[00:02.069][Akon: Verse 1]
[00:02.567]Konvict
[00:07.752]Konvict Music uh huh
[00:10.751]
[00:13.002]See I can kind of recall a lil ways back
[00:15.500]Small tryin to ball always been black
[00:17.750]And my hair I tried it all I even went flat
[00:20.003]Had a gummy curled on top and all that crap (o oh)
[00:23.505]Just tryin to be appreciated
[00:25.255]Nappy headed brothers never had no ladies
[00:28.000]Never hit the barber shop real quick
[00:30.000]Had a mini lil twist and it drove her crazy (crazy)
[00:33.251]Then I couldnt get no job
[00:35.002]Cuz corporate wouldn't hire no dreadlocks
[00:38.001]Then I thought about my dogs on the block
[00:39.753]Kinda understand why they chose to steal and rob
[00:42.503]Was it the hair that got me this far?
[00:45.001]All these girls these cribs these cars?
[00:47.500]I hate to say it but it seem so flawed
[00:49.752]Success didnt come til I cut it all off
[00:52.255][India.Arie: Verse 1]
[00:52.500]Little girl with the press and curl
[00:54.753]Age eight I got a Jheri curl
[00:57.254]Thirteen and I got a relaxer
[00:59.505]I was a source of so much laughter
[01:02.253]At fifteen when it all broke off
[01:04.502]Eighteen and I went all natural
[01:07.000]February two thousand and two
[01:09.250]I went on and did
[01:10.500]What I had to do
[01:11.751]Because it was time to change my life
[01:14.255]To become the women that I am inside
[01:16.750]Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone
[01:19.001]I looked in the mirror
[01:20.002]For the first time and saw that HEY,
[01:22.003][Chorus]
[01:22.255]I am not my hair
[01:25.003]I am not this skin
[01:27.254]I am not your expectations no no
[01:32.253]I am not my hair
[01:34.503]I am not this skin
[01:37.255]I am a soul that lives within
[01:41.505][India.Arie: Verse 2]
[01:41.750]Good hair means curls and waves
[01:43.500]Bad hair means you look like a slave
[01:46.005]At the turn of the century
[01:48.005]It's time for us to redefine who we be
[01:50.755]You can shave it off
[01:51.501]Like a South African beauty
[01:53.255]Or get in on lock
[01:54.000]Like Bob Marley
[01:55.505]You can rock it straight
[01:56.750]Like Oprah Winfrey
[01:58.002]If it's not what's on your head
[01:59.002]It's what's underneath and say HEY,
[02:01.255][Chorus]
[02:01.754]I am not my hair
[02:04.002]I am not this skin
[02:06.501]I am not your expectations no no
[02:11.253]I am not my hair
[02:13.755]I am not this skin
[02:16.255]I am a soul that lives within
[02:20.503][Akon: Verse 2]
[02:20.755]Who cares if you don't like that
[02:22.255]With nothin to lose postin with the wave cap
[02:24.753]And the cops want to harass because I got waves
[02:27.500]Ain't see nothin like that in all my days (o oh)
[02:30.505]And you gotta change all this feelings
[02:32.250]They be judging one another by their appearance
[02:35.004]Yes India, i feel ya girl
[02:36.751]Now go 'head talk to the rest of the world because,
[02:39.500][Bridge]
[02:40.752](Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[02:41.750]Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
[02:44.504](Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[02:46.750]Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh
[02:49.502](Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[02:51.504]Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
[02:54.004](Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[02:56.252]I am expressing my creativity,
[02:59.003](Whoa, whoa, whoa)
[03:00.001][India.Arie: Verse 3]
[03:01.443]Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
[03:02.193]Took away her crown and glory
[03:04.194]She promised God if she was to survive
[03:06.442]She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
[03:09.447]On national television
[03:11.697]Her diamond eyes are sparkling
[03:14.196]Bald headed like a full moon shining
[03:16.442]Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY,
[03:19.697][Chorus til fade]