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I dont wanna sound too harsh, but this is what i honestly feel. I don't know what it is, but Will sounds off. It's like he's trying too hard to come off as dominant, superior, hard and at the same time he lacks confidence... which gives me a feeling of not being authentic. I totally understand why people are annoyed, especially the younger generation. He probably comes off as somebody who just started rapping. I have also read some comments and you really can't refute the criticism, when people f.e. point out that he rhymed "tonight" with "tonight" three times on Pretty Girls. His flow is very basic, his rhyme scheme is the same as 20 years ago. It looks like he never touched the pen in the past 20 years. As i mentioned previously, i think he is way behind his peers like LL, Rakim, Nas, which is very sad. His rap persona ego is just too big compared to what he delivers. I'm sorry that i couldn't be more positive and i don't wanna spoil the excitement, but as a long time fan i just had to express my true feelings. I still hope that he will go back to his roots and make some fun storytelling tracks with Jeff.

I really agree with Def. Yes he’s having fun and doing his thing which I can respect, but it’s very forced. Listen to the new albums by LL, KRS, and the multiple recent albums by Nas. They adapted but still kept that old school vibe that makes them genuine. Will isn’t really doing that. I don’t know how else to word it. He’s not reading the room at all. one thing I always wanted to see Will do is come back and embrace hip hop. Work with some bigger producers. Spit real raps. Tap into his fresh prince side. But in reality he’s too busy trying to catch lightning in a bottle with a quick hit on some average beats. This isn’t what we wanted. I was listening to big Willie style the other day and it’s crazy how much more of an emcee he sounds like compared to today. Yes he was younger but that’s no excuse. Others can do it. No reason he can’t.

Will Smith being interviewed on the Big Time Podcast in Saudi Arabia. I don't believe this interview has been posted anywhere on this site.

Thanks for sharing! Yeah, I think this is the first time he has done 'Light Em Up' live. And I really enjoyed that old school hip hop section as well.

so far this is the largest chunk I’ve found of the show. Not great footage but it is what it is. Really impressed with what I’ve seen so far. The “old school hip hop” section was unreal. Think this is the first time he’s performed “light em up”. shocked to see “get lit” make a return lol.

Will in Morocco https://www.instagram.com/willsmith/p/DLXh1rxMqgC/

It's strange. A lot of comments for this era have been positive outside of "Pretty Girls". I guess this channel just isn't for him. I will say that host is super annoying.

I want more of this!

It is a summer banger. Specially the sped up version.

Yeah the comments are brutal. I feel like he just can’t win. People just keep hating on him.

Couldn’t disagree more

Y’all need to lighten up. (And I’m not including the random bots that just ascended upon us)

I just thought she was more talking about the album, but slipped up and will didn’t want to embarrass her. But I’d be happy to be wrong (as I’m one of the few who really enjoys the song)

This is spot on for me. I’m honestly surprised how many people are so negative on this considering how he used to release goofy music with JJ all the time. And no I don’t think all of those were great either, some were downright absurd like “she bit me”. But they don’t all need to be serious or deep. I think this one is fun and I honestly haven’t been seeing any more negatively in the comments than any of his other releases. I dunno I’d take this over “get lit” any damn day of the week. Don’t listen to the haters man, I’m with you. So far I’ve also seen positive feedback about it. Been waiting so long for Will to get back into music, and I was hoping he would also release some fun tracks. I also like this better than “first love” and maybe even “beautiful scars” Ridiculous comment