Will Smith Announces Release of New Album After 20 Years

Will Smith in Beautiful Scars music video
Credit: Will Smith YouTube channel | Fair use for news and promotional purposes
By Michael BaculinaoNews Writer

Will Smith in Beautiful Scars music video
Credit: Will Smith YouTube channel | Fair use for news and promotional purposes

Will Smith recently announced that he is finally releasing a new album after 20 years of music hiatus.

For the past few years, the Hollywood A-lister has been hinting that he would return to the music scene. He has released music videos of his new singles and made an appearance at the recent Grammy Awards in anticipation of his highly-anticipated music comeback.

Will Smith Announces Release Date for His New Album

In his recent post on Instagram, Smith announced that his new album Based on a True Story is officially set to release this March 28.

It would mark his first album release in 20 years. His last album was Lost and Found in 2005 which contained the singles "Switch" and "Party Started."

The upcoming album will consist of 14 tracks including the lead single "Beautiful Scars." Here is the list:

  1. "Int. Barbershop – Day" (featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone)"
  2. "You Lookin' for Me?"
  3. "The Reverend (Rave Sermon)"
  4. "Rave in the Wasteland"
  5. "Bulletproof" (featuring Jac Ross)
  6. "Hard Times (Smile)" (featuring Teyana Taylor)
  7. "Beautiful Scars" (with Big Sean; featuring OBanga)
  8. "Tantrum" (featuring Joyner Lucas)
  9. "First Love"
  10. "Make It Look Easy"
  11. "The Reverend (YCMI Sermon)"
  12. "You Can Make It"
  13. "Work of Art" (featuring Jaden)
  14. "The Reverend (WOA Sermon)"

Smith wrote in his caption, "Been working on this project for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all."

Will Smith Explains His Decision to Return to Music

In an interview earlier this year, Smith explained why he decided to release a new album again after 20 years.

He shared that it all stemmed from his spiritual journey in the aftermath of his slap controversy at the Oscars in early 2022.

"A well opened up inside of me, a well of understanding of art and pain... all kinds of things that I didn’t even know were in there. Then after the Oscars, that spiritual investigation continued and a whole world woke up inside that I didn’t even know was there," the Oscar and Grammy winner said.

"Dreams, visions; parts of my inner landscape that I had no awareness of prior to three years ago. And that opened up this bubbling to share what I’m seeing and experiencing, to explore."

Smith continued, "A big part of my music now is about that: the ecstatic kind of joy I remember from church when I was growing up; the ability to try to make this place more bearable. You know, I’ve always had a wild imagination; that’s part of who I am. But there’s something new happening with me that’s demanding I explore musically."

Are you looking forward to Smith's upcoming album? Let us know in the comments!

Make sure to follow our official Facebook page for more news and explainer articles about your favorite films and TV shows!