Will Smith Reveals Recommendation Given by Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar Forward of New Album

• Will Smith has revealed that he known as Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar for recommendation earlier than engaged on his new album, Primarily based on a True Story
• He recalled Jay-Z telling him, “Do not pretend your story”
• Jay-Z’s recommendation impressed the title of the album, Smith stated

Will Smith made two vital cellphone calls earlier than recording new music. 

The actor and rapper, 56, shared throughout a latest interview on Sway within the Morning that he known as Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar for recommendation earlier than returning to the music business along with his new album, Primarily based on a True Story.

“Earlier than I began, I made two cellphone calls,” Smith stated. “I talked to Jay and I talked to Kendrick. I used to be like, ‘Hey, I wish to get again in music. What’s the recommendation?’ ”

He recalled Jay-Z telling him, “Don’t pretend your story.”

Smith continued of the “Empire State of Thoughts” hitmaker’s recommendation: “He was like, ‘You gotta say what’s true for you.’ He’s like, ‘You’ll be wanting on the youthful rappers and also you need that to be true for you, however you don’t stay like that.’ He was like, ‘Be true to your story. Let you know story.’ ”

He went on to share that Jay-Z’s phrases impressed the title for the album.

As for Kendrick, Smith stated he informed him to “say that s— you’ve at all times been f—— scared to say.”

“Principally the identical factor. It was like, ‘Be trustworthy.’ It was scary,” the Males in Black star added. “That’s the factor with style. Make the document you wish to make. Don’t attempt to make the document that you simply suppose folks will such as you for. Make the one which’s genuine.”

Forward of the discharge of the album, Smith shared on Instagram that making new music was a very long time coming.

“It’s OFFICIAL!! My new album Primarily based on a True Story drops March 28. TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave. Been engaged on this challenge for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all,” he captioned the publish.

The challenge marks Smith’s first full-length album because the launch of 2005’s Misplaced and Discovered. The 14-track assortment options quite a lot of collaborators, together with DJ Jazzy Jeff — with whom Smith first made his mark in music — Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross.

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Smith first introduced the album when he unveiled his newest single, “Stunning Scars,” in January. The monitor is a collaboration with Massive Sean that includes Obanga.

The primary two songs on the album reference his notorious 2022 Oscars slap of comic Chris Rock, which resulted in him being banned from the awards present for 10 years. 

In the course of the incident, Smith slapped Rock, who was presenting onstage through the stay ceremony in response to a joke that Rock, 60, had made about Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith. The actor then returned to his seat and shouted to Rock, “Preserve my spouse’s title out of your f—— mouth!”

The primary tune, “Int. Barbershop — Day,” consists of discuss of Smith being “canceled” and the road, “I heard he received the Oscar however he needed to give it again/ And they solely made him do this s— as a result of he’s Black.”

The second tune — “You Lookin’ for Me?” — options Smith rapping, “Took lots, I’m again on high/ Y’all gon’ need to get acclimated/ Gained’t cease, my s— nonetheless scorching/ Despite the fact that I received’t get nominated.”

Primarily based on a True Story is out now.