JumpinJack AJ

Rakim just released his new album, G.O.Ds Network: Reb7rth. A collaboration remix with them, with Jeff on production, would be perfect. Jeff and Rakim have done a handful of shows in recent years. This only makes sense and would boost interest in both of their albums. Plus, if Will's album is leaning toward modern rap, a classic Hip-Hop remix would hit the spot for those of us wanting that.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/07/26/will-smith-new-song-rap-work-of-art/74554958007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawERYq5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRxCYkeMqFvhrz_mC6piT7sgvwkvwvEQYnntynxd9NuBOruAzrohT5IpTg_aem_M6kdJEjLoX2TeaApzZn4bw Will Smith resurges rap career with new single 'Work of Art' Naledi Ushe USA TODAY The Fresh Prince is officially back in the rap game. Will Smith released the debut single "Work of Art" off of his upcoming album Friday along with its music video. The track features Smith's son Jaden and singer Russ on the vocals with the Grammy-winning rapper reflecting on the different aspects of his personality. "I am Musa, I am Jesus / I am Judas, I am the judge / I am the victim, and I'm the shooter / I'm in the Torah, and the Koran, and in the Bible / I am a shepherd / I am a leader, and a disciple," Smith, 55, smoothly raps. He also alludes to his struggle in the public eye after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. "They tried to censor me / But then they sent for me," he raps in one section, adding in the chorus, "I am a saint, but if you touch, I am a savage." Will Smith returns to musicwith uplifting BET Awards 2024 performance of 'You Can Make It' Throughout the music video, Smith reveals to Russ that he recorded over 20 songs for his upcoming project. "'Work of Art' was the song where I found my voice. It was like 'Ah! That’s what I want to talk about,'" he says as the two become part of a museum display. Smith has been teasing his return to music in the past few months with an appearance during J. Balvin's Coachella set in April, followed by the first live performance of his song "You Can Make It" at the BET Awards in June and a surprise appearance at La Velada Del Año 4 earlier this month. Teasing his fifth album, the "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" star wrote on Instagram on July 12, "The Theme of the music I’ve been working on is 'Dance in your Darkest Moments.' Over the past couple of years I’ve had to learn a different way to be with adversity — a different way to face hard times." The actor's most recent studio album was “Lost and Found,” released in 2005. The album sold a half-million copies and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Contributing: Edward Segarra, KiMi Robinson

I'd expect there'd be a CD release. Most albums still get a physical release. Artists that come from an era where it was essential to release CD, cassette, vinyl, etc, typically make a point to release physical media. Since SLANG is a new label, we don't really have anything to go by. I just tried to look them up on Discogs and they haven't been entered yet.

The look and tone of the music video kind of fit what I envisioned for it. It suites the song well. I actually like interview and live performance aspects of the video. If you want the song, buy it. This is the music video. It's fitting to give it a little something extra. The comments (from what I see) are ALL positive, which is great. We all are BUYING the single, right?

I was curious if he was going to partner with a big label or do it independently, but partner with someone for a distribution deal. I have an album by The Underachievers when they did an independent crowd-funded album a few years back. Hopefully this is the partnership he needs.

Yes, I'm all for a classic remix. Don't involve the new talent. Legends only.

"Light Em Up" from the Bad Boys: Ride Or Die soundtrack and "You Can Make It" are available. "Work of Art" hasn't been released. We've only heard it from his live performance the other day.

