Will Smith’s 20-Year Hiatus Ends with New Album Release
After a two-decade hiatus from full-length albums, Will Smith is strutting back into the music scene, announcing the release of his new album, *Based on a True Story*, set to drop on March 28. Smith’s last musical endeavor was the 2005 album *Lost and Found*, which, let’s face it, feels like a lifetime ago in the fast-paced world of entertainment.
The forthcoming album boasts 14 tracks, showcasing a star-studded roster of collaborators, including longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, R&B sensation Teyana Taylor, and emerging artist Jac Ross. Smith took to Instagram to share his excitement, declaring, “It’s OFFICIAL!! 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 ????????.”
This isn’t just a casual comeback; it’s a deeply personal project for the multi-talented entertainer. Smith previously revealed in a May 2024 interview with *Extra* that he spent the last year and a half crafting what he believes to be his most profound and personal music to date. “Without question, the most personal and powerful music that I’ve ever made,” he said, hinting at a creative renaissance after years of focusing largely on his acting career.
Fans have already gotten a taste of the new album with singles like “Beautiful Scars,” featuring Big Sean, which generated buzz when the music video featured Smith channeling Neo from *The Matrix*. This playful nod to his past roles—remember, he famously turned down the role of Neo—adds an intriguing layer to his artistic expression. Other singles like “Work of Art,” featuring his son Jaden Smith, and “Tantrum,” featuring Joyner Lucas, have also been released in anticipation of the album.
In a delightful twist of nostalgia, Smith reunited with his *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* co-star Tatyana Ali to film a version of Doechii’s “Anxiety” social media challenge, bringing back dance moves reminiscent of their iconic show. The caption on Smith’s Instagram video cheekily noted, “Waited 35 years for this dance to trend.” Clearly, the man knows how to blend the past with the present, and fans are here for it.
Get ready to pre-save that album, folks. Will Smith is back and ready to remind us why he’s been a household name for decades.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Extra, Billboard
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
