Will Smith Officially Back Rapping With Album Announcement

Will Smith Returns to the Mic

The Fresh Prince is officially back. Will Smith is making his long-awaited return to rapping, and this time, it’s for real. Over the past few years, the Oscar winner has teased new music, dropping guest verses and even a few solo tracks. However, it remained unclear whether he would fully commit to an album after nearly two decades. That speculation ended on Thursday, as Smith confirmed that a new album is on the way, and fans won’t have to wait long to hear it.

Smith’s comeback album, Based on a True Story, will be his first full-length project since Lost and Found in 2005. Alongside the announcement, he dropped the lead single, Beautiful Scars, which features OBanga and Big Sean. The latter even teased the track with a Matrix-style promo video earlier in the week. While the album doesn’t have an official release date yet, Uproxx reports that it is set to drop sometime in March. That means brand new Will Smith tracks are just around the corner.

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Based on a True Story Will Feature Russ and Big Sean

The album will also include some of Smith’s previously released singles from recent years. Tracks like You Can Make It, Tantrum, and Work of Art are all set to appear on the project. Work of Art features Russ and Smith’s son, Jaden, while Tantrum boasts a verse from Joyner Lucas. Smith and Lucas have collaborated before, with Smith appearing on the remix of Lucas’ single Will.

The overall tone of these singles leans toward positivity and self-reflection. Since his controversial Oscars incident involving Chris Rock, Smith has been on a redemption arc, seeking to rebrand himself. Artists like Russ and Lucas, known for their introspective and motivational lyrics, seem to be helping Smith shape his musical comeback. Big Sean also fits the mold, as his last album, Better Me Than You, embraced a mature, uplifting approach.

It’s been fascinating to see how Smith’s rap style has evolved since his last album, and fans are eager to see what other big names might appear on the final tracklist. Lots of questions remain, but one thing is certain—Will Smith’s return to music is happening, and it’s happening soon.