WILLOW: 'empathogen', Growth & Tour | Apple Music

WILLOW, singer, songwriter, and producer, releases her sixth studio album, ‘empathogen’.
WILLOW joins Zane Lowe in the studio to discuss her new album along with the journey she has had as a black woman in the “rock” genre. WILLOW explains how her relationship with her parents has changed as she’s grown up. The two also talk about her creative process and upcoming tour plans.
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#Willow #Interview #AppleMusic

[@fatimaruiz9560]

Willow is so criminally underrated and unappreciated. She makes phenomenal music and is also an outstanding performer. I’ve had the privilege of seeing her twice now and I cannot express how amazing she is live.

[@nicknickson3650]

she's literally the daughter of a billionaire actor. She's not some indie artist living in a cheap apartment struggling to pay rent. You speak as if she's going through hardship lol she lives like a Greek goddess

[@MarceloDiamonds]

@@nicknickson3650It’s still true though. She comes from a rich family but her talent is clearly there, she’s a musical person and for the level of talent she displays there’s not an equal amount of appreciation

[@srhatfield]

@@nicknickson3650 There is a great amount of privilege that she has, sure... but does a "struggling artist" make better art than someone who does it because they love it? She does have a struggle, though! She is in the shadow of 2 VERY talented parents.. so the expectations of a struggling artist and a little rich girl from the land of the stars are 2 sides of the same coin, because regular people like you and me expect the struggling artist to do better and the spoiled kid to be lazy. They just have different mountains to climb.

[@Tamisha710]

​@nicknickson3650 You're too silly for the internet.

[@EmmaCOW93]

She’s not wrong that rock album is criminally underrated. I was shocked when I finally listened that I had never heard anything about it.

[@sarahnsah5884]

same!!!

[@nusi4043]

no like it was one of my faves of that yearrr it made me so sad when she did coachella, or any of those big festival shows, and nobody rlly knew the words. i was screaming them from my room 😭😭😭

[@MattEllwood1]

It was one of my fave albums of 2022

[@ricoootinto8715]

definately!! the album is so good but many people do not know about it

[@SETH5641]

That album is in heavy rotation for me to this day

[@jessicacoleman182]

Her self AWARENESS from a YOUNG age is just beyond me. It's MIND BLOWING. She understands life and emotions SO DEEPLY even growing up privileged.

[@zetzeeful]

So true

[@DbeeM]

100 %

[@ProgrammedMind]

she surely didnt get that from her mother

[@TheMovies102]

Dude grow up this is her moment why are you bringing up her mother and nine times out of 10 her mother did instill these qualities out of her because it certainly wasn't will because he was busy in Hollywood she was a stay-at-home parent thus the bigger influence ... stop trying to bring negativity where is it present allow this woman to speak truth and share her art with us. ​@StarlyhtD

[@TheMovies102]

​@@ProgrammedMind..

[@FullyAware___]

She’s not noticed in the way she should be because her music personality and soul are too authentic for this world. Things that are superficial and obnoxious get more clout than anything these days. It’s sad where the world has gone. Keep going willow! You’re the person we need more of in the world and your talent and music are phenomenal!!!🫶🏵️

[@LeeanAika]

THIS

[@Mkriley2006]

She is so beyond her years, I love all of her music so much

[@JeiElRai]

Zane was a big part of letting me realize the same about Willow, and Dua Lipa as well. He's really probably the greatest music interviewer of his generation, one of the best of all time. He does his research very well and really lets the artist speak during interviews in a way that really brings out their character and highlights all they have going for them. Very empathetic and insightful dude.

[@NajaamPLee]

She's not beyond her years, the world needs to wake up and catch up! For real!!!

[@perspicaciouscritic]

“I really did make it hard for myself. I keep making it harder, weirdly enough. I can’t help it. I feel like if I’m not doing that, then it’s like, where am I going? Am I working towards the artist I really want to be? Am I working towards the human I really want to be? All of the greats tried to challenge themselves and put themselves in situations that forced them to become who they are.” - Willow Smith

[@LegendaryVogueX]

7 studio albums at 23 years old is absolutely insane. Will never be anyone like her ever again. Beyond her years is an understatement.

