Will Smith makes a stunning comeback with first album in two decades

In January 2025, Will Smith, the well-known actor and rapper, announced the release of his first album in two decades, entitled 'Based On A True Story.' Accompanying this announcement, he released a new song titled 'Beautiful Scars,' featuring rappers Big Sean and OBanga. The music video for the song was inspired by the iconic 1999 film 'The Matrix,' a role Smith famously declined. Within the video, Smith faces the iconic choice between the red pill and the blue pill, which symbolizes his past career decisions, reflecting on how life's mistakes contribute to personal strength. Over the years, Will Smith has faced significant public scrutiny following a controversial incident at the 2022 Oscars, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock after a joke made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. This incident ultimately led to a ten-year ban from attending the Academy Awards. Despite this setback, Smith received the Best Actor award at the same ceremony for his role in 'King Richard,' enhancing his profile amidst the controversy. In recent years, he has made efforts to reconnect with the public and return to the entertainment scene. Since his ban from the Academy, Smith has stayed largely out of the media spotlight but has made some notable public appearances and professional comebacks. He starred in 'Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,' released in 2024, which is the fourth installment of the action-comedy series that features outspoken themes of friendship and teamwork. His return to music also included a performance at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, showcasing his long-assumed potential in hip-hop. With the announcement of his new album and the release of 'Beautiful Scars,' Smith appears ready to reclaim his place in the entertainment industry that he first entered through music in the late 1980s. Having originally found fame as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince, who won the first rap Grammy in 1989, Smith's latest album serves not only as a personal statement but as a commentary on resilience and growth in the face of challenges, establishing an optimistic outlook for his future endeavors.