Will Smith Releases ‘Based on a True Story,' His First Album in 20 Years
Smith had preempted the new album with the singles 'Beautiful Scars' with Big Sean, 'First Love,' You Can Make It,' 'Tantrum' and 'Work of Art.' The album comes almost exactly 20 years ago to the day from when Smith released his last album, Lost and Found. Based on a True Story reunited Smith with DJ Jazzy Jeff and also features collaborations with Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas and Smith's son Jaden Smith. As The Hollywood Reporter reported last year, Smith signed a distribution deal with indie label Slang Records for the project.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Young Thug to Play First Live Show Since Jail Release at Summer Smash in June
Kesha Drops Country-Pop Single "Yippee-Ki-Yay" With T-Pain, Unveils New Album 'Period'
2025 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominations Unveiled: First-Time Nominee Ella Langley Leads With Eight
'The past couple of years, I've been doing a very deep exploration of who and what I truly am,' Smith said in a teaser video he posted on his Instagram hours ahead of the official release Thursday. 'The process of this album is really allowing myself to be more honest with myself than I ever have about who and what I actually am. This is about to be the greatest artistic creative period of my entire life.'
The past several years certainly have been eventful for Smith, as the actor is still in image rehabilitation mode for the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards where he slapped Chris Rock on stage over a joke Rock made about Jada Pinkett Smith.
Still Smith seems to be keeping himself busy with the new music, announcing an overseas tour earlier this month that will take him through much of Europe starting later this summer. It's unclear what the demand for the new music will be given just how long it's been since Smith has been a full-time recording artist. Speaking on 'Sway in the Morning' on Thursday, Smith recalled advice he got from Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar on recording the project.
''You gotta say what's true for you and you'll be looking at the younger rappers and you'll want that to be true to you, but you don't live like that,'' Smith revealed Jay told him. ''Be true to your story. Tell your story.' And that's where I got the Based on a True Story, from Jay.'
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More
Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More
Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Will there be a 'Ballard' Season 2? What to know
"Ballard" fans are ready for more. Throughout the first season's ten episodes, fans got to know disgraced yet determined LAPD detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who was put in charge of the department's new and underfunded cold case division. Viewers also learned of a "dangerous conspiracy within the department" as Detective Ballard peeled back layers of crimes spanning decades, including a serial killer's string of murders, with help from her team and retired detective Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver). "Detective Ballard navigates personal trauma, professional challenges, and life-threatening dangers to expose the truth," the show's official logline says. The police procedural, a spinoff of another spinoff set in the "Bosch universe," was inspired by the popular crime novels written by best-selling author Michael Connelly. "Ballard" made its debut July 9 on Amazon Prime Video, a few months after the last "Bosch: Legacy" episode aired. The streamer, unfortunately, has yet to formally announce whether "Ballard" will be, or has been, renewed for a second season. Representatives for the show declined to comment on its future, but lead Maggie Q recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the season two story arc will be "very exciting" if greenlit. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Here's what we know about "Ballard" Season 2. Will 'Ballard' return for Season 2? The jury's still out. (Amazon MGM Studios has yet to make an official decision.) But Q, who has "no sense" about the show's future, told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview that if a season two is greenlit, the cast will likely start shooting in the fall. "This industry is not what it was before," Q told THR. "It's barely recognizable to me, and shows are so expendable. They can throw out a show in two seconds, and it doesn't make a ton of difference that whole worlds and livelihoods are at stake. Studios always have options. But we have a writers' room, and they've been writing away. The arc for the second season is very exciting." The possibility of a renewal, according to Q, ultimately lies in the hands of the viewers. "It's all going to depend on what the audiences think of what we've done," Q told Men's Journal. "I'm not going to pretend I know this industry anymore. But we have a great lineup for Season 2, story-wise. So, fingers