School is in Session: Willow Smith Educates Us on ‘Summer Fling’

Leave Willow Smith alone.

The 12-year-old singer responded to her critics Monday during the premiere episode of "The Queen Latifah Show." When performing her song "Summer Fling," the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith argued that there was nothing inappropriate about the track.

After singing the first verse, Smith said, "Just for clarity, the word fling means something that's short lived and this song is dedicated to all the kids around the world whose summer is never long enough."

Smith's explanation sounds like damage control.

When the "Whip My Hair" singer released the video for the song in July, she received flack for singing about a summer romance. In the video, she strikes up a courtship with a boy and sings suggestive lyrics like, "Don't really care what we do tonight. Good night kiss till the mood is right."

But there's nothing questionable about her performance. Her soft, pacing vocal styling is mature and has drawn comparisons to Rihanna, though some of her nuances, the way she slurs her words, for instance, are reminiscent of Fiona Apple.

She's more artistic than Disney manufactured, and is at ease being backed by a live orchestra.

Not bad for a girl who doesn't turn 13 until Oct. 31.

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