Philadelphia, Pennsylvania actor, rapper & film producer Will Smith returning after 2 decades to put out his 5th studio LP. Breaking out as 1/2 of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, the duo put out 5 albums until disbanding as a result of Will’s acting career taking off. He made his solo debut in the summer of 1997 signing to Columbia Records for Big Willie Style, which was followed by Willenium & later Born to Reign fulfilling his contract. Big Willie went over to Interscope Records for Lost & Found celebrating it’s 20-year anniversary this weekend, focusing on acting up until Based on a True Story.

“Barbershop Day” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince reunites the duo to start us off talking about people cancelling him for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars because of what he said regarding his wife Jada Pinkett Smith whereas “You Lookin’ for Me?” talks about not being so hard to find. After the “Rave Sermon” interlude, “Rave in the Wasteland” goes for more of a Christian hip hop vibe tackling themes of religion leading into “Bulletproof” talking about dancing in Hell & high waters.

Meanwhile on “Hard Times (Smile)”, we have The Fresh Prince talking about smiling through the pain one might be going through in their lives at the moment leading into the decent pop rap single “Beautiful Scars” featuring Big Sean addressing religious subject matter again. “Tantrum” featuring Joyner Lucas gives a glimpse of what’s to come from their upcoming collab effort even if it’s not that satisfying & “1st Love” was a decent Valentine’s Day cut with some Latin influences.

“Make It Look Easy” boasts that he’s the artist that they call for when they hard to mess up & after the “YCMI Sermon” interlude, “You Can Make It” produced by FNZ pulls from the Christian hip hop scene once again telling people to hold on & assuring them they’ll make it in the end. Ahead of the “WOA Sermon” outro, the final song “Work of Art” featuring his son Jaden on the hook & a verse from Russ was one of the worst singles of last year since it feels like the musical equivalent of having your parents telling you the music you listen to is trash.

Can’t say it’s one of the worst things that I’ve heard all year but almost 20 years to the day since Lost & Found, the Philly icon returns to his pop rap roots although it feels as mediocre as the Interscope-backed predecessor and even his final Columbia offering Born to Reign. I will say it’s cool to hear him adapting to the modern trap sounds & even trying to put together a Christian hip hop concept, although I can’t say the same for some of the production & the features.

Score: 2/5

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