Will Smith is back in the music game, and this time, he’s not going it alone. Before working on his new album Based on a True Story, the actor turned rapper called up two major music icons for advice.
“I made two phone calls before I started,” Will shared in a recent interview with Sway in the Morning. “I talked to Jay and Kendrick.”
Jay-Z, who’s been a guiding force in the music industry for decades, gave him one crucial piece of advice: “Don’t fake your story.”
For Will, it was a wake-up call. “He said, ‘You’ve got to say what’s true for you,'” Will explained. “You’ll see younger rappers living certain ways, but if it’s not your truth, don’t try to adopt it.” Jay-Z’s words not only gave Will clarity, but also inspired the title of the album.
As for Kendrick Lamar, Will said his advice was just as powerful. “Kendrick told me, ‘Say that s— you’ve always been f—— scared to say.’” Will laughed. “It was all about being honest with myself.”
Both legends had one thing in common: make music that’s authentic to you. Forget about trying to please everyone. Kendrick’s message? “Make the record you want to make, not the one you think people will like.”
Will’s new album, which hits the streets March 28, is highly anticipated. “It’s OFFICIAL!! My new album Based on a True Story drops March 28. TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave,” he posted on Instagram. “Been working on this project for a minute, and I’m itching to get it out to y’all.”
The 14-track album marks Will’s return to music after his 2005 album Lost and Found. Collaborating with old friends like DJ Jazzy Jeff, along with fresh voices like Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross, Will’s new project promises to be a mix of nostalgia and raw truth.
Will’s music takes a more personal turn, touching on his controversial Oscars moment in 2022. The album’s first two songs dive into the aftermath of the infamous slap that had everyone talking. In Int. Barbershop — Day, Will raps about being “canceled” and the media backlash, while You Lookin’ For Me? has him rapping about overcoming the drama and rising back to the top.
From a star-studded tracklist to raw honesty, Will Smith’s Based on a True Story is a reflection of his journey, both in music and life. The album is available now—no fake stories here.
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