Will Smith is returning to his rap roots but with a nod to the future, announcing his first album since 2005.
Along with the reveal, the Oscar and Grammy winner on Thursday released a music video for his latest single “Beautiful Scars,” in which he and rapper Big Sean channel “The Matrix.”
The “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” star, who shockingly turned down the lead role in the 1999 sci-fi classic, attempts to correct that mistake by taking on the character of Neo (played in the film franchise by Keanu Reeves) while his Detroit-born collaborator plays Morpheus.
“Look, you’ve made some awesome career choices your whole life,” Big Sean says in the video, before making a reference to the infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars. “There’s only one you truly regret. Well, maybe two. But we’re not gonna focus on that one.”
Smith, 56, announced that he’ll be releasing a new solo album in March titled, “Based on a True Story” — marking his first full-length studio project since 2005’s “Lost and Found.”
On the comeback trail after assaulting Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Academy Awards, Smith has released several tracks over the last year — including “Work of Art” and “Tantrum” — getting back into the groove of his career beginnings as half of the ’80s hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
Last month, he hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay Chart with the track “You Can Make It,” his first time holding a No. 1 spot since 1997’s “Gettin’ Jiggy With It.”
Smith also performed the song, featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir, at the 2024 BET Awards.
