will smith
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Will Smith ain’t duckin’ nothin’. On his new album, “Based on a True Story”, he’s finally speaking on that infamous night at the 2022 Oscars when he slapped the soul out of Chris Rock and he’s doing it with bars.
Instead of running from the hate, Will leans all the way in, firing back at the trolls, the critics, and the whole industry that tried to cancel him. From the jump, he sets the tone. Track one starts with a voice saying, “Will Smith is canceled,” followed by a chaotic back-and-forth of different voices throwing shade.
“Who the f**k Will Smith think he is?” one asks, while another chimes in, “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that sh*t he did.” The track, featuring his day-one DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone, plays like a raw conversation straight from the comments section, nothing held back. Then comes “You Lookin’ for Me?”, where Will really pops his ish.
The Philly legend raps, “Took a lot, I’m back on top/ Y’all gon’ have to get acclimated/ Won’t stop, my sh*t still hot/ Even though I won’t get nominated.” He knows the Academy banned him, but that ain’t stopping the grind. Will’s basically saying, “Y’all thought I was finished? Nah, I’m still here.”
This ain’t no apology tour, it’s a statement. Will Smith is flipping the script, owning his story, and letting the world know he’s still standing. Love him or hate him, he’s talking his talk, and he clearly ain’t worried about who’s mad.
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Will Smith is more than likely never going to live down the infamous Oscars moment in 2022 when he approached host Chris Rock and delivered a slap heard around the world. In the years since, Will Smith has refocused on his acting craft and continued introspection, and in a new interview, he talks about that journey ahead of his new studio album.
Will Smith sat down with the Associated Press to discuss his upcoming fifth studio album, Based On A True Story, his creative aims for the year, and so much more. The article opens up with Smith, 56, explaining the focus and aims of the album while also using the project as a way of sharing with the world his path and the way ahead after the controversial Oscars moment when he slapped Chris Rock in 2022.
“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,” Smith explains.
Smith added, “It really is the result of my initial self-examination. 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.”
Of course, the topic of Smith’s 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences could not be avoided, and he’s clearly shown remorse by way of apologizing to Rock via an open letter and video, which appears to still have gone unanswered in many respects. When asked if he would appeal the academy’s ban, Smith gave an answer that illustrates that he’s hoping to move on beyond the slap heard around the world.
“I am looking to be the best human I can possibly be, and I’m gonna take what I get with that,” Smith said.
Will Smith’s Based On A True Story drops this Friday (March 28) and is said to be the first of three albums the Philadelphia native intends to drop this year. He is also working on several film and television projects, including a sequel to the superhero action film, Hancock.
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Is Will Smith now a Vamp? After cooking up some music in real-time on PlaqueBoyMax’s stream, Will stepped out of the booth for a break. Max saw the perfect opportunity to introduce him to “OPM BABI” from Playboi Carti’s new album. What happened next was pure comedy.
The second the beat dropped, Will looked lost. His face twisted up like he just smelled something foul, and you could tell he was fighting for his life trying to catch the rhythm. Carti’s chaotic production of wild 808s, distorted melodies, and baby-voice ad-libs was clearly throwing him off. The Fresh Prince tried to nod his head, but it was way off-beat like he was buffering in real time. After about 30 seconds of pain, Max hit him with the golden question: “So, what you think?” Will paused, probably gathering his thoughts, then hit Max with the most safe, media-trained answer ever “I like the rhythm.”
The chat lost it. The clip went viral instantly, with people clowning the generational gap. Max was vibing, but Will looked like he just went through a spiritual crisis. Safe to say, Carti won’t be making it to the Philly Legends personal playlist anytime soon, but at least he tried. The moment was legendary, though Hip-Hop’s past and future collided in the most awkward way possible.
Check out some of the funniest reactions to Will Smith listening to King Vamp, Playboi Carti.
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Will Smith is back, y’all. Whether you’re excited or not the Fresh Prince got something to say. After a 20-year break, he’s finally slapping us with his first album since Lost and Found in 2005.
His new project, Based on a True Story, is set to hit the streets on March 28, and the hype is real. Will took to Instagram to let his fans know, saying, “My new album Based On A True Story drops March 28. TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave. Been working on this project for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all.”
It’s been a long minute since Will Smith’s been in the music game. He’s been making big moves in Hollywood with films like Men in Black, Ali, and The Pursuit of Happyness, but he’s always kept that connection to his hip-hop roots. His first solo albums made waves, with Big Willie Style and Willennium both hitting the Top 10, and Lost and Found keeping that momentum alive.
Now, fans are buzzing about what this new album’s gonna bring. Will’s always been known for blending humor with serious storytelling, and you know this project’s got some fire in it. Whether he’s bringing the bars or keeping it reflective, the anticipation’s building for what could be one of the most anticipated comebacks in rap. So, mark your calendars and get ready to vibe with Will when Based on a True Story drops in two weeks.
Will Smith’s Hitch might have been a box office success, but according to the film’s director, Andy Tennant, making the 2005 romantic comedy wasn’t as smooth as the final product.
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In a new interview with Business Insider, Tennant reflected on creative tensions with Smith during the production, revealing that their visions for the film didn’t initially align. “We had our difficulties,” Tennant said. “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle.”
Tennant also claimed that just three days before filming was set to begin, Smith wanted to delay production.
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“He wanted to work on it some more,” the director alleged, explaining that Smith tried to “back out” at the last minute. However, he credited Jada Pinkett Smith for helping mediate the situation, saying, “Jada was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back on a lot of crazy s–t that was happening.”
Despite the reported behind-the-scenes tension, Hitch went on to gross over $370 million worldwide and remains one of Smith’s most popular films. The movie, which starred Smith as a professional “date doctor” helping clients navigate the dating world, also featured Eva Mendes and Kevin James in breakout roles.
Now, two decades later, Smith is reportedly moving forward with a Hitch sequel—but without Tennant. “I just found out about it three months ago,” Tennant said.
“I had a really good idea for a sequel, and I was talking to an executive at Sony, and he said Will’s production company is developing a sequel.” While he didn’t reveal details of his own concept, Tennant acknowledged the situation with a shrug: “Hey, that’s Hollywood.”
Smith has yet to comment on the development of Hitch 2, but the sequel would add to a busy year for the actor. In addition to his return to film, Smith is also preparing to release his first album in over 20 years, Based on a True Story, in March via SLANG Recordings.
The album rollout began last year with “You Can Make It” featuring Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir, which became his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. It was followed by “Work of Art” with Russ and Jaden Smith, “TANTRUM” with Joyner Lucas, and the latest single, “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean and featuring Obanga.
Smith described the project as his most personal yet, telling Billboard last month, “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. I’m just on fire about this next creative phase of my life and career.”
Smith also revealed that he’s planning to release not one but three albums under the Based on a True Story banner, describing them as “three seasons of a TV musical show.” The first instalment, Rave in the Wasteland, arrives in March and will include songs written in the aftermath of the 2022 Oscars. The second album, The Gift of Madness, is set for June and draws inspiration from a quote by Quincy Jones about artists who “believe impossible s–t can happen.” A third instalment is expected by the end of the year.
As part of his return to music, Smith has already performed two sold-out shows in San Diego and is scheduled to headline France’s Positiv Festival on July 31. He told Billboard, “Getting back out city to city, seeing people and feeling the energy keeps me creatively alive.”
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Will Smith is adamantly denying having being involved in any sort of nefarious behavior with Sean “Diddy” Combs. While the Oscar-wiining actor was back in rapper mode, he addressed all the memes that funny not funnily link him with the disgraced Hip-Hop mogul.
On Thursday, December 12, the Fresh Prince was on stage at The Observatory North Park in San Diego when he decided it was past time to address the jokes. “I been seein’ y’all memes and stuff. I see the memes. Some of that stuff is funny, some of it’s funny,” said Smith, and as see in footage now making the rounds.
He added, “I just wanna say this very clearly: I don’t have sh*t to do with Puffy, so you all can stop all them memes. Y’all can stop all of that bulls**t. I ain’t been nowhere near no damn ‘Freak Off.’”
#WillSmith is telling fans he’s got no #Diddy dirty laundry … because he’s never been tight with the disgraced rap mogul. Full story here: https://t.co/pW6O90eJ7M pic.twitter.com/paVvPSPgi2
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 13, 2024
Unless you’ve been willfully avoiding the media, you’ve already heard that Diddy is indicted and sitting in jail awaiting trial for multiple charges of sexual assault. And more accusers continue to come forward seemingly every other day.
But while Smith may not have attended any freak offs (he also added, “I ain’t been nowhere near that man, ain’t did none of that stupid s**t.”), he’s certainly appeared with Diddy in many photos over the years. But so have most any rappers and entertainers of note.
Combs has pled not guilty and will be standing trial on May 5, 2025.
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Whenever Will Smith tells his story expect some flowers to be given to those that helped him. He says his relationship with Alfonso Ribeiro changed his life.
As per HuffPost, the Philadelphia, Penn., native recently made an appearance on Vice’s Black Comedy in America series. During the in depth interview the multi-hyphenate discussed the many people that helped him during his historic career. When discussing his run as a rapper he made sure to highlight his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff. “There’s been a couple of creative relationships I’ve had that have totally transformed my life. And the first one was Jazzy Jeff,” Will Smith explained.
