Will Smith has made his highly anticipated return to the music scene with Based on a True Story, his first album in 20 years, released on Friday.
The record features notable collaborations and marks his first full-length album since Lost and Found in 2005.Ahead of the album's release, Smith teased the project with several singles, including "Beautiful Scars" featuring Big Sean, "First Love," "You Can Make It," "Tantrum," and "Work of Art." Based on a True Story also sees Smith reunite with DJ Jazzy Jeff, with additional guest appearances from Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, and Smith's son, Jaden Smith.
The album’s release comes two decades after Lost and Found, making this a significant moment in Smith’s musical career. Smith had signed a distribution deal with Slang Records for the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In a teaser video posted to Instagram, Smith shared that the album's creation process was a journey of self-reflection and authenticity. "The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am," he said. "This is about to be the greatest artistic creative period of my entire life."
Smith's personal life has been a focal point in recent years, especially following the infamous slap incident at the 2022 Academy Awards, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Despite the controversy, Smith remains focused on his career, including announcing an upcoming European tour set to begin this summer.
Smith's return to music has stirred anticipation, but it's uncertain how the public will respond after such a long hiatus from his recording career. His new album represents a key chapter in both his musical comeback and personal recovery.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