Current:Home > InvestWill Smith resurges rap career with new single 'Work of Art' -TradeCircle
Will Smith resurges rap career with new single 'Work of Art'
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:53:31
The Fresh Prince is officially back in the rap game.
Will Smith released the debut single "Work of Art" off of his upcoming album Friday along with its music video. The track features Smith's son Jaden and singer Russ on the vocals with the Grammy-winning rapper reflecting on the different aspects of his personality.
"I am Musa, I am Jesus / I am Judas, I am the judge / I am the victim, and I'm the shooter / I'm in the Torah, and the Koran, and in the Bible / I am a shepherd / I am a leader, and a disciple," Smith, 55, smoothly raps.
He also alludes to his struggle in the public eye after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
"They tried to censor me / But then they sent for me," he raps in one section, adding in the chorus, "I am a saint, but if you touch, I am a savage."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Will Smith returns to musicwith uplifting BET Awards 2024 performance of 'You Can Make It'
Throughout the music video, Smith reveals to Russ that he recorded over 20 songs for his upcoming project. "'Work of Art' was the song where I found my voice. It was like 'Ah! That’s what I want to talk about,'" he says as the two become part of a museum display.
Smith has been teasing his return to music in the past few months with an appearance during J. Balvin's Coachella set in April, followed by the first live performance of his song "You Can Make It" at the BET Awards in June and a surprise appearance at La Velada Del Año 4 earlier this month.
Teasing his fifth album, the "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" star wrote on Instagram on July 12, "The Theme of the music I’ve been working on is 'Dance in your Darkest Moments.' Over the past couple of years I’ve had to learn a different way to be with adversity — a different way to face hard times."
The actor's most recent studio album was “Lost and Found,” released in 2005. The album sold a half-million copies and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Contributing: Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson
veryGood! (6521)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Trump's 'stop
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Average rate on 30
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Recommendation
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode