I Am Not my Hair (ft. India Arie). Akon. [Akon: Verse 1]. Konvict. Konvict Music uh huh. See I can kind of recall a lil ways back. Small tryin to ball always been black. And my hair I tried it all I even went flat. Had a gummy curled on top and all that crap (o oh). Just tryin to be appreciated. Nappy headed brothers never had no ladies. Never hit the barber shop real quick. Had a mini lil twist and it drove her crazy (crazy). Then I couldnt get no job. Cuz corporate wouldn't hire no dreadlocks. Then I thought about my dogs on the block. Kinda understand why they chose to steal and rob. Was it the hair that got me this far?. All these girls these cribs these cars?. I hate to say it but it seem so flawed. Success didnt come til I cut it all off. [India.Arie: Verse 1]. Little girl with the press and curl. Age eight I got a Jheri curl. Thirteen and I got a relaxer. I was a source of so much laughter. At fifteen when it all broke off. Eighteen and I went all natural. February two thousand and two. I went on and did. What I had to do. Because it was time to change my life. To become the women that I am inside. Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone. I looked in the mirror. For the first time and saw that HEY. [Chorus]. I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am not your expectations no no. I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am a soul that lives within. [India.Arie: Verse 2]. Good hair means curls and waves. Bad hair means you look like a slave. At the turn of the century. It's time for us to redefine who we be. You can shave it off. Like a South African beauty. Or get in on lock. Like Bob Marley. You can rock it straight. Like Oprah Winfrey. If it's not what's on your head. It's what's underneath and say HEY. [Chorus]. [Akon: Verse 2]. Who cares if you don't like that. With nothin to lose postin with the wave cap. And the cops want to harass because I got waves. Ain't see nothin like that in all my days (o oh). And you gotta change all this feelings. They be judging one another by their appearance. Yes India i feel ya girl. Now go 'head talk to the rest of the world because. . [Bridge]. (Whoa whoa whoa). Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?. (Whoa whoa whoa). Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh. (Whoa whoa whoa). Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?. (Whoa whoa whoa). I am expressing my creativity. (Whoa whoa whoa). [India.Arie: Verse 3]. Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy. Took away her crown and glory. She promised God if she was to survive. She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh. On national television. Her diamond eyes are sparkling. Bald headed like a full moon shining. Singing out to the whole wide world like HEYup by. Big Frog. [Chorus til fade]