When it came to acting he revealed that meeting his The Fresh Prince of Bel Air co-star Alfonso Ribeiro was a game changer. “When you meet somebody who understands you in a way that other people don’t understand you. And they’re able to understand you, then craft things for you to create and shine and explode. And Alfonso was that guy for sure” he said.
The “Summertime” rapper went on to detail that the man who would go on to be forever known as Carlton Banks has always been special. “When he came in for the audition, there was like no question. That’s the one,” Will added. “Nobody commits as hard as Alf. We call it the ‘comedic limb.’ You know where you gon’ try this joke and you gon’ go out there with it, and you gon’ risk it all. And one of his big things, why he would commit so hard with the lines, he says, ‘You commit so the writers can know it doesn’t work.’”
You can see Will Smith discuss Alfonso Ribeiro below.
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Will Smith is one of the most recognizable celebrities of his era and much of his fame was earned during his days as an actor on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, produced by Quincy Jones. Taking to social media, Will Smith gave a loving tribute to the late Quincy Jones, naming the influential producer as a “mentor.”
On Instagram, Will Smith, 56, posted a photo of him and Quincy Jones on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, with Jones flashing a big smile and pointing at the rapper-turned-actor. In a brief but emotionally packed message, Smith showered Jones with adoration.
From IG:
Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.
Among Jones’ many achievements, he served as an executive producer for the hit sitcom that made Smith a star and also appeared in an episode from the show’s fourth season. Along with music production, Jones had a hand in composing music for major films and created VIBE magazine among other creative endeavors.
Quincy Jones passed at the age of 91 this past Sunday (November 3).
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Source: Koichi Kamoshida / Getty / iRobot / Elon Musk
Elon Musk gets plenty of praise for his “technical prowess,” but one person, Alex Proyas, doesn’t share those sentiments.
Last week in Burbank, California, the Tesla Chief and terrible owner of X, formerly Twitter, unveiled his company’s new Optimus robots and self-driving vehicles at an event interestingly titled “We Robot.”
Like many on X, Aley Proyas, the director of the 2004 blockbuster film I Robot, believed Musk jacked the designs from his movie.
“Hey Elon,” Proyas wrote on X, “Can I have my designs back, please?” The message was accompanied by a series of stills from the film, side-by-side with photos of Musk’s latest designs.
Musk, who doesn’t hesitate to respond when he’s called on his platform, has yet to respond to Proyas’ claims, but that didn’t stop his delusional fans from putting on their capes to defend the billionaire.
“Be honored. What you did with CGI and a green screen, @elonmusk did in reality,” one person wrote in response to Proyas’ claims.
Another glazer wrote, “you feel you inspired the future yet you’re trying to dunk on the person who made it a reality.”
This was not the first time Musk had shown off the Optimus robot; it debuted in 2022, the same year he reluctantly bought Twitter for $44 billion before stupidly renaming it to X.
Musk’s reputation as the real-life Tony Stark has since taken a well-deserved hit, and now he has become “Dark MAGA,” whatever that means.
Word on the tech streets is that humans partly controlled the robots at “We Work.” Following the event, Tesla stock took a hit, dropping by nearly 9%.
Welp.
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4. Do you really?
5. Yes, he’s definitely watched it.
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It only took 30 years, but Will Smith and Michael Bay are finally working together again.
Spotted on Variety and first reported by Deadline, Will Smith and Michael Bay will reunite for the upcoming Netflix action film Fast and Loose.
According to the website, Fast and Loose will follow a man, played by Smith, who wakes up in Tijuana with no memories. As he works to regain his memory, he learns that he has been living a double life as a crime kingpin and an undercover CIA agent.
The upcoming project marks the first time Smith and Bay have worked together since 1995’s box office blockbuster Bad Boys, which also starred Martin Lawrence and went on to spawn three successful sequels.
Speaking of Lawrence, the actor/comedian joked on X, formerly Twitter, “Don’t forget about ya boy.”
Variety notes that Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, Chris Bremner, and Eric Pearson will work on the script with Smith, Kelly McCormick, and David Leitch for 87North, serving as producers.
Jon Mone and Ryan Shimazaki are in negotiations to produce for Westbrook Studios.
Since Bad Boys, Smith has become one of Hollywood’s biggest names. He won an Acadmey Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard and starred in Apple’s Emancipation in 2022. He is set to star in the long-awaited sequel to I Am Legend alongside Michael B. Jordan and Sony Pictures’ sci-fi thriller Resistor.
Michael Bay has been busy blowing things up on screen in blockbuster Transformers live-action films and has sat in the director’s chair for other high-action films like Pearl Harbor and Ambulance.