Will Smith has officially re-entered the music game, and he’s doing it with some serious Matrix vibes. That’s right, Big Willie Style is back, and he’s dodging both metaphorical and literal bullets in his new single “Beautiful Scars.”
At 56 years young (and aging like fine Wakandan vibranium), Will Smith is reminding the world that he’s not just the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—he’s also the Fresh Prince of Bars. And if you thought he was done making headlines after that Oscars moment, think again. He’s now channeling existential dread into a whole album called Based on a True Story—his first in TWO DECADES. Yes, the last time he dropped an album, flip phones were the height of technology, and social media influencers didn’t even exist yet.
On January 30, the “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” legend unveiled “Beautiful Scars,” a song that tackles fame, mistakes, and redemption—basically, the Will Smith Cinematic Universe in musical form. And because Will doesn’t do anything halfway, the music video is basically The Matrix 5 before The Matrix 5 even happens. Alongside Big Sean (who is now officially known as “Medium Sean” next to Will’s star power), the duo bends reality, dodges lasers, and rocks outfits that Neo himself would nod approvingly at.
Now, let’s talk about the irony. You see, Will famously turned down the role of Neo in the original Matrix (yes, that Neo), a decision that probably still haunts him more than your embarrassing Facebook posts from 2009. Keanu Reeves ultimately took the role and became the internet’s eternal sweetheart, while Will went on to fight CGI robots and play matchmaker in Hitch. But now, in a plot twist worthy of the Wachowskis, Will is finally getting his Matrix moment—just in music video form.
As for Based on a True Story, we know it’ll feature tracks like “You Can Make It,” “Work of Art,” and “TANTRUM” (which may or may not be about certain award show incidents). The album is set to drop sometime in March, though exact details are still as mysterious as a Men in Black neuralyzer flash.
So, is this Will Smith’s redemption arc? His musical comeback? His way of trolling Hollywood into giving him another sci-fi blockbuster? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: The Fresh Prince is back, and he’s bringing all the smoke—slow-motion, trench coat-wearing, bullet-dodging and all.
