Will Smith has unveiled the highly anticipated release date of his latest album, marking his triumphant return to the hip-hop realm after an absence of two decades. On Sunday, the versatile actor-rapper-producer took to Instagram to share the thrilling news, revealing that his new album is set to drop in just two weeks' time.
"It's OFFICIAL!! My new album, 'Based On A True Story,' will hit the shelves on March 28. TWO WEEKS!! Don't forget to presave it. I've been pouring my heart and soul into this project for quite some time, and I can't wait to share it with all of you," Smith excitedly announced to his 69.5 million loyal followers on the social media platform.
The 14-track masterpiece will see Smith reuniting with DJ Jazzy Jeff and collaborating with talents such as Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross. Earlier in January, Smith had released a single titled "Beautiful Scars," featuring Big Sean and Obangain, whetting fans' appetites for more.
As an iconic figure in both comedy and drama, and an Oscar winner for his role in 'King Richard' (2021), Smith has evolved into a multidimensional pop culture phenomenon, with his journey starting in the world of rap music. In the late 1980s, he emerged onto the burgeoning hip-hop scene as half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, delivering instant classics like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble," both accompanied by music videos that enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV.
Smith's long-running and beloved NBC sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' showcased his rapping skills, and as his Hollywood career soared, his music career flourished in tandem. At various points, his franchise and Hollywood blockbusters, such as 'Wild Wild West' and 'Men in Black,' featured a title track performed by Smith. His hip-hop career culminated with the release of 'Big Willie Style' in 1997, followed by three more albums – 'Willennium' (1999), 'Born to Reign' (2002), and 'Lost and Found' (2005) – before he stepped away from the mic to concentrate on his film career as an actor and producer.
For decades, Smith has been an entertainment icon. However, for many, he is still in the process of rehabilitating his reputation following the shocking incident at the 2022 Academy Awards. During this infamous moment, Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face in response to a joke the comedian made about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. The aftermath of this moment tarnished Smith's reputation and resulted in a 10-year ban from the Oscars.
