Latest news with #YouCanMakeIt
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Smith Releases ‘Based on a True Story,' His First Album in 20 Years
Will Smith's return to hip-hop has arrived, as the rapper-turned-actor released Based on a True Story, his first album in 20 years, on Friday. Smith had preempted the new album with the singles 'Beautiful Scars' with Big Sean, 'First Love,' You Can Make It,' 'Tantrum' and 'Work of Art.' The album comes almost exactly 20 years ago to the day from when Smith released his last album, Lost and Found. Based on a True Story reunited Smith with DJ Jazzy Jeff and also features collaborations with Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas and Smith's son Jaden Smith. As The Hollywood Reporter reported last year, Smith signed a distribution deal with indie label Slang Records for the project. More from The Hollywood Reporter Young Thug to Play First Live Show Since Jail Release at Summer Smash in June Kesha Drops Country-Pop Single "Yippee-Ki-Yay" With T-Pain, Unveils New Album 'Period' 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominations Unveiled: First-Time Nominee Ella Langley Leads With Eight 'The past couple of years, I've been doing a very deep exploration of who and what I truly am,' Smith said in a teaser video he posted on his Instagram hours ahead of the official release Thursday. 'The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am. This is about to be the greatest artistic creative period of my entire life.' The past several years certainly have been eventful for Smith, as the actor is still in image rehabilitation mode for the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards where he slapped Chris Rock on stage over a joke Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith. Still Smith seems to be keeping himself busy with the new music, announcing an overseas tour earlier this month that will take him through much of Europe starting later this summer. It's unclear what the demand for the new music will be given just how long it's been since Smith has been a full-time recording artist. Speaking on 'Sway in the Morning' on Thursday, Smith recalled advice he got from Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar on recording the project. ''You gotta say what's true for you and you'll be looking at the younger rappers and you'll want that to be true to you, but you don't live like that,'' Smith revealed Jay told him. ''Be true to your story. Tell your story.' And that's where I got the Based on a True Story, from Jay.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Based on a True Story'- Will Smith releases first album in 20 years
Will Smith has made his highly anticipated return to the music scene with Based on a True Story, his first album in 20 years, released on Friday. The record features notable collaborations and marks his first full-length album since Lost and Found in of the album's release, Smith teased the project with several singles, including "Beautiful Scars" featuring Big Sean, "First Love," "You Can Make It," "Tantrum," and "Work of Art." Based on a True Story also sees Smith reunite with DJ Jazzy Jeff, with additional guest appearances from Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, and Smith's son, Jaden Smith. The album's release comes two decades after Lost and Found, making this a significant moment in Smith's musical career. Smith had signed a distribution deal with Slang Records for the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In a teaser video posted to Instagram, Smith shared that the album's creation process was a journey of self-reflection and authenticity. "The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am," he said. "This is about to be the greatest artistic creative period of my entire life." Smith's personal life has been a focal point in recent years, especially following the infamous slap incident at the 2022 Academy Awards, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Despite the controversy, Smith remains focused on his career, including announcing an upcoming European tour set to begin this summer. Smith's return to music has stirred anticipation, but it's uncertain how the public will respond after such a long hiatus from his recording career. His new album represents a key chapter in both his musical comeback and personal recovery.