[@SUNNYBADD]

No she makes me look lazy. I’m on my 5th album and I’m 27 😅

[@MorelifeMorebucks]

Chief keef did it first

[@SUNNYBADD]

@@MorelifeMorebucks ok? lol

[@MorelifeMorebucks]

@@SUNNYBADD I was even talking to u gang 😂 just like u saying ok to that mfs can say the same bout u stating you on your 5th weak album

[@SUNNYBADD]

@@MorelifeMorebucks you’re mad that you inserted yourself in a conversation you could never relate to? Yikes and keef ain’t paying you to hate blood.

[@tayonrobinson6782]

WILLOW one thing about it. Copingmechanism was hands down the best rock album that came out in 2022 if anything one of the best albums of 2022

[@kivonshe]

Top 3 albums of 2022: Coping Mechanism, The Age of Pleasure, Renaissance. All different genres. They DOMINATED for me in 2022 n no one is changing my mind

[@ancestralabundance]

@@kivonsheThe Age of Pleasure was 2023 no?

[@mauriciosaIas]

I honestly REALLY adored the singles off the empathogen rollout which for me creates even more anticipation for tomorrow !!! 😭😭 It’s honestly crazy how she went from writing “whip my hair” to something chaotic & beautiful like “symptom of life” & “b i g f e e l i n g s” … like the growth is truly amazing

[@vbrown6445]

Not so crazy. I mean, she was only 9 during whip my hair. It's wonderful to watch her growth as she matures and works at her art.

[@JeiElRai]

SUMMARY: Zane: "Right??" Willow: "100%!!" ❤

[@florazul5240]

😂♥️

[@JeiElRai]

@@florazul5240 it's rare that someone so intelligent, wise and well-spoken says one phrase so much. She's like a genius who says "like" constantly just because of where they grew up lol. If I wasn't so rusty on the edit I'd make a supercut of her saying it. The interview is under an hour and I'm pretty sure she says it at least 60 or so times ...

[@BeastToneTroopers]

Bro! :)

[@thewaldfe9763]

Really hope she's going to take that npr-band on tour!

[@thelovinglight]

that band is sooooo rad! my fingers are crossed!

[@mockingbeaurd]

Would be awesome❤

[@valentinasanchez5757]

Yes me too , and I hope she also comes to Europe

[@motherearth2414]

I am 62 years old and this album is so awesome so much different talent. The jazz, the 70's the age of such an older musician in such a young mind... Awesome!! Congrats Willow!

[@joyheard4661]

Hearing Willow mention Nai Palm makes so much sense... I could feel the inspiration of Hiatus Kaiyote all through Empathogen.

[@Coastpsych_fi99]

Same could just feel it and the inspiration of the greats such as Ella. It’s divine. Feel blessed.

[@alesamaa]

Zane, I really needed to hear "can't think of anything better than the fact that my job is to practice and get better. My job is to get better at what I love". Thank you man. REALLY needed to hear that 🙏🙏

[@user-gp4fm4id4o]

i think many people sleep on her bc of her "lastname". people think that since she comes from famous circle she is just trying to be famous but in reality she is really passionate about music since she was 9 and she keeps doing it after all.

[@Sc0rpio12Baby]

This is the most grown and beautiful I have ever seen Willow. Absolutely, loving the earthy tones.

[@dakotac180]

Coping Mechanism definitely got me through last year. I love her ethereal hippie punk funk. They are so beautiful always love their message. They are busting out creative awesomeness so much so fast.

[@stormyviolety]

B I G F E E L I N G S is SOO GOOD

[@florazul5240]

The Entire Album is a Grammy Masterpiece

[@virginiasirolli]

COPING MECHANISM is INCREDIBLE. It definitely didn't get the recognition it deserves !!

[@alesamaa]

Willow wanting to be validated by Nai Palm is SO relatable. We all want Nai Palm's recognition girl😅. I loved that, that was real💯🙏

[@itsmichele]

WOW!! What a FANTASTIC interview. The more I watch Willow, listen to her music, hear her speak and share her interpretation of life, the more I absolutely love her. She pays her mom the highest compliment and says, “Musically, there’s nobody like her.” When in fact there is absolutely nobody like Willow either, she truly is one of a kind, 100% Can’t wait to see what her future has in store! ❤🎤🎸🎵

[@antoniorocha7884]

her rock album is a complete masterpiece!

