Willow Smith on Empathetic Inspiration, Workout Habits

Willow Smith’s “Bigfeelings” is the final song on her new album, “empathogen.” And according to Smith, it’s “the most complex music I’ve made in my entire career.”

“Hopefully it’s not the last time – certainly not the last time,” she said. “But this is pretty awesome.”

The entire record – the 24-year-old’s sixth solo studio album – represents a sonorous departure. Before its release on May 3, Smith was a little nervous about getting it out into the world. But mostly she was full of energy.

“This whole album is different from anything I’ve done and I’m so excited for people to hear it,” she said. “You always take a little risk, but I’m a risk-taker, what can I say?”

Indeed, Smith has made a name for himself throughout his career through diverse genres and expanding his artistic boundaries. And she’s never shied away from being open and honest about how she chooses to live her life outside of music. That ethos is very much reflected in this latest album, she said.

“I think I’m at a point in my life right now where I realize there is no destination, it’s just the daily choices we make that take us through our lives. I want to give Decide every day to be better.” more compassionate, more honest, practicing my instrument with deep presence and seeing it as a spiritual experience,” Smith added. “This album is an expression of my coming to that understanding.”

Even the album cover art shows that approach – on the cover, Smith is shown smiling emphatically, her Afro and Grillz standing out against an earthy backdrop. In another scene, she is actually stripped. It’s all about that honesty, that honesty that comes from herself. Smith said it was important to be present in her own body throughout the process of making the album. Even if it’s not a traditional, eyes-closed meditation, she still just “tunes in from time to time.”

“Like, can I feel my feet, can I feel my fingers, can I feel what my heart is feeling right now,” she explained. , am I in touch with my emotional state right now, instead of just on autopilot”.

It will be difficult for Smith to be on autopilot right now, with everything going on in her life. Just days after her album comes out, she will release her debut novel, “Black Shield Maiden,” which she co-wrote with Jess Hendel. She is also a global ambassador for LG and their Life’s Good campaign, a partnership she says is “very exciting” that brings together her and the brand’s commitment to quality audio High.

Amid all the moving parts, physical presence and mindfulness not only fuel her creative process; They also help her relax.

“It’s strange, if I exercise, it balances out my mental and emotional fatigue. It gives me energy. I know people say that, I know that there have been studies about that. But the last thing you want to do after you’ve worked all day is be productive,” she said.

Her favorite workouts these days are hot yoga and “pilates also kicks my butt,” she laughs. She also enjoys running and often listens to podcasts while jogging. Currently, she’s loving “The Ancients” (she recently listened to an episode about ancient Polynesian sailing techniques) and the science podcast “Ologies with Alie Ward.”

It’s clear that Smith loves to learn. She’s almost finished reading “Dawn of Everything” by David Graeber and David Wengrow, a nonfiction book about how society came to be. “Honestly, I can’t even explain it clearly because it’s super complicated and I’m still trying to figure it out, but it’s really making me cook noodles,” she quipped.

Taking inspiration from these other forms of media takes us back to her process. It’s all about getting inspired by the possibilities in other fields. Smith says she enjoys walking around museums alone, like just looking at “all the cool stuff.” And in releasing this album back into the world, she’s keeping that cycle of inspiration going again and again.

“I just want to see what people get from this piece of art that I’m creating, and I hope that it’s an enjoyable experience,” she said. That also involves a “big feeling”: “I just want to continue to help people be inspired and feel like they’re less alone.”

Lena Felton is senior director of features and special content at POPSUGAR, where she oversees our feature stories, special projects and identity content. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering gender and identity issues.