See - Sada Elbalad
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Will Smith Drops "Based On a True Story," His First Album in 20 Years
Yara Sameh Will Smith has returned to music with the release of "Based on a True Story," his first studio album in two decades. Out Friday, the album marks his first full-length project since 2005's "Lost and Found" and arrives amid a wave of personal reflection and renewed creative energy for the multi-hyphenate star. Smith began teasing the new project in 2023, slowly rolling out singles like 'Beautiful Scars' featuring Big Sean, the high-energy anthem 'Tantrum' with Joyner Lucas, the Teyana Taylor-assisted 'You Can Make It,' and the introspective 'Work of Art,' which features both Russ and Smith's son, Jaden Smith. The album reunites him with longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff and is released through indie label Slang Records, with whom Smith signed a distribution deal last year. 'The past couple of years, I've been doing a very deep exploration of who and what I truly am,' Smith said in a teaser video posted on his Instagram on Thursday. 'The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am. This is about to be the greatest artistic creative period of my entire life.' Speaking with Sway in the Morning, Smith also revealed that the album title came from advice he received from Jay-Z. 'You gotta say what's true for you… Be true to your story. Tell your story,' Smith recalled. 'And that's where I got the 'Based on a True Story' [title] from.' The 14-track album blends old-school hip-hop with modern production and themes of redemption, vulnerability, and identity. It also marks a public reentry into the cultural conversation for Smith, whose 2022 Oscars incident with Chris Rock put him in the global spotlight in a very different way. Rather than shy away from controversy, Based on a True Story tackles Smith's journey head-on, balancing personal reckoning with polished, genre-spanning collaborations. Smith's comeback has also included high-profile live appearances, including a performance at Rock in Rio in 2024 that featured tracks from the new album alongside hits like 'Gettin' Jiggy wit It' and 'Summertime.' Earlier this month, he also announced a world tour kicking off in Europe this summer. "Based on a True Story" is now streaming on all major platforms. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Ireland Replaces Former Israeli Embassy with Palestinian Museum News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Lifestyle Maguy Farah Reveals 2025 Expectations for Pisces News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Gulf Today
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Will Smith channels his post-slap introspection into music
Will Smith could have let his infamous Oscar slap be his cinematic fade out with a career bruised, marriage dissected and reputation in a free fall. But instead of retreating, he turned inward for self-reflection. In the process, Smith rediscovered a long-neglected creative outlet in music, using the mic as a vessel to voice his thoughts after years of prioritizing his Hollywood dominance. 'I've taken the last couple of years to really do a deep dive on the parts of me that may or may not been in that level of certainty and asking those deep scary internal questions,' said Smith, an Oscar and Grammy winner, who will release his fifth studio album 'Based on a True Story' on Friday. It's his first music project in two decades since 'Lost and Found.' 'It really is the result of my initial self-examination,' he said. 'Every song is about some part of myself that I discovered or wanted to explore, something I wanted to share. It's the most full musical offering that I've ever created.' Smith's new offering features guest appearances from Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, DJ Jazzy Jeff, his son Jaden Smith, Jac Ross and Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir. His album weaves in gospel melodies and messages, but he doesn't call it a full-blown gospel project, despite the success of 'You Can Make It,' which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. Still, Smith let his renewed faith take the lead, steering his creative direction. He plans to release three albums this year, shaping each project into what he calls seasons. The first season, Rave in the Wasteland, plays out across the 14 tracks of 'Based on True Story' and represents his willingness to learn from life's lessons. 'I've come to some really beautiful answers for myself,' Smith said. 'My perception of God and reality.' Though Smith, 56, is still a bankable global star, rebuilding trust and momentum has been an uphill battle. He's grappled with harsh realities while trying to move past the backlash from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022 and his 10-year ban from the ceremony. Several entertainers — including Zoë Kravitz, Wanda Sykes and Rob Reiner — criticized Smith's actions. Jim Carrey was particularly vocal, stating that Smith had been ' living beyond the bandwidth ' and cracked under the pressure. When asked about Carrey's 'bandwidth' remark, Smith agreed but reiterated that he needed to step back to gain a deeper understanding of himself and move beyond his own limitations. 'There's a small self that — the small concept of myself — can get to the end of his bandwidth,' he said. 'And then, if I back up, there's like an infinite space, where my bandwidth is the bandwidth of life itself. It's like trying to not get stuck in having to be only a narrow band of things, to give myself permission to be wider in the truth of who and what I actually am.' Smith's road to redemption grew tougher when Rock's comedy special reignited the controversy and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir 'Worthy' put their marriage under fresh scrutiny, sparking headlines and endless social media memes. Smith said the adversity not only tested him but fueled his creativity. 'There's a certain psychological and emotional fortitude that you cultivate from, leaning into the difficulty, not trying to run away,' said Smith, who added he sought to build 'spiritual confidence' inspired by the resilience of his late grandmother and Nelson Mandela. Along the way, he found Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chödrön's teachings, embracing her mantra of 'leaning into the sharp points.' These influences became pillars as Smith explored himself more deeply. The way his grandmother, Mandela and Chödrön approached life pushed him to channel his journey back into music. 'It is essentially learning how to accept and celebrate my challenges, recognizing that my challenges and my obstacles and my difficulties are actually divine curriculum,' said Smith, a four-time Grammy winner, who is known for rap classics such as ' Summertime,' ' Men in Black,' ' Gettin' Jiggy Wit It ' and ' Parents Just Don't Understand.' Associated Press
