Artist Spotlight

Will Smith Taps Jay-Z & Kendrick Lamar for Timeless Wisdom on New Album

After stepping away from music for twenty years, Will Smith knew he had to return to rap with careful thought and honesty. With the music industry changing so fast, the Oscar-winning actor and hip-hop star wasn’t interested in releasing an album that felt out of touch or fake. That’s where two of the biggest names in rap, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, came in to help. In a recent interview, Smith shared that these influential rappers gave him important advice that shaped his new album, “Based on a True Story,” which marks his long-awaited return to music.

He first reached out to Jay-Z, who knows a lot about staying relevant in the music scene. Jay-Z told him, “Be true to your story.” He encouraged Smith not to pretend to be like younger artists but to share his own experiences. This became the foundation for the album’s title, it’s all about Smith’s real-life experiences, presented honestly. Rather than chase after current trends, he focused on what makes his story unique, ensuring his comeback feels real and significant. Next, he spoke with Kendrick Lamar, a modern rap superstar known for his deep lyrics and storytelling skills.

While Smith didn’t go into specifics about Kendrick’s advice, it inspired him to push himself creatively and to take risks with his music. For Will Smith, this new album isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s a new beginning. With guidance from Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, he’s returning to music with authenticity and a fresh sense of purpose. Even after two decades away, with “Based on a True Story,” Will Smith shows that true artistry, rooted in genuine experiences, never goes out of style.

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Related Topics:Jay Z Kendrick Lamar Will Smith

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Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses“ is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires“ is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home“ by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

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