[@Buoburt]

This interview was so good. Bouncing off each other. Going back to certain points of the conversation. Having the depth/capacity to understand each other despite the generational gap. Loving this album. loved the NPR Tiny desk. I have that on loop. If theres a version of you doing the whole album/setlist live, that would be on loop too. So many bombs dropped, one after the other. Dropped silently and audibly

[@KolkhozWoman]

I actually don't find it surprising AT ALL that she's overlooked as a serious musician. First of all she's a black woman so that's pretty self explanatory. But she's labeled as a "nepo baby" just because her parents are successful so any kind od success she has is credited to having resources. So black people should either struggle or be accused of not struggling enough cause their parents provided for them? Her making it as a musician is such a full circle moment considering her mother probably had the same talent but was doing it at a wrong time politically and socially. Yes, growing up with privilege skews your way of thinking, but she's never pretended that she struggled with things she didn't struggle with, like poverty or "being too rich", she just sings about her experiences as a human. And she is living proof that women of color need to work ten times harder to be taken seriously. She could have been a pop star, she chose to make real music, and ironically, she's more belitted for it than she would have been had she chosen the pop route. But I think people are starting to catch up and it makes me so happy. Good music is hard to be deaf to.

[@jenesisgallego6063]

Si 👏🏼 me imagino y

[@samanthadalessandro4141]

this is one of THE best albums I have ever listened to. so impressed and grateful.

[@Pepsiisgood]

Take a shot everytime Willow says: "One hundred percent" 👀

[@Herzeleid1985]

Alcohol poisoning!

[@sneshead3326]

😂😂😂

[@waddiewaddie2140]

He is enjoying this so much, I've hardly ever seen such combustive movement prior to this interview! Amazing work with knowing when to listen and drive.

[@jessicacoleman182]

I LOVE how much LOVE is being shown to her and everyone is really giving her her flowers which are more than well deserved.

[@jackandlill]

I have recently heard Willow's music here on YT & have been blown away!! I didn't know what a gorgeous voice she has. I kept getting Kate Bush vibes whilst listening. And what has been so exciting is that each new song I have heard has been just as different & exciting as the one before it... She is a beautiful musician, artist & performer!

[@richardpounds9379]

100% -Willow Smith 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@alesamaa]

I hate unsolicited advice: receiving ANDgiving it, so I always try to be very mindful of it, and I really loved how Zane and Willow put it here with the term "emotional mugger". Imma use that!💯

[@kirstenneville1934]

I had previously dismissed her as a nepo baby. But this record is absolutely incredible and her talent cannot be denied.

[@Dap740]

she's talking about validation 😭Girl I am pressing the validation button here a million times ✅What you created is INSANELY good

[@MsPeacer12]

I would love for Willow and Raphael Saadig to do something together if they haven't already. Willow is so talented.

[@furstnaymelassnaim9206]

Willow was always on my radar, but this album…definitely put her in my top 5. This album is my second favorite very close to cowboy Carter.

[@owl-theaesthete]

Same😭😭😭😭😭

[@xt9283]

omg i loved this interview. love to get to know and understand an artist a little better

[@graciejones9934]

So grateful willow is in our music industry 😁🙏

[@waddiewaddie2140]

one minute fourty seconds in and I can't get enough of your voice!!! Willow thank you so much for welcoming us into a small portion of your mind, life and creative release! So much pleasure, you are ever revolving! okay, I'm pressing play Zane.

[@cosmic.nadine]

So so grateful for Willow and her artistry

[@stillcelestial]

Her rock album was a piece of art

[@waddiewaddie2140]

Correction....."iiissssssss"

[@stillcelestial]

​@@waddiewaddie2140 Exactly! love that album

[@user-qe3mb7vl5b]

She’s so pretty

[@leogado13]

Such a great artist. I really admire how she is pushing herself to get better

[@divineservent]

Willow's coming more into her own and it's beautiful to see ❤

[@Directorkey718]

COPING MECHANISM is an excellent album, I really thought it was gonna go bigger!

