If you’re below a certain age you probably only know Will Smith from the movies — but that is about to change.
Those of us of a certain vintage first knew Will Smith as one half of the clean-cut hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, then as the titular character of the hit TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Smith had several top 40 hits after that, usually tied into his blockbuster movies, but for the most part he has moved on as a serious actor — even receiving Oscar nominations for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness.
But now Smith is getting back to his musical roots and teaming up with DJ Jazzy Jeff again for a reunion, with all new jams.
In an episode of The Graham Norton Show airing today on the BBC, Smith revealed the pair already have new tracks recorded and a world tour planned this summa-summa-summertime.
“We’ve recorded about 25 songs and have four or five I actually like,” Smith said. “Jeff and I will be back here [in the U.K.] this summer to do shows, real shows.”
“I’m terrified,” he added. “I’m really ready, man, I got a whole lotta heart to share and I’m excited about getting it into my music.”
More:Jada Pinkett Smith explains why she’s boycotting the Oscars
Smith also talked about the quick reaction by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to the backlash about the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations this year.
“I was very pleased at how quickly and aggressively the Academy responded,” he said in a separate BBC interview.
“I think that it’s not us and them — it’s we. I’m a member of the Academy, so it’s much more a domestic family issue than it is a civil rights issue, so it’s a problem we all have to solve.”
Smith has won four Grammys out of eight nominations. His last album was released in 2005.
More:Will Smith labels his marriage ‘grueling’ and ‘excruciating’ in new interview
Leave a Comment