Will Smith Announces Comeback Album 'Based on a True Story'
Smith’s first project in 20 years includes features from his son Jaden, Teyana Taylor, Big Sean, and others.
Will Smith knows a thing or two about making a slap. Since releasing Big Willie Style — his first album as a solo artist after five projects as one-half of hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince — in 1997, he’s had three #1 hits: “Men in Black,” “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” and “Wild Wild West,” and all four of his solo studio projects reached at least the top 15 of the Billboard charts.
However, the rapper and beloved sitcom actor turned Hollywood megastar hasn’t released an album since 2005’s Lost and Found — but that 20-year span is set to end, as Smith recently announced that Based on a True Story, his new album, will be releasing in the coming weeks.
The 14-track album features guest appearances from Smith’s son Jaden, Teyana Taylor, Big Sean, Russ, OBanga, Joyner Lucas, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more. The project was originally teased in January, with Smith posting a The Matrix-inspired video on his Instagram featuring a Big Sean cameo. Then, in February, Smith appeared on a livestream with xQC (a streamer and former professional Fortnite player) and said he’d be releasing parts of his albums like “seasons” of a TV show, with each song an “episode.” “I’m calling it seasons,” Smith said. “So, I’m releasing it like a TV show. I’m releasing season one at the end of March, and then I’m going to release season two at the end of July.”
Expect Based on a True Story to release via streaming services on March 28.
