“Based on a True Story” sees Will Smith reflect on life, legacy, and redemption through music.
With the release of Based on a True Story, Will Smith offers his most personal artistic statement in decades. Marking his first studio album in 20 years, the 14-track project arrives via RITW/SLANG Recordings and explores themes of growth, healing, and identity.
Longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff joins the record alongside Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross, creating a sound that fuses nostalgia with forward motion. The album’s singles—“First Love,” “Beautiful Scars,” “TANTRUM,” “Work of Art,” and the Billboard Gospel No.1 “You Can Make It”—highlight Smith’s range, both lyrically and emotionally.
“You Can Make It,” featuring Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir, was introduced in a visceral performance at the 2024 BET Awards, where Smith stood in a fire pit surrounded by real flames. The song’s impact resonates as a symbol of faith and endurance.
To support the album, Smith will embark on his first-ever headlining tour. The Based on a True Story Summer Tour launches July 13 in Hamburg and features festival stops across Morocco, Spain, France, and Italy, reinforcing the global reach of his renewed artistry.
Earlier this week, Philadelphia honored Smith by renaming the street outside Overbrook High School to Will Smith Way—an acknowledgment of his cultural legacy.
Whether presenting a tribute to Quincy Jones at the GRAMMYs or returning to the stage with a revitalized perspective, Smith’s latest chapter is a powerful one. Based on a True Story is more than an album—it’s an act of reflection, ownership, and renewal.
