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Rb Hip Hop

Will Smith Is Getting Ready to Drop His First Album Since 2005

Seems like Big Willie Style is going to be venturing into Gospel rap with his upcoming project.

Will Smith

Will Smith

Alan Silfen

Will Smith says he’s hard at work — and that he might be dropping a new album soon.

The rapper and actor did an interview with Instagram account Black Film Allies where he revealed that he’s been working on new music. “Over the past year and a half, I’ve been in the studio,” he said. “I have a project that is the most personal and powerful music project I’ve ever done. The idea of the music is, ‘Dance in your darkest moments.'”


Smith performed a new song “You Can Make It” at this year’s BET Awards with the track debuting at No. 3 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. The song currently sits at No. 14 and has been on the chart for three weeks.

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He also recently posted an Instagram Reel of himself and Russ giving their song “Work of Art” the car test and mentioned that he just finished his album before introducing the clip. Will Smith hasn’t released a full-length album since 2005’s Lost and Found.

While there isn’t a title or release date yet for the project yet, there is an Instagram page and a website that’s under construction entitled Dance in Your Darkest Moments, so all signs point to that being the name of the album. The bio in the IG page says that it’s “a human wellness initiative designed to inspire self-exploration, encourage acceptance, & cultivate a celebration for life.”

Smith recently posted a clip on his Instagram breaking down how his classic song “Summertime” came about.

Many have speculated for years that Rakim ghostwrote his verses, but that urban legend was put to rest in a recent moment between the pair. “I was absolutely trying to sound like you on ‘Summertime,'” he told Rakim backstage at CBS’ A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop last year. “‘Cause I had been screaming all night, and I couldn’t get my ‘happy-go-lucky’ high voice. And then Hula just said, ‘Yo, just gimme that Rakim sh–.'”

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Check out Smith’s interview clip below:

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

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University of Alberta Study Finds 87% of Canadian Musicians View Generative AI ‘Negatively’
Photo by Erwi on Unsplash
Tech

University of Alberta Study Finds 87% of Canadian Musicians View Generative AI ‘Negatively’

The Western Canadian university surveyed 263 Canadian musicians about their thoughts on AI’s rampant rise and the use of streaming services as an artistic tool.

A new study from the University of Alberta surveyed 263 “working Canadian musicians,” asking them about their experiences working in the evolving music industry. As respondents discussed an increase in the industry’s tech advancements, namely generative AI, many were not optimistic.

Of the 142 participants who highlighted the rapid use of AI, 87% viewed it “negatively.” Many shared they are actively avoiding the tool in their music, with some explaining that it’s devaluing human-made work. As AI continues to affect the music industry, participants say that it’s becoming a challenge to bring in new listeners and earn a livable wage.

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