Will Smith's first studio album since 2005's Lost and Found, Based on a True Story, was released on Friday, thus ending his two-decade musical hiatus. The 13-track album is a frank confessional from an artist reestablishing his reputation after the Oscars scandal, as well as a nostalgic return to his Fresh Prince image.
Smith combines classic flows with contemporary colleagues including Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, and son Jaden Smith, while reuniting with DJ Jazzy Jeff, his initial collaborator from 1980s hip-hop fame. Themes of resiliency are alluded to in pre-release tracks including "You Can Make It" and "Beautiful Scars." Smith called the album "surgery on my soul" in an Instagram peek.
Smith acknowledged the 2022 Academy Awards event that ruined his career, saying, "The past few years forced me to excavate who I truly am beneath the accolades and… mistakes." "This is about telling the truth through beats, not about bringing back the glory of the past."
The album is released as Smith gets ready for a summer tour of Europe, gauging public acceptance of his artistic return in the face of constant criticism. Industry experts identify the difficulty: Smith's 55-year-old viewpoint is very different from current rap trends, even while nostalgia for the streaming period feeds interest in '90s hip-hop icons.
The album's approach was determined by a crucial studio session with Jay-Z. "Younger rappers' truths aren't yours," he informed me. In a radio interview, Smith said, "Own your story—the victories, the slap, everything." The album's title and ethos were inspired by that guidance, which also woven his story of being a pariah into songs like "Tantrum," which fans believe alludes to his notorious Oscars outburst.
The project, which was issued by independent label Slang Records, has drawn criticism for its potential to dispel stereotypes. However, Smith's vulnerability is praised by early listeners, especially in father-son partnerships with Jaden. "This isn't the Will who chased chart-toppers," one admirer wrote on Twitter. The man who made it through them is the one.
Smith is more concerned with musical reinvention than image restoration, as seen by the promotional events' noticeable avoidance of Oscar-themed press. "The greatest creative chapter starts now – no filters, no masks," he said in the promo for his album.