Based on a True Story (Will Smith album)

Based on a True Story
Studio album by Will Smith
Released	March 28, 2025
Genre	Hip-hop
Length	37:08
Label	Slang
Producer	Angela Glenn Ayo Beau Nox Chller Days of 1993 FnZ Angela Glenn Chris Iaughlin Joyner Lucas Keanu L'amo Manuel Lara LastNght Leo Son LeXoskeleton Nato OmArr One Six Javonte Pollard Kyle Townsend Jason White Zach Ezzy
Will Smith chronology
Lost and Found (2005) Based on a True Story (2025)
Singles from Based on a True Story
"Beautiful Scars" Released: January 30, 2025

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
The Arts Desk
Clash	3/10
The Independent
musicOMH
The Times

Based on a True Story is the fifth studio album by American actor and rapper Will Smith. It was released on March 28, 2025, through Slang Recordings. This marks Smith's return to music after two decades since his 2005 album, Lost and Found. The album features collaborations with Big Sean, Russ, Joyner Lucas, and Smith's own son, Jaden among others. Preceding its release are the singles "Beautiful Scars" (with Big Sean), "Work of Art" includes contributions from both Russ and Jaden and "Tantrum" (featuring Joyner Lucas).

Background and promotion

Will Smith announced his fifth studio album, Based on a True Story, on Instagram, confirming its scheduled release for March 2025. Ahead of the album’s launch, he introduced several singles, including the lead track, Beautiful Scars, featuring rapper Big Sean, which debuted in late January 2025. The song’s music video draws inspiration from the 1999 film The Matrix, with Smith portraying Neo—a role he previously turned down—while Big Sean appears as Morpheus. The video incorporates iconic elements from the film, such as the red and blue pill choice, symbolizing themes of self-reflection and personal growth.

In a July 2024 interview, Smith described the album as his most personal and impactful work, highlighting its central message of finding resilience in difficult times, encapsulated in the phrase "Dance in your darkest moments".

Based on a True Story is expected to feature multiple collaborations, though details on guest artists have not yet been disclosed. Smith’s return to music has generated considerable attention, particularly given his extended break from the industry following the 2022 Oscars incident.

Smith also made an appearance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, marking his first major awards show attendance since the Oscars controversy.

Track listing

Based on a True Story track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Int. Barbershop – Day" (featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone)	Willard Smith Christian Astrop Drew Gavin Omarr Rambert Justin Scott	Lexoskeleton OmArr	1:55
2.	"You Lookin' for Me?"	W. Smith Larus Arnarson Gavin Michael McHenry LastNght Rambert	Days of 1993 LastNght OmArr	2:19
3.	"The Reverend (Rave Sermon)"	Kevin Teasley Matthew T. Wiggers	OmArr	1:26
4.	"Rave in the Wasteland"	W. Smith Gavin L'amo LastNght Rambert	Kyle Townsend L'amo LastNght OmArr	2:37
5.	"Bulletproof" (featuring Jac Ross)		Beau Nox Townsend Manuel Lara OmArr Zach Ezzy	2:56
6.	"Hard Times (Smile)" (featuring Teyana Taylor)	W. Smith Gavin Lexoskeleton Rambert	Lexoskeleton OmArr	3:31
7.	"Beautiful Scars" (with Big Sean featuring OBanga)	W. Smith Sean Anderson Chllr Lexoskeleton OmArr	Lexoskeleton OmArr	3:46
8.	"Tantrum" (featuring Joyner Lucas)	W. Smith Gary Maurice Lucas Leo Son	Lucas Leo Son	3:04
9.	"First Love" (with India Martínez and Marcin)	W. Smith India Martínez LastNght Rambert Townsend	Townsend LastNght OmArr	3:18
10.	"Make It Look Easy"	W. Smith Gavin Lexoskeleton Rambert	Lexoskeleton OmArr	3:31
11.	"The Reverend (YCMI Sermon)"	W. Smith Brian Joseph Rambert Teasley	OmArr	0:52
12.	"You Can Make It" (with Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir)	W. Smith Alejandro Borrero Isaac de Boni Gavin Manuel Lara Francis Leblanc Michael Mulé Ivanni Rodríguez Rambert Keanu Torres	Angela Glenn Ayo Chller FnZ Jason White Javonte Pollard Keanu Lara OmArr One Six Nato Chris Iaughlin	3:41
13.	"Work of Art" (with Russ featuring Jaden)	W. Smith Astrop Gavin Rambert Scott Jaden Smith Russell Vitale	Beau Nox Lexoskeleton OmArr	3:25
14.	"The Reverend (WOA Sermon)"		OmArr	0:46
Total length:				37:10

Personnel

Musicians

• Will Smith – vocals
• Marcin – guitar (track 9)
• Mason Sacks – guitar (track 9)
• Alex Rozo – vocals (track 9)
• Briseyda Zarate – vocals (track 9)
• Cristina Lucio – vocals (track 9)
• Vanessa Albalos – vocals (track 9)
• Aja Grant – vocals (track 12)
• Alex Jacke – vocals (track 12)
• Alex Simone – vocals (track 12)
• Ashley Echols – vocals (track 12)
• Ashly Williams – vocals (track 12)
• Bijan Slack – vocals (track 12)
• Chara Hammonds – vocals (track 12)
• Chelsea "BriJolie" Miller – vocals (track 12)
• Claudia Cunningham – vocals (track 12)
• Dwanna Orange – vocals (track 12)
• Eric Lyn – vocals (track 12)
• Fallynn Rian – vocals (track 12)
• George Lovett – vocals (track 12)
• Jasmine Rose Patton – vocals (track 12)
• Jason White – vocals (track 12)
• JeRonelle McGhee – vocals (track 12)
• Jerel Duren – vocals (track 12)
• Joel Quinn – vocals (track 12)
• Kimberly Johnson – vocals (track 12)
• Lanita Smith – vocals (track 12)
• Porsche Clay – vocals (track 12)

Technical

• Colin Leonard – mastering (tracks 1–6, 9, 10, 14)
• Nicholas De Porcel – mastering (track 12)
• Stan Greene – mixing (tracks 1, 2, 9)
• Federico Giordano – mixing (tracks 3–6, 10)
• Patrizio "Teezio" Pigliapoco – mixing (tracks 3–6, 10)
• Leo Son – mixing, engineering (track 8)
• Nato – mixing (tracks 11, 14), engineering (1, 2, 4–6, 8–10, 12)
• Brandon Blatz – mixing (track 12)
• Derek "MixedByAli" Ali – mixing (track 12)
• Chris Kahn – engineering (tracks 1–6, 11, 14)
• Berenice Gonzalo – engineering (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10)
• Adam "Yukon" Harr – engineering (tracks 4–6)

Reception

Soon after the album's release, Based on a True Story would receive negative reviews from both fans and critics. The Independent awarded the album 2 out of 5 stars, critiquing its lack of innovation: "It seems fair for Smith to want to exorcise the past few years, unpacking his perceived mistreatment by both the press and the public. It’s just a shame that he’s chosen to do it with quasi-inspirational songs that lack energy."

Similarly, Clash rated the project 3 out of 10, describing it as superficial: "An often-insubstantial record, Based on a True Story doesn’t offer much beyond surface-level engagement. If Will Smith aimed to candidly express his emotions, the album misses the mark; instead, it comes across as a disjointed and ineffective endeavor."