https://apnews.com/article/ll-cool-j-qtip-phife-dawg-eminem-85d1ccddf93d76c36653a11b5b8408ea LL Cool J relearned ‘how to rap’ on his first album in 11 years, ‘The FORCE.’ Here’s how FILE - LL Cool J performs during the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J., on Sept. 12, 2023. The rapper-actor will release “The F.O.R.C.E.,” his first album in 11 years. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) 2 of 2 | This cover image shows “The F.O.R.C.E.” by LL Cool J. (Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group via AP) BY MARIA SHERMAN Updated 12:12 AM EDT, July 12, 2024 NEW YORK (AP) — The Grammy award winning rapper-actor- author LL COOL J will release his first new album in 11 years, “The FORCE” in September — 40 years into his hip-hop career. Not that he hasn’t been making music in that time. “I’ve always tinkered around in the studio here and there,” he told The Associated Press over Zoom. But over the last two or so years, inspiration really struck. He started working with a producer and pursuing music-making more seriously. Then he hit a roadblock. “I just felt like the tracks that this producer was giving me were better than the songs that I was writing,” he said. Then the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest came to him in a dream. “He told me, ‘Yo, man, that new music you’re working on is great, man.’ But he had a look on his face like a Cheshire cat, like he was lying to me,” he says. It was a wakeup call — and something told him to call A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip to work together. The move worked: Q-Tip produced every track and made all the beats on “The FORCE,” which will be released Sept. 6. LL COOL J describes the process of making his 14th studio album as “going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again ... making sure I was really inspired by the things I was saying. That’s why there isn’t a lot of fluff on this album.” “The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board, they always try to make themselves better” he continued. “I wasn’t trying to do trendy, and I wasn’t trying to recapture anything I did before.” “The FORCE” is an inventive rap record, informed by LL COOL J’s lengthy career, touching on various themes, like the power of self-motivation (“Passion”), full-force swag (“Murdergram Deux,” a long-awaited collab with Eminem ), not-safe-for-work sensuality (“Proclivities” featuring Saweetie) and cautionary tales, as evidenced in the lead single, “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Particularly effective is the one-two punch of “Huey in the Chair,” — a reference to a famous photo of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton — what the rapper describes as “taking a stand for what you believe in,” into the funky downtown beats of “Basquiat Energy,” a celebration of the namesake artist’s innovative spirit. The rapper says the American icons share an ability to “express their personal truths,” something he aimed to do on this album. In that way, “The FORCE,” which stands for “frequencies of real creative energy,” became an unofficial mantra for the release. “That’s what we wanted to present to the world,” he said. “It’s about wanting to vibrate at a high level.” And following the 50th anniversary of hip-hop last year, LL COOL J says he “wanted to show people that artists that have had long storied careers, so to speak, can make modern contributions to hip-hop that have a major impact. I hadn’t seen that done before. It was another challenge: Can I create something that sounds new and fresh?” He’s not leaning into fads here — expect to hear rappers actually rapping — but no one should consider this a play at nostalgia. The album is stacked with features, even beyond Ross, Fat Joe, Saweetie and Eminem: Snoop Dogg, Sona Jobareth, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. and Don Pablito are among them. “The one thing I wanted to do is, I wanted to meet people where I’m at now. I wasn’t trying to be preachy,” he said. “I’m not trying to tell people necessarily how to live. I did want to express with people where I’m at artistically at this point in my life and give them that. And then they can take that and do whatever they want with it.” “The FORCE” Track List: 1. “Spirit of Cyrus” (feat. Snoop Dogg) 2. “The FORCE” 3. “Saturday Night Special” (feat. Rick Ross and Fat Joe) 4. “Black Code Suite” (feat. Sona Jobarteh) 5. “Passion” 6. “Proclivities” (feat. Saweetie) 7. “Post Modern” 8. “30 Decembers” 9. “Runnit Back” 10. “Huey In Da Chair” (feat. Busta Rhymes) 11. “Basquiat Energy” 12. “Praise Him” (feat. Nas) 13. “Murdergram Deux” (feat. Eminem) 14. “The Vow” (feat. Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito)

Great performance. He seems so happy to be performing and the crowd is showing crazy love. In the past, he tended to push his vocals too much when performing live, but he seems to let his voice fall in a normal place for himself here, which I really like. "Work of Art"... I need to hear a studio version pumping through the speakers. The lyrics are something to unpack and spend more time with. The production is fitting for the times. I'll personally always favor a more traditional sound. I think I'd like a studio version better than hearing a live recording. I just hope it's the only song on the album with that kind of sound and feel.

