Jay-Z Compares Willow Smith To Michael Jackson?

The Net has been buzzing all week about Willow Smith’s new Rihanna-esque jam, “Whip My Hair.” Now, Jay-Z is confirming that the 9-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith is an official Roc Nation signee.

Hov hopped Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show today (Sept. 9) to explain Willow's joining the Roc roster. “I heard the record first before I knew that it was recorded by a nine year old and I was like man that records a smash,” Jay-Z told Seacrest. “I believe in superstars. I believe on big records on superstars and I think she has both.”

Throw your diamonds up and listen to Willow’s “Whip My Hair” below. Judge for yourself if the hype is warranted.

But you can't deny her star power. During the Seacrest interview, the precocious singer talked about hating math homework and inheriting her individuality from her mama.

Explaining the meaning of “Whip My Hair,” Willow, whose musical inspirations include Michael Jackson and Billy Idol, said, “It means just being an individual. You can’t be afraid to be yourself and you can’t let anybody tell you that that’s wrong… My mom and me are very strong individuals. A lot of people don’t act like themselves so they’re not happy.”

“She has a clear vision of what she wants and who she wants to be,” said Jay-Z. “I don’t want to go so far but I can imagine that’s how Mike was as a young kid. He knew exactly what he wanted.”

When Seacrest asked, “Did you ever worry she’s too young?” Jay-Z reminded him how early the King of Pop got started.

“I believe you have to start somewhere. When you have that sort of talent and you have that sort of vision, there’s no such thing as too young. Again, I heard the record without knowing who it was. It’s a hit record,” said Jay. “If you listen to any comments, everyone says I can’t believe that as an adult that you like a record that’s made by a 9-year-old. But we all danced to Michael Jackson records when he was 8. Stevie Wonder started at 8.”

His advice to Willow: “Just enjoy the process and have fun doing it and just stay true to the values that she had coming in the door.”