Will Smith Releases ‘Based On a True Story,’ His First Album in 20 Years

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20 long years since I last dropped an album, but here I am, back in the game! Last Friday, I unveiled “Based On a True Story,” my much-anticipated return to hip hop, and it feels great to be here again as a fan of my own music.

Twenty years after my last album “Lost and Found. Based On a True Story” dropped, I’ve returned with a new masterpiece, and it feels amazing! I’ve been teasing fans with some fantastic singles like “Beautiful Scars” (with Big Sean), “First Love,” “You Can Make It,” “Tantrum,” and “Work of Art.” This album brings me back together with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, and we’ve also collaborated with Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, and my son, Jaden Smith. As The Hollywood Reporter announced last year, I’m excited to share this project through a distribution deal with the indie label Slang Records. Can’t wait for you all to hear it!

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Over the last couple of years, I’ve been on a profound journey of self-discovery, uncovering my authentic self. The making of this album has given me an unprecedented opportunity to be brutally honest with myself and embrace who I truly am. This creative phase is about to be the most artistically fulfilling period in my entire career.

Over the last few years, Smith’s life has been quite dynamic due to an ongoing process of restoring his public image following the controversial incident at the 2022 Academy Awards. This event took place when he physically assaulted Chris Rock on stage in response to a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel excited about the fact that ol’ Smith is still keeping himself engrossed with fresh tunes! Just last month, there was an announcement about him embarking on an international tour, which will traverse a significant portion of Europe later this summer. The curiosity is high regarding the response to his new music, considering it’s been a while since he’s been a primary studio artist. On a recent episode of Sway in the Morning, Smith shared some wisdom he received from Jay Z and Kendrick Lamar about recording this project.

Smith shared that Jay advised him to speak honestly about his own experiences and not envy the lifestyle of younger rappers. He emphasized, ‘Stick to your story. Share your story.’ It was this advice that inspired Smith to title his work as ‘Based on a True Story,’ which he received from Jay.

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2025-03-28 07:24