Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Will Smith makes a comeback with first album in 20 years, ‘Based on a true story’

The comeback record tackles personal highs and lows, featuring collaborations with Jaden, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more.

Will Smith

Will Smith announces his musical comeback with Based on a True Story, his first album in 20 years

Getty Images

Will Smith is returning to his music roots after 20 years with Based on a True Story, his first album since 2005, releasing March 28. Known for his early rap career with DJ Jazzy Jeff and later as a solo artist, Smith is now using music to tell his side of the story after a rough few years in the spotlight.

This new album comes after a long pause in his music career. His last full-length project, Lost and Found, dropped back in 2005. Since then, Smith has mainly focused on acting, with highs like King Richard (which earned him an Oscar) and lows like the backlash following his onstage altercation with Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. That moment led to a 10-year ban from the Academy Awards and stalled several film projects. But for now, Smith seems ready to reset.



In an Instagram post, he shared his excitement about the album: “Been working on this for a minute, and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all.” The project features 14 tracks and includes collaborations with his son Jaden Smith, Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, Russ, Jac Ross, Big Sean, and his longtime friend and partner DJ Jazzy Jeff.

One of the singles, Beautiful Scars, is a personal track where Smith reflects on his mistakes, including the Oscars controversy. “I hate when I lose it, but I face the music,” he raps. In a recent interview, he admitted that part of him still struggles with being seen as flawed. “My ego wanted to be Superman,” he said, but he’s learning to embrace being human. He compares his life post-incident to kintsugi, the Japanese practise of repairing broken pottery with gold. “You can look at it as a mess, or as a chance to rebuild something stronger.”


- YouTubeyoutu.be


Smith says he’s putting more focus on his lyricism this time. While his acting career has earned him critical acclaim, he admits his music didn’t always match that level and now, he’s aiming higher.

Credit- Instagram/willsmith roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms

In recent months, Smith has been slowly stepping back into the public eye, appearing at Coachella with J Balvin and recreating scenes from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on TikTok. Whether this marks a lasting return to music or not, Based on a True Story promises to be Smith’s most personal project yet.

More For You

Shekhar Kapur Calls Out Amazon for Censoring Bandit Queen

Shekhar Kapur criticizes Amazon Prime for altering Bandit Queen without consent

Getty Images

Shekhar Kapur praises 'Adolescence': “A game-changer in storytelling that redefines how we connect with characters”

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has expressed his frustration over the changes made to his 1994 film Bandit Queen on Amazon Prime Video, claiming it has been edited beyond recognition without his consent. His remarks came after he praised the Netflix miniseries Adolescence for its innovative storytelling, pointing out the creative limitations faced by Indian filmmakers.

Kapur took to social media to commend Adolescence, calling it a game-changer in storytelling. He noted that the series defies traditional narrative structures and allows viewers to deeply connect with its characters. However, while applauding the British crime drama, he also raised concerns about the restrictions imposed on Indian creators by streaming platforms.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hans Zimmer

The legendary composer reveals why a single software synth powers 90% of his blockbuster film scores

Getty Images

Hans Zimmer reveals he creates 90% of his scores using just one synth plugin, find out which one!

Hans Zimmer is known for his grand, immersive film scores, but when it comes to his tools, he keeps things surprisingly simple. In a recent interview with musician and YouTuber Rick Beato, Zimmer revealed that nearly all his compositions are crafted using just one software synthesiser—the u-he ZebraHZ.

Zimmer’s conversation with Beato was part of the promotion for his latest project, Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert, a concert film and documentary blending live performances with behind-the-scenes insights. While the discussion covered various aspects of his career, from working on Inception and Dune to overcoming stage fright (with a little help from Paul McCartney), one of the most fascinating takeaways was his approach to technology in music production.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star is both a symbol of her success and a lightning rod for political debate

Getty Images

Gal Gadot's Walk of Fame ceremony obstructed by Pro-Palestinian protests

Hollywood actor Gal Gadot, known globally for her roles in Wonder Woman and the Fast & Furious franchise, was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What was supposed to be a celebratory occasion turned tense as both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashed outside the venue. The event, which recognised Gadot's contributions to the film industry, became a focal point for political dissent amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Protests break out at the ceremony

The ceremony was overshadowed by dozens of protesters who gathered near the event just before its conclusion. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carried signs with slogans such as "Heroes Fight Like Palestinians," "No Other Land Won Oscar," and "Viva Viva Palestina." Their messages underscored solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict and opposition to Gadot, who is seen as a symbol of Israeli nationalism by some protestors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anurag Kashyap

Kashyap vs. Netflix India – The Sacred Games director criticizes Netflix India for lacking vision and prioritizing numbers over meaningful content.

Getty Images

Anurag Kashyap slams Netflix India for stifling creativity, calls them "dishonest and morally bankrupt"

Anurag Kashyap has never been one to hold back, and this time, his frustration is aimed squarely at Netflix India. The filmmaker, who helped launch the platform's first Indian original series, Sacred Games, took to Instagram to vent about the hypocrisy of Netflix's content policies.

Kashyap was full of praise for Adolescence, a British crime drama that has been receiving critical acclaim. He called it a masterclass in filmmaking and performance, admitting he felt both admiration and envy. According to him, such bold storytelling would never be approved for production in India by Netflix.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gwyneth Paltrow & Timothée Chalamet

Gwyneth Paltrow reveals she and Timothée Chalamet had ‘a lot of sex’ in 'Marty Supreme'

Instagram/ fotogramas_es

Gwyneth Paltrow reveals she and Timothée Chalamet had ‘a lot of sex’ in 'Marty Supreme'

Gwyneth Paltrow is returning to the big screen after years away, and she’s making headlines for more than just her comeback. In her latest film, "Marty Supreme," the actress shares the screen with Timothée Chalamet in a sports comedy that promises plenty of drama and a lot of intimacy.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Paltrow revealed that the film features a significant number of sex scenes between her and Chalamet. The two actors play characters caught in a complicated relationship, with Paltrow’s role being that of a woman married to a member of the so-called "Ping-Pong mafia." Her character's life takes a turn when she meets Chalamet’s, leading to a passionate yet a transactional dynamic.

Keep ReadingShow less