Will Smith has returned to the music scene with “Based on a True Story,” his first album in 20 years. The album directly addresses the 2022 Oscars incident where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock. The opening track, “Int. Barbershop — Day,” sets a reflective tone with the phrase, “Will Smith is canceled,” followed by voices discussing Smith’s actions. One voice questions, “Who the f*** Will Smith think he is?” while another responds, “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that s*** he did.”
Will Smith Addressing Controversy Through Music
In “You Lookin’ for Me?”, Smith raps about resilience: “Took a lot, I’m back on top / Y’all gon’ have to get acclimated / Won’t stop, my s*** still hot / Even though I won’t get nominated.”
The album features collaborations with DJ Jazzy Jeff, B. Simone, Big Sean, and Smith’s son, Jaden. Smith describes it as his “most honest and creatively fulfilling work to date.”
Critics have given mixed reviews. The Times notes that while “Int. Barbershop — Day” stands out, the album “lacks the charm of Smith’s earlier Fresh Prince era.” The Independent adds that the album “loses clarity” after the opening track, with Smith not seeming “truly comfortable with self-interrogation beyond aphorism.”
Smith’s return to music signifies his effort to move past the Oscars incident and reconnect with audiences. Through “Based on a True Story,” he offers personal insights and addresses public perceptions, aiming to turn controversy into artistic expression. As he raps in “Beautiful Scars,” “I hate when I lose it, but I face the music / ‘Oh, why did he do it?’ See, I’m only human.”
The album is part of a trilogy, with “Rave in the Wasteland” as the first season. The second season, “The Gift of Madness,” is set for release in late June, followed by a third album later in the year. Smith plans a world tour this summer to support the album, with dates across China, Europe, and hopes for a full stadium tour in America.