NEWS
Will Smith is a hip hop legend. His presence within the genre is so outsized its hard to believe it's been two decades since he last dropped an album. The dry spell of the Fresh Prince will be coming to an end, however. Smith has confirmed that his comeback album, Based on a True Story, is not only complete but will be releasing much sooner than fans expected. To make matters even more exciting, the rapper put out the tracklist and the guest features who will be appearing on the album.
Will Smith's comeback album will be dropping on Friday, March 28. The rapper is going for symmetry with this date, since his last album, Lost and Found, was released March 29, 2005. We see you, Will. It would take to long to recount all of the different rap trends and styles that have come and gone in this time span, but it's obvious from the features that Smith is caught up. He will be partnering with friends new and old for Based on a True Story, which feels like a fitting summation of his career up to this point. Yes, before you ask, there will be a DJ Jazzy Jeff reunion.
The legendary DJ will link up with his former partner on the album opener, "Barbershop Day." Simone will also be featured on the song. Big Sean and OBanga were already touted as a features, since they spit on the lead single "Beautiful Scars." But we now have confirmation that the artists (and the song) will appear on the final tracklist. India Martinez and Marcin will team up on the song "First Love." Teyana Taylor will bring her talents to the duet "Hard Times (Smile)." Joyner Lucas enlisted Will Smith for his 2020 tribute, "Will," so it makes sense the latter would return the favor by inviting him on "Tantrum." Will Smith's son Jaden will also appear Based on a True Story.
As you'll notice from the back cover art, Based on a True Story follows a unique structure. The songs are billed as "episodes," playing into Will Smith's theme of the album being season a TV. "I'm releasing it in seasons," he told Power 105.1. "So I have three seasons. I'm not calling it an album. I'm calling it season one of Based on a True Story. Season one is called Rave In the Wasteland and season two is a Quincy Jones quote. Season two is called The Gift of Madness." Sounds like we have a trilogy on our hands.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso honored Shyne with a key to the city during a ceremony held at the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo on Saturday. The recognition highlighted both his influence in hip hop and his contributions as a public figure and advocate. Reynoso also declared April 25, 2026 as “Shyne Day” in Brooklyn.
“Shyne embodies what is possible when a community believes in its young people, and the magic that can happen when young people are given the resources they need to thrive. East Flatbush raised Shyne, and it only made sense to present him with the Key to Brooklyn as we team up to deliver hope and opportunity to dozens of young men today,” Reynoso said at the event, as caught by BK Reader.
Shyne also addressed the crowd. “This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass that love forward,” he said. “There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate this milestone than coming back home and pouring into the next generation.” He also revealed that everyone in attendance would receive complimentary tickets to his 25th anniversary concert on May 2 at the Kings Theatre.
The show will mark 25 years since the release of his self titled debut studio album, which arrived on September 26, 2000. Even while Shyne was incarcerated at the time, the project debuted and reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart. It moved close to 160,000 units in its opening week.
Earlier this week, Shyne posted a video of himself standing outside the Kings Theatre on Instagram while promoting the upcoming performance. "Can’t wait to see you this Saturday, May 2 @kingsbklyn as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Shyne Album…..the celebration will continue @crownhilltheatre where I will meet, take pictures and party with you, my loyal supporters, who’ve made Shyne a Rap Legend," he captioned the post. Fans filled the comments with fire emojis in response.
