Since the turn of the 21st century, few individuals have dominated the entertainment industry as profoundly as Will Smith. In many ways, Smith has been the face of American entertainment and a supremely bankable global cultural brand. What’s remarkable is that, for much of that time, music - the field that launched his career and served as the foundation for his transition into television, film, and iconic cultural status - was not even an active part of his creative pursuits.

However, after nearly 20 years of musical inactivity — and almost three years after Smith's infamous “Oscar slap” incident that forced him out of the limelight - Smith has recently released a new single titled “Beautiful Scar” with Big Sean. After such a long hiatus from music, the question that immediately came to mind was: does "Big Willie" still have what it takes? While Smith has consistently demonstrated his boundless creative energy, almost two decades away from such a fast-moving industry makes it seem unlikely that he can still "spit dope rhymes" that resonate with the public.

"Beautiful Scars" Is A Reminder Of How Good Will Smith's Music Is

He's Still The Rhyme Master

As he made clear in the quintessential Smith track "Lost and Found" from his 2005 album of the same name (coincidentally, his last studio album), Smith brings years of experience, history, and gravitas to the hip hop industry. He is, indeed, a true OG rhyme master. So, even though he's been away from the game for years, any new material he releases commands a certain level of respect.

I paid dues, now dudes pay attention. I live for it, even though the flicks is hittin' ... Speak on it, cause I saw it happen. This is Hip Hop dawg, I ain't just rappin'.

That's precisely the mindset I took with his new release, "Beautiful Scar." However, my initial reaction to the track was that signature Smith hook that captivates listeners and leaves them wanting more. Indeed, who can forget the iconic "drums please" introduction to "Summertime", the boisterous hip hop intro beat of "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson", or the buoyantly jubilant start to "Getting Jiggy With It"?

In contrast, with "Beautiful Scar", Smith dives straight into the song, forgoing a traditional intro. Perhaps, at this stage in his career, he no longer feels the need to "invite" listeners into his musical world. Fans will either follow voluntarily or not – and Smith seems uninterested in winning over any "haters".

Over OBanga’s chunky beats and Big Sean’s harmonies, Smith delivers soulful, retro-inspired rap that harkens back to a time when his signature style stood as a genre of its own.

However, as the song progresses, Smith makes it clear that he has lost none of what he calls his “rhyme capability” and “hip hop versatility.” Over OBanga’s chunky beats and Big Sean’s harmonies, Smith delivers soulful, retro-inspired rap that harkens back to a time when his signature style stood as a genre of its own - carving out a space within hip hop often dominated by more intense or confrontational themes. As before, the Matrix-inspired "Beautiful Scars" video highlights how rap can be both entertaining and enjoyable without relying on edginess or controversy.

I Still Need Will Smith To Finish This Rap He Posted On YouTube In 2018

It Could Be The Best Thing Smith's Released In Years

While Beautiful Scars is the best single Smith's released in 20 years, it is far from the best music he has created during that time. Though Smith’s public music career has been on hiatus since 2005, behind the scenes, he has never stopped making music -whether for himself or in collaboration with others.

In a 2018 video from his YouTube channel, he gives fans a glimpse into a studio session where he was vibing to a track in progress. The clip pulls back the curtain on an impressive work-in-progress that, if fully realized, could make for an incredible single - one that would be a perfect announcement of his return to music.

The track is a fantastic fusion of Smith the rapper and Smith the global, box-office-dominating movie star. On one hand, it highlights the very qualities that make him such a compelling rapper - the humorous, playfully boastful energy that leans into his ego in a self-aware way, all while remaining focused on a simple yet powerful goal: making people smile, sing, and dance. Even in its “half-baked” form, it stands out as a truly remarkable piece. In fact, I believe many of his fans would be just as excited as I am to finally hear a fully realized, updated version.

Is Will Smith Releasing More New Music?

His Next Album Is Slated For Release In March 2025

There is no doubt that Will Smith is back. Even with the Oscar controversy now firmly in his career’s rearview mirror, he has been cautiously stepping back into the public eye. In 2024, he returned to the big screen with the release of the fourth Bad Boys film, and news broke that a sequel to his 2007 smash hit I Am Legend was in the works. Musically, he made a splash with his performance at the BET Awards in Los Angeles last summer, but even more striking was the unexpected release of "Beautiful Scars".

Given how long it had been since Smith last released music, "Beautiful Scars" was initially seen as a “toe-dipping” exercise - testing whether he was still a viable force in the industry. However, as reported by Variety, shortly after the release of “Beautiful Scars,” Smith revealed that it wasn’t just a one-off but rather the first single from his first album in decades. The album, titled Based on a True Story, is set to be released in March 2025. If this holds true, 2025 will mark the triumphant return of one of hip-hop’s most iconic figures - none other than Will Smith.

Sources: Variety