Renowned actor and musician Will Smith has triumphantly made his return to the music industry with the launch of his highly anticipated album Based on a True Story, marking his first studio album release in two decades. This exciting comeback signifies a significant moment in Smith’s career, allowing him to reconnect with his musical roots and explore new creative avenues.

Released on March 28, this album is a pivotal milestone in Smith’s artistic journey, being his first full-length project since the 2005 album Lost and Found. The timing of this release comes as Smith embarks on a period of personal reflection and revitalized creative energy, showcasing his evolution as both an artist and an individual.

In the lead-up to the album launch, Smith began teasing his fans throughout 2023 by gradually unveiling singles such as “Beautiful Scars,” featuring Big Sean, the energetic anthem “Tantrum” with Joyner Lucas, the collaborative track “You Can Make It” featuring Teyana Taylor, and the introspective “Work of Art,” which includes contributions from both Russ and his son, Jaden Smith. Each single has offered a glimpse into the diverse sonic landscape that Based on a True Story promises to deliver.

This exciting album represents a reunion with DJ Jazzy Jeff, a longtime collaborator, and is being released through the independent label Slang Records, with which Smith secured a distribution deal just last year. This partnership signifies a return to his musical roots while embracing the independence that comes with modern music distribution.

In a teaser video shared on his Instagram, Smith expressed, “The past couple of years, I’ve been doing a very deep exploration of who and what I truly am.” He elaborated, “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.” His words resonate with those on a similar journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

While discussing his creative process with Sway on the radio show Sway in the Morning, Smith revealed that the album’s title was inspired by advice from the legendary Jay-Z. He recalled, “You gotta say what’s true for you… Be true to your story. Tell your story,” and it was from this guidance that the title Based on a True Story was born. This encapsulates the essence of Smith’s artistic vision and commitment to authenticity.

The album features 14 diverse tracks that blend old-school hip-hop with contemporary production values, exploring themes of redemption, vulnerability, and personal identity. This release serves as a public reentry into the cultural conversation for Smith, especially following the highly publicized incident at the 2022 Oscars with Chris Rock. Rather than steering away from controversy, Based on a True Story confronts Smith’s journey directly, skillfully balancing personal reflection with genre-spanning collaborations.

In addition to the album, Smith’s resurgence in the music scene has included high-profile live performances, such as his appearance at Rock in Rio in 2024, where he performed tracks from his new album alongside fan favorites like “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It” and “Summertime.” Earlier this month, he also announced an exciting world tour set to kick off in Europe this summer, further solidifying his return to the stage and reconnecting with fans globally.

You can now stream Based on a True Story on all major music platforms, making it accessible for fans old and new to experience Smith’s artistic evolution and the powerful messages woven throughout the album.