Arab Times
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Will Smith channels his introspection into music on ‘Based On A True Story'
LOS ANGELES, March 25, (AP): Will Smith could have let his infamous Oscar slap be his cinematic fade out with a career bruised, marriage dissected and reputation in a free fall. But instead of retreating, he turned inward for self-reflection. In the process, Smith rediscovered a long-neglected creative outlet in music, using the mic as a vessel to voice his thoughts after years of prioritizing his Hollywood dominance. "I've taken the last couple of years to really do a deep dive on the parts of me that may or may not been in that level of certainty and asking those deep scary internal questions,' said Smith, an Oscar and Grammy winner, who will release his fifth studio album "Based on a True Story' on Friday. It's his first music project in two decades since "Lost and Found.' "It really is the result of my initial self-examination,' he said. "Every song is about some part of myself that I discovered or wanted to explore, something I wanted to share. It's the most full musical offering that I've ever created.' Smith's new offering features guest appearances from Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, DJ Jazzy Jeff, his son Jaden Smith, Jac Ross and Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir. His album weaves in gospel melodies and messages, but he doesn't call it a full-blown gospel project, despite the success of "You Can Make It,' which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. Still, Smith let his renewed faith take the lead, steering his creative direction. He plans to release three albums this year, shaping each project into what he calls seasons. The first season, Rave in the Wasteland, plays out across the 14 tracks of "Based on True Story' and represents his willingness to learn from life's lessons. "I've come to some really beautiful answers for myself,' Smith said. "My perception of God and reality.' Though Smith, 56, is still a bankable global star, rebuilding trust and momentum has been an uphill battle. He's grappled with harsh realities while trying to move past the backlash from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022 and his 10-year ban from the ceremony. Several entertainers - including Zoë Kravitz, Wanda Sykes and Rob Reiner - criticized Smith's actions. Jim Carrey was particularly vocal, stating that Smith had been " living beyond the bandwidth ' and cracked under the pressure. When asked about Carrey's "bandwidth' remark, Smith agreed but reiterated that he needed to step back to gain a deeper understanding of himself and move beyond his own limitations. "There's a small self that - the small concept of myself - can get to the end of his bandwidth," he said. "And then, if I back up, there's like an infinite space, where my bandwidth is the bandwidth of life itself. It's like trying to not get stuck in having to be only a narrow band of things, to give myself permission to be wider in the truth of who and what I actually am.' Smith's road to redemption grew tougher when Rock's comedy special reignited the controversy and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir "Worthy' put their marriage under fresh scrutiny, sparking headlines and endless social media memes. Smith said the adversity not only tested him but fueled his creativity. "There's a certain psychological and emotional fortitude that you cultivate from, leaning into the difficulty, not trying to run away,' said Smith, who added he sought to build "spiritual confidence' inspired by the resilience of his late grandmother and Nelson Mandela. Along the way, he found Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chödrön's teachings, embracing her mantra of "leaning into the sharp points.' These influences became pillars as Smith explored himself more deeply. The way his grandmother, Mandela and Chödrön approached life pushed him to channel his journey back into music. "It is essentially learning how to accept and celebrate my challenges, recognizing that my challenges and my obstacles and my difficulties are actually divine curriculum,' said Smith, a four-time Grammy winner, who is known for rap classics such as " Summertime,' " Men in Black,' "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It' and "Parents Just Don't Understand.' Those tracks had a laid-back feel, but his new album strikes a more serious tone. "It's what I've been given to learn the truth,' he continued. "There's a way that I'm learning to be with hard times when things arise. It's like 'Good, yes, thank you.' I'm willing to learn these lessons.' Believe it or not, Smith is set to embark on his first-ever headline tour this summer. He is structuring the shows around different phases of his life and career: One featuring Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, another highlighting his film and TV journey and third act he calls the "new phase, new energy,' where Jeff and others will return to the stage. Smith will kick off his tour including festivals starting June 25 at the Mawazine festival in Morocco and expected to wrap up early September in Paris. He'll perform his past hits from " Miami ' to "Summertime' along with songs from the new album across England, France and Germany. As Smith gears up for his tour, he also has several films in pre-production, including "Fast and Loose,' "Hancock 2,' "I Am Legend 2' and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," according to IMDb. He's embracing this next phase of his career with renewed energy. "This is about to be the greatest creative run of my entire career,' he said. "The things that I'm about to do in music and cinema, and just artistic expression and exploration. It's like, I can't sleep at night. I'm so ready to go.'
