Will Smith has shared invaluable advice he received from hip hop icons, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, as he embarked on his return to music after two decades.
Image: Instagram/Will Smith
Will Smith has shared invaluable advice he received from hip hop icons, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar as he embarked on his return to music after two decades.
The actor and rapper, known for his role in "Men In Black," released his new album, "Based on a True Story”, on Friday, March 28, a significant milestone as it marks his first full-length record since "Lost And Found" in 2005.
During an appearance on the popular radio show "Sway In The Morning", Smith spoke candidly about his journey back into the music industry.
The 56-year-old entertainer reached out to both Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar for guidance, hoping to navigate the landscape of modern hip hop authentically.
Their advice resonated deeply with Smith and significantly inspired the themes and direction of his new album.
“Jay said, ‘Don’t fake your story,’” Smith recounted. “He was like, ‘You gotta say what’s true for you.’”
This pivotal piece of advice encouraged Smith to embrace his own experiences rather than mimicking the lifestyles of younger rappers, ultimately leading to the album's title.
The emphasis on authenticity served as a guiding principle for Smith, inspiring him to share his narrative genuinely.
Lamar reinforced this sentiment by urging Smith to explore uncharted territory in his lyrics. “Say that sh*t you’ve always been f*cking scared to say,”
Smith recalled, summarising Lamar’s empowering suggestion. This call to honesty pushed Smith to create a project that is distinctly his, one that doesn’t conform to external expectations or notions of what his music should be.
The 14-track album features collaborations with notable artists like Teyana Taylor and social media influencer B. Simone, alongside longtime friend DJ Jazzy Jeff.
The album opens with “Int. Barbershop - Day”, where Smith addresses the controversies that have shadowed his career, including his tumultuous relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith and the infamous incident with Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards.
During that pivotal moment, after a heated confrontation with Rock, Smith returned to his seat and shouted, "Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!"
This incident blemished his public persona, culminating in a decade-long ban from the awards. In "Int. Barbershop - Day”, Smith acknowledges the backlash he has faced, reflecting on the complexities of being perceived as “cancelled” by the industry.
His lyrics touch on race and expectations, revealing layers of his struggles: "I heard he won the Oscar, but he had to give it back / And you know they only made him do that s**t because he’s Black."
The new album signifies not just a musical comeback but also a profound exploration of self-identity, truth, and resilience in an era that often challenges authenticity.