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Marissa Ochoa

Lauren Brandenburg

ENG101

21 October 2021

“Willow’s experiences in the music industry”

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t

come out of your horn.” by Charlie Parker. Willow Smith has been in the music industry since

she was nine years old. With Willow’s experiences in the music industry, she has more

resources to better her performances. Her live performances are uniquely different from others

and create a free-spirited atmosphere. Willow began in the music industry at age nine with her

song, “Whip My Hair” in 2010. Willows music career took back up when “Time Machine” was

released becoming an iconic tik tok song. She is also a second-generation Hollywood celebrity.

Willow is the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Smith. Her music mainly consists of R&B and soft

rock. Willow’s live concerts are more visually appealing, provide wonderful sound quality, and

the overall atmosphere of her performances differs from many artists.

Willow’s live performance of “Transparent Soul” has more visually appealing aspects.

In the beginning of Willow's performance in the background there are brightly colored

lights of pink and white. (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) While later on in the song

when it gains more intensity more specially the lyrics of, “Transparent soul… I can see right

through, just so you know … Transparent soul .... I can see right through, just so you

know”(GENIUS) the lights speed up and turn green and pink. The lights are one aspect that

makes her performance visually appealing because it draws attention to the stage and adds
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more tone to the song. Another example is the choice of outfits and makeup her and her band

decided on. Willow displays a black dress with brightly colored pink eyeshadow while her band

wears clothes along the “edgy streetwear” style. (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)

During Willow's live performance not only did the stage appeal to the audience but so

did smaller aspects such as clothing and makeup options.

One reason Willow's live performances are appealing is because of sound quality.

During her performance of “Time Machine” Willow's voice was clearly heard as well as

all her little voice inflictions. (Yaren Clotaire) Not only was Willow's voice clearly heard, her

harmonist was heard as well. And the sound quality allowed for a smoother transition between

the melodies and harmonies. (Yaren Clotaire) Adding more of a psychedelic feel to the song.

With Willow having amazing sound quality she was able to portray her song the way it

was meant to as well as getting the audience to react to that. One reason Willow's

performances differ from many artists is the fact that she can connect the audience with her

while on stage. While Willow was performing “Time Machine” her smooth flowing body

movements made an immediate connection with the audience. (Yaren Clotaire) Not only were

her smooth body movements helped to create that atmosphere, so was her care-free spirit.

Allowing the audience to enjoy and hold onto the lyrics.

Willow was able to create an atmosphere many artists consider hard to find. Willow was

able to make a connection to her audience. Willow has had great success in her live

performances visually as well auditorily and her overall atmosphere is completely different

from others. Willow has displayed these skills in her songs “Transparent Soul” and “Time
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Machine” as explained above and continues to do so now. Willow has been able to achieve the

“ultimate R&B atmosphere” with these production skills.

Works Cited

Yaren Clotaire. Time Machine- Willow Smith Live Version. 2021. Video

GENIUS. Transparent soul lyrics. Willow. 2021. Website

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, WILLOW ft. Travis Baker Transparent

Soul. 2021. Video