Will Smith is set to drop his first album in 20 years.
The Oscar winner announced Friday (March 14) that his fifth album, Based on a True Story, will release March 28. The 14-track project includes singles “You Can Make It” with Fridayy and Sunday Service, “Beautiful Scars” featuring Big Sean and OBanga, and “Work of Art” with Russ and Jaden. Other guest artists include Teyana Taylor, Joyner Lucas, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
The actor-rapper, who began his career as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, released his last album Lost and Found in 2005. Besides his upcoming project, he recently collaborated with Spanish singer India Martinez on “First Love.”
During a February livestream with xQc, Smith revealed (around the 54-minute mark) he’ll be releasing album “seasons” with songs as “episodes.”
“I’m calling it seasons,” Smith said. “So, I’m releasing it like a TV show. I’m releasing season one at the end of March, and then I’m going to release season two at the end of July.”
He added, “Season one is called Rave in the Wasteland. … The first stuff that I wrote, you know, I kind of disappeared and went inside.”
Smith revealed his “big dream” is for the project to expand across media formats, eventually becoming both a TV show and movie.