crossed." What is 'Ballard' about? "Ballard" follows LAPD Detective Renée Ballard, who is the new and fearless leader of the LAPD's underfunded and all-volunteer cold case unit. "Armed with her unwavering determination, (Detective) Ballard races against time to solve the city's most challenging cold cases, confronting the ghosts of victims past, the very real dangers of the present, and even her own past catching up to her," the show's official logline says. How to watch 'Ballard' The show premiered on Wednesday, July 9, on Prime Video. The first season, which consisted of 10 episodes, dropped on premiere day. Prime Video subscriptions are included with an Amazon Prime membership, which start at $14.99 a month, or $139 a year if you prefer to pay annually. Discounted membership options for young adults and qualifying government-assistance recipients are available. Customers can also purchase or rent a selection of media titles from Prime Video without having an Amazon Prime or Prime Video account. Watch 'Ballard' trailer Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
See SZA and Lizzo Perform ‘IRL' for the First Time in Paris
SZA and Lizzo had a twerk-off during the Grand National Tour stop in Paris. On Wednesday night, Lizzo joined her good friend SZA onstage to perform 'IRL' from her My Face Hurts From Smiling EP for the first time. 'BAD BITCH… in REAL LIFEEEE @sza !!!!!' Lizzo captioned a clip of the pair singing the track, adding the hashtag #stadiumstatus. 'Thanks for letting me throw it byke on ur stage 😗.' More from Rolling Stone SZA Calls Out Destructive AI Usage: 'Environmental Racism' Is the 'Price for Convenience' Travis Scott Says Kanye West Gave Permission to Use Demo in Motion to Dismiss 'Telekinesis' Suit Lizzo Is Rested, Restored, and Ready to Rumble on 'My Face Hurts From Smiling' Last month, Lizzo opened up about her longtime friendship with SZA, calling her 'one of the only people that I can text at 3 in the morning when I'm crashing out.' 'I really appreciate her, because she understands — and I think it's really hard for you to have someone in your life who actually fucks with you and who's known you for a long time who also understand the world that you're in,' Lizzo told Billboard. 'I think that's what I cherish the most about her. She gets me.' This is the second time Lizzo joins SZA on her co-headlining world tour with Kendrick Lamar. During the first stop of the shows in Los Angeles last month, the pair of stars performed 'Special.' At the time, Lizzo wrote on Instagram: 'BABYS FIRST STADIUM PERFORMANCE — I love u @sza u r THEE DIVA!' SZA and Lamar are set to perform in Cardiff, London, Lisbon, and Barcelona through the end of July before wrapping the European run of the tour in Stockholm on Aug. 9. SZA has also surprised fans by bringing out Kaytranada, Justin Bieber, and Doja Cat for surprise performances. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked Solve the daily Crossword
Axios
9 hours ago
- Axios
San Francisco drag landmark Oasis to close by year end
Oasis, San Francisco's beloved drag nightclub, will permanently close at the end of the year after more than a decade of serving as a cultural hub for queer nightlife. Why it matters: The closure marks the end of an era for one of the city's most celebrated LGBTQ+ venues — a space that launched careers, created a devoted community and spotlighted drag and queer performers. Driving the news: The closure, announced Monday, comes as the club has struggled with attendance post-pandemic, as well as rising costs and declining bar sales. Owner D'Arcy Drollinger had to tap into his retirement savings to keep the business afloat, he told Axios. "There is a strong community; it's just not enough. It breaks my heart," he said. Zoom in: Oasis has anchored a number of over-the-top parties and community events, and it produced campy originals in a genre Drollinger brands "Vaudeville 2.0," with titles such as " Sh*t & Champagne," " Reparations" and most recently " Jurassiq Parq." Since opening in 2014, numerous high-profile drag artists, including Snaxx and Nicki Jizz, and celebrity guests including Cher, Anderson Cooper and Jane Fonda have made appearances. What they're saying: Peaches Christ, an internationally renowned drag queen, told Axios she's "absolutely gutted." "(D'Arcy's) team built something truly vital to San Francisco's queer culture — uplifting talent, entertaining endlessly and giving both artists and patrons a home. It's hard to imagine the city without it," she said. Zoom out: While the brick-and-mortar at 298 11th St. may be closing, Oasis Arts — the nonprofit arm of the club — will continue to carry on the legacy with shows at other Bay Area venues next year, per Drollinger, who is also the city's first Drag Laureate. Claire's thought bubble: Losing Oasis — which has been such a huge part of my life — feels like losing a piece of San Francisco's heart. Since first going in 2021, I've laughed and cried in those four walls, staged two shows and met lifelong friends.
