REVIEW: WILL SMITH - BASED ON A TRUE STORY

3.5/5

Will's Way

Ready for another hit from what was once Hollywood's most marketable star, who banked number one records to underscore his movies of the same name (here comes and cues the 'Men In Black')? The 'King Richard' Oscar winning Best Actor turned 'Bad Boy'. Did he really have to turn it in? Well, judging from the skit of the scene setting 'Int. Barbershop-Day' intro to Will Smith's brand-new album, featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone in soundbite, he did. With a rush of receipts like news clippings hitting the floor with all that hair, as those who like to chatter talk that gossip. Those used to this family guy's nice, clean raps, may be averse to the curse dropped here, but they shouldn't forget the bleeped out F-word on his criminally underrated protest anthem 'Tell Me Why' with the great Mary J. Blige. That was an unbelievable twenty years ago on Smith's last album 'Lost and Found', showcasing the skills of the good old, first rap Grammy days. Now for his fifth solo album (after the aforementioned and the Hollywood big-three of 'Big Willie Style', 'Willeniuum' and 'Born To Reign'), tenth if you count his classics with Jeff, the comeback is complete.

After the intro, 'Based On A True Story' moves on from the Chirs Rock slap and back to our regular scheduled programming. And we should too. Especially when Will Smith takes it back to the Fresh Prince days of his rhyming skills with 'You Lookin' For Me?' Just like turning his school blazer inside out for that lava lamp lining, even Seinfeld would be proud of and heading back to the future with a Mr. Ben costume change. W.S's. 'B.O.A.T.S.' Season 1 ('R.I.T.W.'), like Queen Latifah, even looks like a throwback, right down to the fresh 'Code Red' artwork as Philadelphia's own who rang the Liberty Bell at the latest Sixer game is decked out in Phillies gear. The big-hitter bringing it back at the same time when LL Cool J has been rocking them bells again to show us who's the real G.O.A.T. Smith brings out the big guns too. A holy Rave, YCMI and WOA Sermon for 'The Reverend' interludes of inspiration. Jac Ross' vest on his chest for 'Bulletproof'. Teyana Taylor, helping him get through 'Hard Times'. Joyner Lucas throwing a 'Tantrum'. India Martinez and Marcin's 'First Love'. And Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir for the beautiful standout 'You Can Make It', with not a dry eye in the congregation.

Yet it's the 'Beautiful Scars' single with OBanga and Detroit's own Big Sean that really hits harder. Especially when it comes to the movie of a music video that the now Instagram famous Will teased on his social media platforms, finding new life after the cancellation from his cultures. Back in the day, before Keanu Reeves, Will Smith was meant to be the one to play Neo in 'The Matrix'. Yet, he did 'Wild Wild West' instead. And you thought that other thing was the biggest mistake he made (it really was). This wild west duel is as crazy as the time he almost played 'Django', before Jamie Foxx showed how unchained he really was. Fun fact, Foxx actually appears multiple-times on the 'Big Willie Style' of the 'Independence Day' and 'Six Degrees Of Separation' star Smith's debut album as Keith B Real in those legendary interludes and even gets slapped...by Jada. Willie tells us to keep all that business out of our mouths before a 'Rave In The Wasteland' that feels like the party Pinkett went to in 'The Matrix 2', but reloaded Will even makes records with his kids now. Dodge that! As 'The Pursuit Of Happyness' and 'After Earth' co-star, Jaden appears on a 'Work Of Art' with Russ. Although, through all the wicked wisdom, we really need the best music maker of the family, Willow, whipping her hair.

Red pill, blue pill, this Slang album really goes hard when Smith goes it alone. Something he's felt over the past couple of calendars, as his most "personal and impactful work" is something that finds "resilience in difficult times." Lighting up the Grammys after his Academy ban, Will knows his way around working a stage. And tracks like 'Make It Look Easy' ("Give it to me when the game on the line/Rain or shine, all fine, all fine, yeah/Give it to me when we runnin' outta time (Runnin' outta time)/Get behind me when they comin' for you/I take the hits and the misses/The risks and the disses (Ha-ha, look)/Even when they happy or they vicious/That don't change who Will Smith is") track that. The comeback may fall a little short at times (like 'Bad Boys: Ride Or Die' with another legendary comic, Martin Lawrence, didn't), and the 'Selective Outrage' of Chris Rock's own Netflix one may have hit harder, but we just hope these two former 'Fresh Prince' episode co-stars can get it together again, like we always knew Smith could rap. From 'Summertime' to shaking the room with a boom. Some just don't understand, but this man is more than nothing but trouble, even if some have already burst his bubble. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Beautiful Scars (Feat. Big Sean and OBanga)', 'You Can Make It (Feat. Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir)', 'Work Of Art (Feat Russ & Jaden)'.

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