Will Smith poses for a portrait on Monday, March 17, 2025, in LA. AP Photo
Will Smith is making a bold return to music. Instead of letting the 2022 Oscars controversy define him, the Hollywood star has channeled his self-reflection into his latest album, Based on a True Story. Releasing this Friday, the album marks Smith’s first music project in nearly two decades.
The Oscar-winning actor and four-time Grammy winner used the past few years to dive deep into his personal growth. “Every song reflects a part of myself that I’ve explored or wanted to share,” Smith said. He describes this project as his most complete musical work yet.
A Fresh Sound with Big Collaborations
Smith’s new album features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jaden Smith, Jac Ross, and Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir. The project blends gospel elements with powerful storytelling, though Smith stops short of calling it a gospel album.
The lead single, You Can Make It, has already topped the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, highlighting the spiritual undertones in his new music. Smith credits his renewed faith for guiding his artistic direction.
He also revealed plans to release three albums this year, each representing a different season of his journey. Based on a True Story kicks off the first season, which he calls Rave in the Wasteland, reflecting his lessons learned from adversity.
Learning from the Past
Smith, 56, remains one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but his road to redemption hasn’t been easy. After slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars and facing a 10-year ban from the Academy Awards, he endured intense scrutiny. Many celebrities, including Jim Carrey, Zoë Kravitz, and Wanda Sykes, openly criticized his actions.
Carrey described Smith as someone who had been “living beyond his bandwidth.” When asked about the comment, Smith agreed, admitting that he had reached his emotional limits. However, he said the experience led him to a greater understanding of himself.
“There’s a small version of myself that gets overwhelmed,” Smith explained. “But if I step back, there’s an infinite space where I can expand beyond my limitations.”
His struggles didn’t end there. Rock’s comedy special reignited the controversy, and Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir, Worthy, brought new attention to their marriage, sparking fresh headlines and online debates.
Instead of retreating, Smith turned to music. He embraced a mindset of resilience, drawing inspiration from his late grandmother, Nelson Mandela, and Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chödrön. He adopted Chödrön’s philosophy of “leaning into the sharp points,” choosing to face difficulties head-on rather than avoiding them.
A Tour and New Energy
Smith is also preparing for his first-ever headline tour this summer. The tour will take fans through different phases of his career, featuring performances with DJ Jazzy Jeff, a celebration of his film and TV roles, and a showcase of his latest music.
Kicking off on June 25 in Morocco, the tour will take him across England, France, Germany, and Paris before wrapping up in early September. Fans can expect to hear classics like Summertime and Miami, alongside tracks from his new album.
Beyond music, Smith has multiple film projects in the works, including “Fast and Loose,” “Hancock 2,” “I Am Legend 2,” and a remake of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
As he steps into this next creative phase, Smith is more energized than ever. “This is about to be the greatest creative run of my career,” he said. “I can’t sleep at night—I’m so ready to go.”
