In a period where his career was in turmoil and his personal life under the microscope, Will Smith could have easily faded away after the infamous Oscar incident. Instead of withdrawing, he chose introspection as a means of self-discovery. Amidst the chaos, Smith found solace in music, using his voice to express his inner thoughts after years of focusing on his Hollywood career. Set to release his fifth studio album, “Based on a True Story,” Smith has embarked on a musical renaissance, marking his return to the industry after a two-decade hiatus since “Lost and Found.” The album, a result of deep self-examination, showcases Smith’s personal growth and exploration, making it his most authentic musical offering yet.
Featuring collaborations with artists like Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, and Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir, Smith’s album incorporates gospel influences while not strictly falling into the gospel genre. With plans to release three albums this year, Smith sees each project as a season of growth and self-discovery. The first season, titled “Rave in the Wasteland,” embodies the lessons learned from life’s challenges, reflecting Smith’s evolving perception of faith and reality.
Despite facing criticism and backlash for his actions, including the Oscars incident and his publicized personal struggles, Smith has persevered, using adversity as a catalyst for creativity. Through introspection and embracing difficulties, he has found strength and spiritual confidence, allowing him to navigate through the challenges and emerge stronger than before. Smith’s journey from turmoil to triumph serves as a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment to self-discovery and growth.
Drawing inspiration from his late grandmother and Nelson Mandela, Will Smith also found guidance in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chödrön. Embracing Chödrön’s mantra of “leaning into the sharp points,” Smith delved deeper into self-exploration with these influences as his pillars. Encouraged by the resilient approaches to life displayed by his grandmother, Mandela, and Chödrön, Smith redirected his journey back into music.
Reflecting on his experiences, Smith shared, “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.” As a four-time Grammy winner known for hits like “Summertime,” “Men in Black,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” and “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” Smith acknowledges the transformative power of his struggles.
While his previous tracks exuded a laid-back vibe, Smith’s latest album takes on a more serious tone as he delves into profound truths. “It’s what I’ve been given to learn the truth,” he expressed. “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.”
In an exciting development, Smith is gearing up for his inaugural headline tour this summer, structured around various phases of his life and career. The tour will feature performances with DJ Jazzy Jeff, a cinematic showcase, and a presentation highlighting his new phase of creativity. With festival appearances lined up across Europe, the tour will commence at the Mawazine festival in Morocco and conclude in Paris in early September.
Amidst his tour preparations, Smith is also involved in multiple film projects, including “Fast and Loose,” “Hancock 2,” “I Am Legend 2,” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” as reported by IMDb. Embracing this exciting new chapter in his career, Smith expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is about to be the greatest creative run of my entire career. 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.”