https://ew.com/will-smith-set-for-andrea-bocelli-30th-anniversary-concert-8677471?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwY2xjawD-0aFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTbXG11zCdbLmn-cRJCqbVUv59OIa9J2dkLj78q2cznuqiAhsyYmrmbNRg_aem_nmNtf1RbEY6js8VO10kxYg Will Smith will appear with Andrea Bocelli at singer’s 30th anniversary concert Let’s hope they perform “Wild Wild West” together. By Wesley Stenzel Published on July 12, 2024 04:22PM EDT Andrea Bocelli will soon get jiggy wit it. Will Smith has joined the lineup of Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration in Tuscany. The three-day event will take place July 15, 17, and 19 at Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, Bocelli’s hometown. There’s no word yet on what capacity the Fresh Prince will participate in — Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Smith’s representatives for clarification, and a rep for the concert had no further details to offer. Will Smith and Andrea Bocelli. DAVID LIVINGSTON/GETTY IMAGES; ROBERTO RICCIUTI/REDFERNS/GETTY If you haven’t booked a flight to Tuscany to see Big Willie back-to-back with the Italian tenor, fear not — the concert is being filmed by director Sam Wrench, the filmmaker behind Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour documentary. His doc capturing the performances is set to hit theaters in the fall through Fathom Events. The star-studded event will also see appearances by Shania Twain, Ed Sheeran, Russell Crowe, Jon Batiste, Sofía Vergara, Christian Nodal, Katharine McPhee, Queen’s Brian May, and Johnny Depp. Bocelli also announced a new collaborative album, Duets, on Friday. The project will feature a mix of old and new duets with other prominent artists, with Twain, Karol G, Marc Anthony, Gwen Stefani, and Chris Stapleton recording new songs with Bocelli. Older tracks with Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, McPhee, and Sheeran will also be included on the album, which will release Oct. 25. After almost exclusively focusing on acting for the last two decades, Smith has reignited his musical career with a new song, “You Can Make It,” which he performed at the BET Awards last month. The “Summertime” rapper also released “Light Em Up” with Sean Paul from the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack last month, and made a surprise appearance during J Balvin’s Coachella set, performing “Men in Black” in full Agent J garb. Smith’s musical ventures have been few and far between since his movie stardom solidified in the early 2000s. He did have two songs on the 2019 Aladdin soundtrack, and he’s occasionally recorded features for other artists like Jaden Smith, Logic, Nicky Jam, and Joyner Lucas. His last proper solo singles, though, came 19 years ago with “Switch” and “Party Starter” from his 2005 album Lost and Found. Now, Smith is hinting that a new album may be on the horizon, with “You Can Make It” as the lead single.

Yeah, this got me hype. In the past, he'd say something vague about music when dropping a video. With the success of the new song, the live performances over recent months (plus Jeff is out touring with Paula Abdul and New Kids), he seems ready and focused since he has an album well in the works. He better come through.

It's late in the game to say that, but I hope everyone on this board BUYS the single instead of just streaming it. Keep the momentum going. Let FP know we really want and appreciate the new music.

The album is out digitally! CD and vinyl available next month.

New single / music video!

The article talks about how the song is doing well on Gospel/Christian charts (which is awesome), but it only states that he's working on the album. It doesn't say that it's a Gospel/Christian album.

Yes, after hearing all that modern music in the film, it was great hearing a Run DMC song during a climatic moment. It perfectly set the tone for the moment.

I'm really happy with this song. Musically, it leans toward modern rap/R&B on the radio, but with a gospel blend. The lyrics are powerful and something a lot of people can cling onto. I think the song kind of serves as a redeeming moment for him in pop culture. It's almost like an indirect apology to those he may have let down with what happened publicly in the last couple years. I can see why he choose to perform at the BET Awards with this. BET is the perfect space for a song like this. The subject matter is on a level higher than what radio will naturally support, but I hope the BET performance shakes things up and that the song finds a successful home on radio and streaming platforms. It's a great day to be a Fresh Prince fan. p.s. Can we get Jeff on the remix?

Lyrics: "You Can Make It" (feat. Fridayy & Sunday Service Choir) Don't give up on me, I need you to hold on Know you're deep up in the storm But I know you can face it... It could get dark on the road and you're feeling all alone Don't lose sight of where you're going 'Cause I know you can make it... Yeah I know you can make it I know you can make it You are in the smoke and the fire Tight rope on the wire I see you're broken and tired And all your hope is expired You're just done with the change and the games and the shame And the world is insane, all the pain From the flames that you walk through But no one to talk to The ghost that'll haunt you And thoughts that'll taunt you Tryna heal but the battles uphill And if God is for real You just wonder if He'll listen So many tests for the flesh Exhausted, gasping to catch your breath Walking through the valley of the shadow of death And when you think you've got nothing left Keep going Don't give up on me, I need you to hold on Know you're deep up in the storm But I know you can face it... It could get dark on the road and you're feeling all alone Don't lose sight of where you're going 'Cause I know you can make it... Yeah I know you can make it (You can make it) I know you can make it I know you can face it (Face it) I know you can make it The darker the hell you gotta endure The brighter the heaven you get to enjoy The harder the fall, the higher you soar God opens a window when the devil closes the door Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith In the rear view I see adversity was the gift To lift me higher, gifts require faith So dry your eyes and then you'll find the way Out of the madness, out of the maze Out of the sadness into the rays The darkest of nights will turn into day And every storm runs out of rain Hold on Don't give up on me, I need you to hold on I know you can face it... Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh I know you can make it... I know you can make it (You can make it) I know you can make it I know you can face it (You can face it) I know you can make it Nobody gets an easy ride We all have a cross to bear But there's wisdom in the fire And every moment is an opportunity Embrace the journey

I trust he'll bring it when it comes to the performance. I hope it's an event and opens some eyes to his true talent as an emcee. It's good to see him on an award show and for it to be BET. The new single better stand out. Hopefully he releases it right after the performance.

