Will Smith Talks New Album and Reveals Advice from Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar

Ahead of the release of his new album, Will Smith sat down with “Sway in the Morning’s” Sway Calloway and Heather B in front of a live audience at The Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia. Check out the full interview anytime on the SiriusXM app and throughout the week in cars on SiriusXM’s Shade 45 (Ch. 45).

Sway & Will SmithLive interview from PhiladelphiaListen on the AppListen on the App

Sway & Will Smith: Live Interview

During the interview, the actor and rapper talked about his upcoming album, “Based on a True Story,” revealed the music advice hip-hop legends Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar shared with him, reflected on being more introspective the last three years, and much more.

“Jay said, ‘Don’t fake your story,’” Will said of the advice from Jay-Z. “He was like, ‘You gotta say what’s true for you and you’ll be looking at the younger rappers and you’ll want that to be true to you, but you don’t live like that. Be true to your story. Tell your story.’ And that’s where I got the ‘Based on a True Story,’ from Jay.”

“And Kendrick said, ‘Man, just say that shit you always been f—ing scared to say,’” Will added.

Dropping on March 28, “Based on a True Story” marks Will’s first full-length project in 20 years after his album “Lost And Found” (2005). See the full tracklist for the LP below.

“Based On A True Story” Tracklist:

1. Int. Barbershop – Day (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone)

2. You Lookin’ for Me?

3. The Reverend (Rave Sermon)

4. Rave in the Wasteland

5. Bulletproof (feat. Jac Ross)

6. Hard Times (Smile) (feat. Teyana Taylor)

7. Beautiful Scars (with Big Sean, feat. OBanga)

8. Tantrum (feat. Joyner Lucas)

9. First Love

10. Make It Look Easy

11. The Reverend (YCMI Sermon)

12. You Can Make It

13. Work of Art (featuring Jaden)

14. The Reverend (WOA Sermon)

On Shade 45’s “Sway in the Morning,” Sway Calloway and his co-hosts Heather B and Tracy G sit down with guests from the world of film, music, sports, and more. They also touch on the wild world of celebrity news, politics, and current events daily from the SiriusXM Studios. Listen to Shade 45 anytime live in cars and on the SiriusXM app.