‘I couldn’t be more proud’

Willow Smith has once again proven that her artistry is timeless and rooted in authenticity. The singer-songwriter celebrated a major milestone, showcasing her skills and taking a look back at her 2015 debut album ‘Ardipithecus.’

Willow celebrated that her first project has officially gone Gold. She took to social media to share an emotional message, written as a love letter to her younger self and her supporters.

“I dropped this album when I was 14 and every song is produced by me except for the last 4 songs which are produced by my big brother @treysmithofficial and obvi ‘Wait A Minute’ which was produced by @jameschulrim,” she wrote. “I couldn’t be more proud!”

In the post, she shared a clip of herself strumming her guitar, smiling as she performed an acoustic version of one of her songs. Her first project was experimental, introspective, and rooted in nature and self-discovery.

© WillowSmith/Instagram

She also dived into the deeper meaning behind the project’s name. Ardipithecus ramidus, an early hominin species that lived around 4.4 million years ago, represents a sketch of early humanity. Willow used this metaphor to frame her album as a transitional chapter, a sonic exploration of growth, identity, and evolution.

© WillowSmith/Instagram

Released when she was just 14, ‘Ardipithecus’ stood out for its bold divergence from mainstream pop and its raw, experimental sound. It showcased a young artist unafraid to break molds, writing and producing much of the album herself.

© WillowSmith/Instagram

Now, years later, fans are circling back to celebrate the album’s legacy. “God, what an album,” one person wrote, while someone else commented, “You deserve everything! You’re an amazing musician, you’re GOLD, remember that,” adding, “Well deserved!”

The outpouring of love speaks to the lasting impact of Willow’s first album, which continues to resonate with listeners for its honesty and innovation. In Willow’s own words, the album represents a “rough draft” or a sketch of the artist she was becoming, much like the ancient hominin it’s named after, ‘Ardipithecus’ may not have looked or sounded like anything familiar at the time, but it set the stage for everything that followed in her successful career.