Oscar-winning actor Will Smith is set to make his long-awaited return to music, announcing that his latest album will be released on March 28 – marking his first in two decades. 

The actor, rapper, and producer shared the news via Instagram on Sunday, revealing the title ‘Based on a True Story’ and urging fans to pre-save the album, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“It’s OFFICIAL!! My new album, Based on a True Story, drops on 28 March. TWO WEEKS!! Hit that presave. Been working on this project for a minute and I’m itchin’ to get it out to y’all,” he wrote to his 69.5 million followers. 

The 14-track record will see Smith reunite with longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff and include features from Teyana Taylor and Jac Ross. In January, he released Beautiful Scars, a single featuring Big Sean and Obangain. 

Smith first rose to fame as a rapper in the late 1980s as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, producing hits such as ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ and ‘Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble’, both of which gained significant airplay on MTV.

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His musical career flourished alongside his acting, particularly after starring in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He later produced title tracks for films such as ‘Men in Black’ and ‘Wild Wild West’, reaching his peak with 1997’s ‘Big Willie Style’ before releasing three more albums. 

Despite his success, Smith is still rebuilding his public image following the 2022 Oscars controversy, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

The incident led to a 10-year ban from the Academy Awards, casting a shadow over his otherwise illustrious career. 

Now, Smith appears eager to reclaim his musical legacy with his latest project.

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