It was just a slap. Although Will Smith’s unexpected appearance onstage during a prominent awards ceremony made headlines around the world and became a meme, it was merely a slap. Did Chris Rock deserve to make those jokes? No. Should Will Smith consider anger management classes? Likely. Should he have released this disappointing new album? Definitely not.
‘Based On A True Story’ is, frankly, a waste of time for everyone involved. Will Smith can capture international attention just by replicating 90s dance moves alongside a fellow Fresh Prince cast member – he can create affection in a heartbeat. This album fails to play to anyone's strengths; it is often superficial and at times downright bizarre, making it a tedious listen throughout its brief duration.
There are some notable moments, however. Jazzy Jeff’s appearance on the Fresh Prince referencing ‘Barbershop’ serves as a brief interlude that might be the only highlight of the album. This segment recalls his (often quite good) Golden Age singles, representing the one moment the record indulges in that style.
‘You Lookin’ For Me’ is, from the start, dreadful. At certain points, you might question if this is just the demo track – the opening line features “la de da de / I like to party,” and it only declines from there. A sermon – one of the album’s recurring themes – segues into ‘Rave In The Wasteland’, a song best described as a derivative of Ye’s ‘Black Skinhead’ but lacking the original's raw energy.
Ye's influence is indeed evident throughout the album. ‘Bulletproof’ is infused with the Chicago artist’s spirit – even the piano riff is reminiscent of ‘College Dropout’ – while the Sunday Service Choir makes an appearance on ‘WORK OF ART’.
While there is significant potential, ‘Based On A True Story’ falters due to its lack of substance. Will Smith, never known for his robust rap style, struggles with the rapid flow in ‘TANTRUM,’ and the puzzling decision to mimic Caribbean patois on ‘Make It Look Easy’ is completely perplexing.
Jaden appears on ‘WORK OF ART,’ showing an effort for authenticity that ultimately falls flat, and the album concludes with yet another tedious statement from The Reverend.
An often insubstantial album, ‘Based On A True Story’ provides little more than superficiality. If Will Smith aimed to express his emotions through music, this album misses the mark; rather, it presents a floundering, ineffective attempt.
3/10
Words: Robin Murray
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It was just a slap. Although Will Smith's interruption onstage during a major awards show is big news around the world and quickly became a subject for memes, it was merely a