April 3 at the 2011 Kids Choice Awards{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/02/video-willow-smith-performs-at-2011-kids-choice-awards/|title=Video: Willow Smith Performs at 2011 Kids' Choice Awards|access-date=October 29, 2011|date=April 2, 2011}} and on April 25, 2011 at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/25/video-willow-smith-performs-at-white-house-easter-egg-roll/|title=Video: Willow Smith Performs at White House Easter Egg Roll|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 29, 2011|date=April 25, 2011}} She also performed the song as an opening act on the United Kingdom leg of Justin Bieber's My World Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/03/05/willow-smith-kicks-off-tour-with-justin-bieber-wins-naacp-image-award/|title=Willow Smith Kicks Off Tour with Justin Bieber, Wins NAACP Image Award|work=Rap-Up|access-date=October 29, 2011|date=March 5, 2011}}

In 2021, Willow debuted a punk version of the song, and had her head shaved while performing it live on stage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/willow-smith-shaved-head-performing-whip-my-hair|title=Willow Smith Shaved Her Head While Performing a Rock Version of "Whip My Hair"|first=De|last=Elizabeth|date=July 18, 2021|website=Teen Vogue}}

In September 2010, a fan-made mash-up of the video and a Sesame Street segment appeared online. The original Sesame Street clip featured a puppet portrayed as a young black girl proud of her hair. She flails her braids, cornrows, afro, and other Black hairstyles. According to the show's writer, Joey Mazzarino, the song was a tribute to his Ethiopian daughter's hair, writing it, stating that he wanted to say, "Your hair is great. You can put it in ponytails. You can put it in cornrows. I wish I had hair like you." The mash-up uses different shots in the show's segment paired with "Whip My Hair" to act as a music video. During the week of release of the "Whip My Hair" video, the Sesame Street clip also went viral.

Veronica Miller of NPR commented that through both clips, "little black girls [were] having the best week ever", noting the rarity that "little African-American girls are publicly celebrated for their uniqueness and beauty", due to non-positive comments about their physical appearance, making them question individual and collective beauty. On the single's video, Miller said, "Little Willow is operating with a sort of empowerment that grown women can sense, admire, and in some cases, envy", stating, "not many girls are taught that it's OK to openly love and affirm yourself." Noting that the norm is not to be "sassy" or "cute", she said that "Whip My Hair" is "a celebration of little girls celebrating themselves".

In 2013, the song was used as a "lip-sync for your life" song on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, during the seventh episode "RuPaul Roast". Contestants Alyssa Edwards and Roxxxy Andrews were in the bottom two after failing the challenge. After a double wig trick from Andrews, an energetic performance from Edwards and an emotional breakdown from Andrews, both contestants were saved from elimination. RuPaul has gone on to say that this performance was his favorite lip-sync ever.{{cite web |last1=O'Keeffe |first1=Kevin |title='RuPaul's Drag Race': Ranking All the All-Stars Queens' Best Lip-Sync Performances |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/149091/ru-paul-s-drag-race-ranking-all-the-all-stars-queens-best-lip-sync-performances |website=Mic |access-date=22 December 2022 |date=July 19, 2016}}

• Digital download

1. "Whip My Hair" – 3:16
2. "Whip My Hair" (Remix) ft. Nicki Minaj - 3:27

• UK digital download{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/whip-my-hair-single/id402699899|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211180125/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/whip-my-hair-single/id402699899|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 11, 2010|title=Whip My Hair - Single|publisher=iTunes Store United Kingdom. Apple Inc|access-date=March 9, 2011}}

1. "Whip My Hair" – 3:13
2. "Whip My Hair" (music video) – 3:54

• EP – digital download{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/whip-my-hair-ep/id411759330|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111222621/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/whip-my-hair-ep/id411759330|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2012|title=Whip My Hair - EP|publisher=iTunes Store Germany. Apple Inc|language=de|access-date=March 9, 2011}}

1. "Whip My Hair" – 3:13
2. "Whip My Hair" (Warriorettes Mix) – 3:17
3. "Whip My Hair" (music video) – 3:54

• German CD single{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B004DSE2ZY/|title=Whip My Hair|work=Amazon.de|language=de|access-date=March 9, 2011}}

1. "Whip My Hair" (album version) – 3:13
2. "Whip My Hair" (Warriorettes Mix) – 3:17

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Whip My Hair}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Willow|title=Whip My Hair|award=Platinum|relyear=2010|certyear=2011|access-date=June 20, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Willow|title=Whip My Hair|award=Gold|relyear=2010|certyear=2011|digital=true|access-date=June 20, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Willow|title=Whip My Hair|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|id=9534-2754-1|access-date=November 19, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Willow Smith|title=Whip My Hair|relyear=2010|certyear=2022|digital=true|access-date=November 29, 2022}}

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Category:2010 debut singles

Category:2010 songs

Category:Willow Smith songs

Category:Music videos directed by Ray Kay

Category:Roc Nation singles

Category:Songs written by Willow Smith

Category:Songs about hair