Will Smith is officially back in the studio and ready to make waves in the music world once again. The multi-talented actor, producer, and rapper announced on Sunday that his long-awaited album, Based On A True Story, will drop in just two weeks—on March 28.
In an Instagram post to his 69.5 million followers, Smith shared his excitement, writing, “It’s OFFICIAL!! My new album, Based On A True Story, drops on March 28. TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave. Been working on this project for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all 🫶🏾.”
The 14-track album marks a major milestone in Smith’s musical journey and brings him back together with legendary producer DJ Jazzy Jeff. The album will also feature collaborations with artists like Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross. Fans got a taste of what’s to come when Smith released the single “Beautiful Scars” in January, which features Big Sean and Obangain.
Smith’s return to hip-hop is a significant moment, as it comes after a two-decade break from the music scene. In the late 1980s, he rose to fame as half of the iconic duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Their classic hits, including “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble,” made waves in both music and pop culture, with their music videos enjoying heavy rotation on MTV.
As Smith’s acting career skyrocketed, his music didn’t fall by the wayside. His role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air featured his rap skills, and blockbuster movies like Men in Black and Wild Wild West showcased his music in the form of catchy title tracks. His 1997 album Big Willie Style was a defining moment in his hip-hop career, and he followed it with three more albums: Willennium (1999), Born to Reign (2002), and Lost and Found (2005), before stepping away from music to focus on film.
Smith’s entertainment career has seen him rise to global stardom, earning accolades like the Oscar for King Richard in 2021. However, he’s also worked to rebuild his public image following the shocking moment at the 2022 Academy Awards, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock in response to a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. That incident led to a 10-year ban from the Oscars and sparked significant public debate.
