North West, the 12-year-old daughter of reality TV mogul Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West, has fired back at critics of her fashion choices with a new musical release. The tween, who has been at the centre of media attention for her apparent dermal piercings, has dropped a track addressing the controversy head-on.
A Musical Retort to Critics
The song, titled Piercing on My Hand (Ye Version), was co-written with her father, Kanye West. It serves as North's direct response to the wave of negative comments she has received online regarding her personal style, particularly her piercings. She posted a clip of the track on Tuesday, 13th January, which coincided with her sister Chicago's eighth birthday.
In the lyrics, North rhymes: 'Piercing on my hand, the other holding bands, no friends, just filter, you wouldn’t understand.' She further references school and her growing collection of body art, rapping, 'Went to school for two days, then I got banned/Skipping school, yeah, I do it on the daily. Got some new rings, yeah, they’re so crazy.' The verse continues with a defiant tone: 'You’re so angry that I’m so mainstream. I’m not sure I’m crazy/I want more piercings and tats.'
The Piercing Debate Intensifies
This musical release follows recent speculation about North's body modifications. Last August, she first revealed what appeared to be a dermal piercing on her right middle finger, featuring two small silver balls below the knuckle. Dermal piercings differ from traditional ones as they are anchored under the skin's surface.
The debate escalated this week when North shared a photo to her Instagram Stories showing what looked like two additional dermal piercings on her left middle and ring fingers. In the image, she posed with a fist towards the camera, sporting long blue hair, a Balenciaga T-shirt, sunglasses, and a diamond skull necklace gifted by her mother.
It remains unconfirmed whether these piercings are genuine or temporary, glue-on versions. However, the public reaction has been swift, with many fans expressing concern over the potential health risks for someone so young, including infection, scarring, and allergic reactions.
Backlash and Clapbacks
Much of the criticism has been directed at Kim Kardashian, with critics questioning her parenting for allowing such procedures. North has not shied away from the controversy. Prior to the song's release, she posted a video lip-syncing to lyrics that said, 'Why are you crying? How old are you? Just pull it together,' captioned: 'This is for everyone that's mad over a finger piercing.'
North's journey with body modification is not entirely new; she first had her ears pierced for her first birthday in 2014 and has since expanded her collection. Last month, she also showcased diamond 'shark teeth' grillz with celebrity jeweller Johnny Dang. The ongoing saga highlights the intense scrutiny faced by celebrity children and their personal expressions of style, sparking conversations about autonomy, parenting, and the pressures of growing up in the public eye.
