In the summer of 2010, Willow's mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, revealed on Lopez Tonight that her daughter was recording an album.

[5][6][7] Several celebrities applauded the new single on Twitter, including Ciara, Brandy, Solange Knowles, Britney Spears, and Alfredo Flores.

[17] CBC said while the song may not be deep, it was the best to be expected from a "fourth grade fashionista", commenting the track was more "schoolyard friendly" than any music released by Miley Cyrus.

[10] The Guardian described the track as "a pretty good R&B belter in the same vein as Rihanna, all heavily treated vocals and huge juddering beats".

[32] The video begins in a futuristic cafeteria with kids, dubbed the "Warriorettes",[33] sitting down at grey tables in white clothing.

[34] Willow enters the room in colorful attire (including a blue vest, orange pants and a belt with her name on it, rhinestones on her lips and extravagant nail tips).

The last scenes shows Willow, wearing puff braids and a yellow jumpsuit, trying to get her backup singers to dance in a classroom, which is intercut with more paint-splashing scenes as the dancers, including her brother Jaden and actor Cameron Boyce,[36] teachers, the janitor, an elderly lady, and a toddler dance.

[37] Carina Adly MacKenzie of Zap2it said while the song took everyone by surprise, that the video was "even more awesome", commenting, "we probably shouldn't be shocked that Willow has more charisma in her pinky finger than half the artists twice her age.

"[38] Ryan Brockington of The New York Post reviewed the video positively, stating that "director Ray Kay kept it very young and colorful, the complete opposite of the very grown up sounding track.

"[39] A writer for Idolator said that Willow, in the video, "has transcended from Jada and Will Smith's 9-year-old kiddo to a legitimate star", noting, "the killer outfits, fun classroom dance pieces and, yes, tons of hair whipping -- with paint!

"[40] A Celebuzz writer said that Willow "kills it with some seriously fierce bling, dance moves and, of course, intense hair whipping".

[41] Melinda Newman of HitFix commented, "As Miley Cyrus gets ready to become an adult, we can fill that spot with Willow", complimenting her charisma and her "full-blown teen" attitude.

[42] Matt Donnelly of The Los Angeles Times said that with the release, the singer "introduces to us a pre-preteen firecracker who lives up to her impeccable breeding and perhaps takes the legacy one step further".

[43] Admitting she originally dismissed the song and video, due to Willow's quick rise to fame and the oversexualized nature of pop music, Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly commented: "this clip is about to put a boom in the chiropracting industry (with possible ancillary benefits for housepaint), because girl can snap it.

Music said that "among the many dancers in the clip", Willow "shines as the clear breakout star", calling the video a "smash", and commented that "she pulls it off without need for cameo appearances from her famous parents.

"[45] Veronica Miller of NPR said that it wasn't the hairstyles that made the clip, but "the sheer fearlessness with which young Willow is singing, dancing and whipping", stating she has "just enough sass and pluck and confidence to hold our attention and leave us wanting more".

The original Sesame Street clip featured a puppet portrayed as a young black girl proud of her hair.

[46] On the single's video, Miller said, "Little Willow is operating with a sort of empowerment that grown women can sense, admire, and in some cases, envy", stating, "not many girls are taught that it's OK to openly love and affirm yourself.