Will Smith has shared the valuable advice given to him by JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar before embarking on his musical comeback.
The Hollywood actor and rapper released his first album in two decades, Based On A True Story, which dropped on March 28. In a recent interview on Sway In The Morning on SiriusXM, Smith revealed that he sought advice from two rap icons—JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar—before diving back into the music scene. Both artists, despite their different approaches, offered him remarkably similar guidance.
"I made two phone calls," Smith said, recalling his conversations. "I talked to Jay and I talked to Kendrick, asking, ‘What’s the advice?’”
JAY-Z’s counsel focused on authenticity. “He said, ‘Don’t fake your story,’” Smith recalled. “‘You gotta say what’s true for you. Be true to your story.’” This advice stuck with Smith, influencing the concept behind his upcoming album. “That’s where I got the Based On A True Story from Jay,” Smith explained.
Kendrick Lamar's advice mirrored JAY-Z's in essence, even if it was phrased differently. "He said, ‘Man, just say that s### you always been f###### scared to say,’” Smith shared, acknowledging the challenge that came with being so open and honest. "It was scary, right? To just, like, say it," Smith admitted.
Instead of crafting his music to please others or chasing trends, Smith focused on creating something that feels authentic to him. “Make the record you want to make,” he said. “Don’t try to make the record that you think people will like you for. Make the one that’s authentic.”
Smith’s Based On A True Story features 14 tracks and guest appearances from notable artists such as his son Jaden, Big Sean, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Teyana Taylor.
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