Will Smith is letting the music talk louder than ever. On his brand-new album Based on a True Story, the legendary rapper-turned-actor dives headfirst into the conversations people been having behind his back—from the viral Oscars slap to the headlines around his marriage with Jada Pinkett-Smith.
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In true Fresh Prince style, the album kicks off with a barbershop-style skit that sounds like it’s straight outta South Philly—raw, real, and unfiltered. “Him and Jada both crazy, girl. What you talking about?” says one character in the intro, voiced by comedian B. Simone. Another clown adds: “He gon’ drop a new record like we all gon’ forget.” These voices, crafted like online trolls, are exactly what Will’s addressing—and dismissing—with bars and beats.
He doesn’t shy away from the moment that had everybody talking. That infamous Oscars slap? Yeah, he knows we saw it. But through this project, Will seems to say, “Y’all talked enough. Now let me speak.”
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Will makes it real clear: his relationship with Jada is complicated, and he ain’t sugarcoating it. On “You Lookin’ For Me?”—the second track on the album—he raps, “Jada got my DMs hot with bodies” before shutting it down with, “Mind your business.” That’s grown man energy right there.
It’s the type of honesty fans been craving from him, especially after years of cryptic interviews, Red Table Talks, and social media speculation. And while some might’ve expected an apology tour, Will’s not giving that. Instead, he’s embracing the chaos and showing he can still spit, storytelling his way through real-life drama.
He’s flipping the narrative, not just reacting to it. On this record, it ain’t just about clapping back—it’s about owning the moment. At 56 years old, and two decades out the rap game, the man still got it.
One thing’s for sure—Based on a True Story ain’t playing it safe. Between trap drums, neo-soul melodies, and gospel flourishes, Will proves he’s still versatile. And throughout the 14-track album, a commanding preacher interlude pops up, delivering heavy commentary with drawling conviction. It’s theatrical, it’s bold, and it ties the whole theme together.
From the flamenco spice on “First Love” (featuring India Martínez) to the sun-soaked soul on “Hard Times (Smile)” with Teyana Taylor, this album showcases a range of sounds that keep you guessing. “Tantrum,” featuring Joyner Lucas, and “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean, are standouts where Will truly goes off.