https://www.bet.com/article/7k3fv6/will-smith-set-to-perform-new-single-at-bet-awards-2024?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR29P-NybUUFqZUM5C-o9oyQf-Ks7Au4mOTAzgkd9us0N_geVJTusEidLVQ_aem_D9bGx1zi-IW5yL9BINMzmQ Will Smith Set to Perform New Single at BET Awards 2024 The BET Awards 2024 will air live on Sunday, June 30th, at 8 PM ET/ PT on BET. MUSIC June 24, 2024 9:00 AM Hector Vivas/Getty Images Today, BET announced a major addition to Culture’s Biggest Night, BET Awards 2024. Academy Award-winning actor, producer, and multiplatinum, 4-time GRAMMY-winning recording artist Will Smith will debut a new original song LIVE at BET Awards 2024. Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor, author, director, producer, and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson will return to host, and GRAMMY award-winning global entertainment icon USHER will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award. BET Awards 2024 will air LIVE on Sunday, June 30 on BET at 8 pm ET/ PT. "From his start as a rapper to The Fresh Prince to being a box office king as one of the Bad Boys, Will Smith is truly a global icon, and we are honored to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed." Opinion: Will Smith is Here to Stay This exclusive performance adds to an already stellar line-up of performers, including GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Ms. Lauryn Hill &YG Marley, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla, and Victoria Monét. Additionally, Tanner Adell will perform on the BET Amplified stage. Drake leads BET Awards 2024 nominations with an outstanding seven nods. The official BET Awards 2024 nominees were selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, performers, and presenters. Click HERE for the complete list of “BET Awards” 2024 nominees. Vote now for “BET Awards” 2024 Viewer’s Choice Award. Voting ends June 30, 2024, at 6:30 PM PT/ 9:30 PM ET. WILL SMITHBET AWARDS 2024

The Live Magic Summer Tour is on. It looks like DJ Jazzy Jeff is backing up New Kids On The Block.

That's a great article/interview with Sean Paul. People keep forgetting that they collaborated with Shaggy on his "Hey Sexy Lady" remix back in 2002/2003.

https://screenrant.com/bad-boys-4-movie-box-office-franchise-milestone/ Bad Boys 4 Box Office Pushes Franchise Past Major Milestone By Hannah Gearan Published 8 hours ago Thread Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits $1 billion globally despite the challenging movie landscape. Viewers are calling for a spinoff with Reggie and Armando. The success of Bad Boys 4 sets the stage for a potential Bad Boys 5 , with commercial prospects looking up. The Bad Boys: Ride or Die box-office helps push the franchise past a major milestone. The fourth installment in the Bad Boys franchise brings back leads Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett while bringing some of the series’ younger characters to the fore. Bad Boys: Ride or Die features a leading cast including Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Tasha Smith, Jacob Scipio, and Dennis Greene. Per Deadline, the box office for Bad Boys: Ride or Die has pushed the franchise past a major milestone. With the fourth Bad Boys film’s box office total, the series has now made over $1 billion. At the time of writing, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has made an estimated $79.24 million worldwide with the worldwide box office total for Bad Boys: Ride or Die being $125.6 million. What This Bad Boys 4 News Means for the Franchise's Future Bad Boys 5 Just Got More Likely Bad Boys: Ride or Die has beat the odds in its box office success so far, as it was released during a time that has been very unsuccessful for blockbuster films. Various highly-anticipated films, including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The First Omen, have underperformed expectations at the 2024 box office. This year has had several record-low box office weekends, including Super Bowl weekend and Memorial Day weekend, which saw some of the lowest overall numbers in years. It has been difficult for theatrical releases to gain momentum again, but Bad Boys: Ride or Die has allowed the box office to pick up a little bit. Though Bad Boys: Ride or Die is getting mixed reviews, with a 64% Rotten Tomatoes score, audiences are loving the movie. The film has an impressive 97% approval rating among audiences, who are taking to social media to appreciate the film's action-packed conclusion. Audiences especially appreciated the roles of Reggie and Armando, younger members of the Bad Boys team, who took on more prominent roles in the sequel than they had in previous films, leading some to call for a Bad Boys spinoff that focuses on these characters. If the online reactions were not enough of a good sign, the box office totals for Bad Boys: Ride or Die make the prospects of Bad Boys 5 even more promising. The series has done fairly well commercially and is now one of the few series that can claim that much-coveted $1 billion franchise title. With this milestone hit, the franchise talents will be more likely to want to eke more life out of the Bad Boys franchise, whether that be through a direct sequel or a spinoff series.