Based on a True Story” Marks His Triumphant Return to Music After 20 Years
Will Smith is reclaiming his narrative with his first full-length solo album in two decades, Based on a True Story. The album, released in 2025, sees the multi-talented star address the infamous 2022 Oscars slap and the public scrutiny that followed—delivering a defiant and introspective take on his journey back to the top.
“You Can’t Cancel an Icon”
The opening track, Int. Barbershop — Day, features Smith’s longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff and comedian B. Simone. The song introduces a chorus of voices debating Smith’s legacy, his past mistakes, and his public perception.
“Will Smith is canceled,” one voice declares, to which another quickly rebuts: “Oh, you can’t cancel no icon.”
The track boldly tackles criticisms surrounding his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith, his career, and the fallout from the Oscars incident, with Smith ultimately reminding listeners of his enduring success.
“I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back / And you know they only made him do that s–t because he’s Black,” he raps, before shifting to a self-assured tone:
“Bottom line y’all, Will Smith is wack / I mean, he rich, funny and sexy too / You wish you had a Jada Pinkett next to you.”
Owning the Narrative
On the second track, You Lookin’ for Me?, Smith declares his resilience:
“Took a lot, I’m back on top.
Y’all gon’ have to get acclimated.
Won’t stop, my s–t still hot.”
He also dismisses further speculation about his personal life, rapping, “Personal life with my wife / Mind your business, it’s complicated.”
Despite the rumors, Smith never had to return his Best Actor Academy Award for King Richard, which he won just moments after the now-infamous slap. However, the altercation led to his 10-year ban from the Academy, prompting Smith to issue a public apology to Rock.
Chris Rock’s Response & Public Backlash
The slap, which occurred after Rock joked about Jada’s shaved head—a sensitive topic due to her alopecia—sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Rock, stunned onstage, later joked that he had been hit by “Muhammad Ali,” referencing Smith’s 2001 portrayal of the legendary boxer.
Nearly a year later, Rock addressed the incident during his Netflix stand-up special Selective Outrage, stating:
“I took that hit like [Manny] Pacquiao. Did it hurt? Yeah, motherf—er, it hurt.”
Meanwhile, Jada Pinkett Smith later revealed that she was equally stunned by the moment, adding that she and Smith had been privately separated for six years at the time.
A Career Revival
Despite the controversy, Smith has steadily worked to rebuild his public image. He recently starred alongside Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die and was honored with a street named after him in his hometown of Philadelphia. His return to music with Based on a True Story marks another step in his redemption arc—one where he is unapologetically owning his past while proving his staying power.
As he raps in his latest track:
“One classic album, what that make him? Jay-Z?
Jay-Z plus movies and TV.”
With Based on a True Story, Smith isn’t just making music—he’s making a statement: Will Smith is here to stay.