[@TimeTravelerBrandon]

Love listening to her talk just as much as I love listening to her sing ❤

[@skysummer6429]

Willow talks like her Dad (hand gestures and all) but sounds like her Mom (esp. the young Jada)! :) ❤❤😊😊

[@palomapraise]

Thank you, Apple, for this interview.

[@Longleke.]

take a drink every time she says "100%"

[@Longleke.]

36 mins in. I'm tapping out. Can't take all these 100%'s

[@whitease7404]

I’ve seen a lot of interviews, this hands down the very best thus far.

[@KCNwokoye]

Willow is such an incredible Artist with a rich body of work. So happy she's thriving and finding peace in her Artistry.

[@ItsTchadTV]

I listen to Coping Mechanism almost everyday. It’s such an amazingly vulnerable album, super grateful for it ❤

[@fivebyfivesound]

That why most people show up to shows is for the presence of the performing artist is a lesson it took me 25-30 years to (mostly) fully realise. When embraced, it’s a clarifying and liberating truth! Deeply appreciated this interview 🙏🏽

[@JerettFranklin]

Her music is blowing everything out the water.

[@haruki.setshedi]

This is duality and it's not easy.

[@camandmoney1]

Willow is not only beautiful but she is a f$cking genius musically. She is well beyond her years intellectually.

[@waddiewaddie2140]

First off y'all did NOT have to have a key moment like that!😆! But I am so happy as a person that you went the direction that you felt in your heart, and that your yay's were yay's and ney's were SOLID!!! Good to see you💚🧡💛

[@RMSLeao]

this just kept getting better, I started the video not sure if I would go all the way then had a LOT of insights and existencial vibes from it (and good laughs) when it ended I was kinda shocked like "ALREADY?" and it just hit me this is almost 1h long wow

[@michellereyes3571]

She's a Scorpio queen, so eloquent and so smart! Love you, Willow!

[@aleckelly374]

The gemini rising comes out when she talks

[@LAVISHING]

Love this interview!

[@desireeanne916]

Three minutes in, and Willow’s true self is already shining through. I often share this wisdom with my clients when doing reiki, energy work.The moment you acknowledge those attachments that no longer benefit you is the moment your life truly begins to blossom. You're there Willow, remember to pause, observe and then act.

[@antoniorocha7884]

she's so talented

[@keniseshelton927]

So proud of her !

[@kai_with_an_e]

I can’t wait to hear it tomorrow! ❤

[@zuzasobieska4139]

Hopefully she'll visit UK, would love to see her live

[@chrisheeran]

Truly intelligent & vulnerably, open, mature discussion here. So rad.

[@TayloryvStudio]

I discovered coping mechanism late and was so shocked on why I hadn't heard about it, it is a MASTERPIECE so much emotion and angst in that album that I feel not everybody can express

[@zensualist]

When I was a teenager, in the 99-00, I loved rock music and was weird for it, especially in the south. I would have been absolutely obsessed with Willow back then. I've appreciated most of her projects so far. Beautiful talent.

[@premiumdre5228]

I love you, Willow 💜 I'm so excited to get into your album

[@micahangela794]

I love every second of this

[@marissamariscal4581]

Willow is on another level I’m just glad to experience and learn from her she truly is raising a generation

[@mandygarbarski]

Willow's last two albums are masterpieces. Both are in my top 10 albums of all time.

[@MrUnoBaby]

I love you willow keep doing what you do ❤ keep pushing the boundaries… and Coping Mechanisms hands down is a classic album 💿

[@user-hh6kf5gw8w]

21:36 - 21:47 I love you Willow and you are wise but we all have learning to do. Love and truth must be aligned. I can possibly understand you calling it 'love' to maintain the love frequency in your reality, but don't ignore the truth that also exists in your reality. Roc nation probably let it slide cus hey, your dad is a star. Let's not overlook that and call it love. Everything is love when we move with love, but that is called leverage. Ain't nothing wrong with being grateful about it

[@charitykewal9718]

I think they let it go because she was a child, Beyonce didn't want Blue to dance but let her because she really wanted to and was inspired by her that she worked harder because of the hate. I think that if Blue wouldn't want to do it anymore she would respect that

[@charitykewal9718]

and Willow expressed that she probably would've stopped music if she continued to be a child star which is understandable

[@user-hh6kf5gw8w]

@@charitykewal9718 I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I'm not sure if you know how contracts work or a business. I'm assuming she had obligations/requirements to meet regarding her music but said no. If it was any other artist with no leverage like having a celebrity dad, they would have no choice but to follow. This is not to discredit your point. I agree with the sentiment. It would be great if all artists *signed to labels* had creative control of their music and expression if they so chose to. But the truth is most, even if they wanted to, do not. That is why I said it's a bit blind sided to call that love. Everything is love when we move with love, but that is called leverage.

