[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

[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...

[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]