Will Smith is making his return to the rap game.
The Oscar winner has announced the upcoming release of his new LP, Based On A True Story, Billboard reports.
Scheduled to drop in March, the LP is Smith’s first full-length album since Lost and Found in 2005. The album is slated to be the first installment of his three-part series that he’s planning to release on SLANG Recordings.
“Beautiful Scars”, the first single from the album features Big Sean and Obanga and is Produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton. For the visual, Will and Sean don Matrix-like outfits.
Smith began teasing his new project last year with “You Can Make It” featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. The song became his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.
“Work of Art” with Russ and featuring Smith’s son Jaden and “TANTRUM” with Joyner Lucas. All four songs “will be included on what is Smith’s most personal and introspective album to date.”
Smith has also tested his new songs with several live performances. He performed two sold-out shows in December in San Diego at The Observatory North Park. Also, the “Summertime” rapper will headline the Positiv Festival in France on July 31.
Confirming his involvement in the project, Lucas took to social media in September 2023 to express his gratitude for working with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star.
“Dear hero. I never thought I’d ever meet you. Still trips me out that I grew up idolizing you, to then me making a record about my admiration and respect for you,” Lucas’ caption read. “Then you asking me to create a whole album with you.”
Smith shared his excitement about getting back to performing live.
“Getting back out city to city, seeing people and feeling the energy keeps me creatively alive,” Smith explained. “Like how they’re doing the kick drums a little different in Chicago than in other places; like what’s happening with Afrobeats. I’m excited to go around the world and meet artists.
Smith continued: “I’m more artistic than I’ve ever been, a better actor than I’ve ever been, a better poet than I’ve ever been. I’m going to be better on stage than I’ve ever been and I’m just on fire about this next creative phase of my life and career.”
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