Will Smith’s First Album In 20 Years Gets Release Date

deadline.com:

The countdown to Will Smith‘s first album since the Bush administration is on. The once-and-current rapper has slapped together five previously released singles and added nine other tracks for Based on a True Story, which streets on March 28.

It’s his first new disc since 2005’s Lost and Found, which like three of his other four solo sets, reached the Top 10. “It’s OFFICIAL!!” the erstwhile Fresh Prince wrote on Instagram. “My new album Based On A True Story drops March 28.

TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave. Been working on this project for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all.” Smith hinted that Based on a True Story is the first of an album trilogy, hence the subtitle Season 1: R.I.T.W.: The set on indie Slang Records features several songs released in 2024 — “Tantrum,” “Work of Art,” “First Love” and “You Can Make It” — and this year’s “Beautiful Scars.” Among the other Based on a True Story tracks are album opener “Int.

Barbershop Day,” featuring Smith’s old rap partner DJ Jazzy Jeff along with Simone, and “Hard Times,” with Jac Ross. The album also includes “Rave in the Wasteland,” “You Lookin’ for Me?” and “Make It Look Easy.” Watch the four-time Grammy winner and Oscar winner’s debut performance of the hip-hop/gospel song “You Can Make It” from the 2024 BET Awards here: Smith got his start as part of the ’80s rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, which broke out with the 1988 sophomore album He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper that featured a pair of Top 20 pop singles in “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “A Nightmare on My Street.” After Smith began his run starring on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990, the duo had their biggest hit with “Summertime,” which reach No.