I Am Not My Hair Lyrics - Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship - India Arie

(feat. Akon) 

[Verse 1: Akon] 

Konvict 

Konvict Music uh huh 

See I can kinda 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 

Then I 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 

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[Verse 2: India.Arie] 

Little girl with the press and curl 

Age eight I got a Jheri curl 

Thirteen 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 woman that I am inside 

Ninety-seven dreadlocks all gone 

I looked in the mirror 

For the first time and saw that HEY... 

Photos 

[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 

[Verse 3: India.Arie] 

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 its not what's on your head 

Its what's underneath and say HEY... 

[Chorus] 

[Verse 4: Akon] 

Who cares if you dont like that 

With nothin to lose posted with the wave cap 

And the cops wanna harass cuz I got braids 

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 cuz... 

[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) 

[Verse 5: India.Arie] 

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 HEY... 

[Chorus: til fade]