Will Smith is making his return to the rap game.
New Album Announcement
The Oscar-winning actor and rapper has announced the upcoming release of his new LP, Based On A True Story, Billboard reports. Scheduled to drop in March, the album will be Smith’s first full-length project since Lost and Found in 2005. It marks the first installment in a three-part series that he plans to release through SLANG Recordings.
First Single and Collaborations
The album’s first single, Beautiful Scars, features Big Sean and Obanga, and is produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton. The visual accompanying the track sees Will and Sean donning Matrix-inspired outfits.
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Smith first teased his new project last year with You Can Make It featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. The song became his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.
Additional tracks include Work of Art with Russ, featuring Smith’s son Jaden, and TANTRUM with Joyner Lucas. According to reports, all four songs will be part of what is described as Smith’s most personal and introspective album to date.
Live Performances and Upcoming Shows
Smith has tested his new material with live audiences, performing two sold-out shows in December at The Observatory North Park in San Diego. He is also set to headline the Positiv Festival in France on July 31.
Joyner Lucas confirmed his involvement in the project, taking to social media in September 2023 to share his excitement about working with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star.
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“Dear hero. I never thought I’d ever meet you. Still trips me out that I grew up idolizing you, to then me making a record about my admiration and respect for you,” Lucas wrote. “Then you asking me to create a whole album with you.”
Will Smith’s Creative Revival
Smith has expressed his enthusiasm for getting back into live performances.
“Getting back out city to city, seeing people and feeling the energy keeps me creatively alive,” he explained. “Like how they’re doing the kick drums a little different in Chicago than in other places; like what’s happening with Afrobeats. I’m excited to go around the world and meet artists.”
He added, “I’m more artistic than I’ve ever been, a better actor than I’ve ever been, a better poet than I’ve ever been. I’m going to be better on stage than I’ve ever been, and I’m just on fire about this next creative phase of my life and career.”
