Will Smith Returns to Hip-Hop with New Album ‘Based On A True Story’
Will Smith is officially stepping back into the music scene, announcing his highly anticipated return with the upcoming LP, Based On A True Story. The project, set to drop in March, marks the rapper-actor’s first full-length studio album since 2005’s Lost and Found, which featured hits like “Switch” and “Party Starter.”
Over the past year, the Oscar-winning artist has been teasing fans with new music, unveiling fresh cadences, flows, and subject matter that showcase his evolution as an MC. Tracks like the Russ-assisted “Work Of Art” and the high-energy “TANTRUM” featuring Joyner Lucas highlight Smith’s renewed passion for hip-hop.
Joyner Lucas, who famously paid tribute to Smith with his 2020 track “WILL,” has since become a frequent collaborator. The two artists have been working together extensively, and in 2023, Lucas hinted at a potential joint album via an Instagram post celebrating Smith’s birthday. “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, to then you asking me to create a whole album with you,” Lucas wrote, fueling speculation that he will play a key role in Based On A True Story.
Smith’s announcement comes on the heels of his latest single, “Beautiful Scars” featuring Big Sean. The track, accompanied by a cinematic music video inspired by The Matrix, further cements his return to the rap game.
With Based On A True Story, Will Smith is set to reintroduce himself as a serious force in hip-hop. Fans can expect a mix of nostalgia and fresh sounds as the legendary MC gears up for his long-awaited comeback.
