Eleven-year-old Willow Smith, daughter of Hollywood movie stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, has announced the launch of her debut album on April 3, 2012.
Like her older brothers Jaden and Trey – Willow got her start in the entertainment industry as an actor, and first appeared alongside her father in I Am Legend in 2007, which led to other roles.
In 2010, the young Smith has signed a contract with Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, and that same year her first single, the bouncy Whip My Hair, was released, landing in the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot R&B chart.
Her debut album will feature her first hit single, along with 21st Century Girl, and a new collaboration with Nicki Minaj called Fireball.
“She has an energy and enthusiasm about her music that is truly infectious,” said a label spokesperson. “It’s rare to find an artist with such innate talent and creativity at such a young age.”
Last January, rapper Jay-Z revealed he wanted to remake the musical Annie with Willow Smith in the title role. For now, no other details have been released.
Willow Smith may have also helped revive her father’s interest in music as the actor is thinking of returning to his rap roots. His last studio album, Lost and Found, was released in 2005.