Will Smith’s musical comeback falls flat as first album in decades sells poorly.
Will Smith’s highly anticipated music comeback seems to have hit a rough patch, with his latest album, “Based On A True Story,” failing to make a significant impact on the charts. The album, which marks Smith’s return to the music scene after 20 years, sold a meager 268 copies in its first week in the UK.
Despite expectations for a strong comeback, the album’s performance has been disappointing. Only 232 copies were streamed, and it was downloaded just 36 times. Additionally, the album failed to crack the Top 200 following its release, marking the first time one of his albums has failed to chart in the US.
The album’s lackluster sales come amidst a tumultuous period for Smith, who faced backlash for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The incident led to his ban from the ceremony for ten years and caused Netflix to halt production on his film “Fast and Loose.”
“Based On A True Story” features collaborations with artists such as his son Jaden, rapper Big Sean, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff rose to fame in the 1990s with hits like “Summertime” and “Boom! Shake the Room.” After going solo, Smith had chart-topping singles like “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” “Miami,” and “Wild Wild West.”
Despite the album’s underwhelming performance, Smith remains optimistic about his music career. He has announced plans to release two more albums this year and has scheduled a UK tour in August, with dates in Scarborough, Cardiff, Manchester, London, and Wolverhampton.
Smith’s return to music has been highly anticipated, but it seems his comeback may require more effort to resonate with audiences. However, as an artist known for his resilience and determination, it’s likely that Smith will continue to pursue his passion for music and strive for success in the industry.