[@charitykewal9718]

@@user-hh6kf5gw8w yes she definitely got lucky because of who her parents are

[@jackandlill]

Agreed! I was thinking the same when she shared that part of her journey - I was like...ah.. We all know if she was some random artist - it would not have rolled that way. I'm happy for her that it did & I feel like she is certainly smart enough to realize this, perhaps in a different conversation she would concur?

[@haileyeremia6911]

We are being treated!! Love

[@actualakio8733]

I resonate with Willow on such a spiritual level.. thanks for this interview.

[@user-xo2px1nt3b]

I am deeply in love and 100% crying! Best podcast I could ever listen.❤‍🔥

[@DevonToran]

I love how right off the bat they speak about how challenging her evolution in music keeps becoming. Willows music is so different than anything I hear generally and it’s not just for the sake of being different. The intention is so rich and potent in alllllll of her music

[@Venus_Beaver]

What a great conversation. Zane is a fantastic interviewer and Willow is amazing and so authentic

[@Herzeleid1985]

💯

[@tinab8466]

Willow is gorgeous.

[@robertnunez657]

She's put in the work & is beyond (independently) talented

[@just_quianna]

Willow thank you for this interview as a creative I truly needed to hear every word🥺❤️

[@martakomasko]

Beautiful conversation big props to Zane Lowe for being so insightful and bringing out the best in her!

[@msdarlislinnvanb9819]

Didnt even watch yet clicked on the video snd hit like based on this is my favorite interviewer and we are sure to get intelligent, interesting questions and whoever he is talking to gets respected and plenty of time to both answer and be a real part of the interview and direction. Second reason is my growing like, admiration and respect for Willow. She is very talented, entertaining and it's exciting watching her grow and waiting for what she does next. I actually do care about the direction her career and she grows in.

[@chefwhitney7793]

This album closed a portal. Im so relieved

[@Xelanderthomas]

her self awareness is next level

[@lisalee3067]

She’s so beautiful and a true artist.

[@GoddessKry]

Somehow I heard the singles from coping mechanism in 2022 but missed the album release until a few weeks ago and omg, it so rare when I can say I love every song on the album

[@dearbreanna]

Empathogen is amazing. Album of the year amazing.

[@destinypalin5657]

Sending love ❤️

[@grainofsalt2113]

she is way ahead of her time

[@playitloudmusicfanpage1868]

Incredible.

[@MALIAMAVideos]

I love zane. I love willow. I loved this interview

[@noahgossett6134]

Her live intimate show last week was blown out the water and amazing. Cant get enough of her style. Her beauty and talent are so parallel and outstanding 😍💯

[@knyx9111]

I love her so much‼️❤️

[@josalalvani3426]

as a young musician, this interview has really made me see things in a different light. thank you Zane and Willow for this!! and thank you apple :)

[@waddiewaddie2140]

100%

[@timhensley3695]

I love her so much ❤❤❤ I hope she has a long healthy life filled with Joy ❤ I been watching her daddy since i was little ❤

[@fegrace_1]

I appreciate that Willow is an artist! She makes music to that she loves and thought people keeping trying to put her in a box and marry her to one genre each album is an extension of her musical interest, diverse taste, and evolving style! Yes, there are some people that listen to one genre or one musician. BUT, there are even more people that love variety, appreciate different sounds and branches of music…. I am glad that she is going down her own path and sharing what she loves unapologetically!

[@fabianofarias6927]

shes so sweet

[@karmaremusic]

Yeah 50:46 i totally agree. I feel like this album is a combo of all of willows vibes so far. Ardipethicus, the 1st,… all her albums are a culmination of this one. For sure

[@k_spats]

*The Joy is in the Journey!*