Studio Album · No. 5
Based on a True Story Songwriting Credits by Will Smith
Produced by OmArr, Lexoskeleton, Days of 1993, LastNght, Kyle Townsend, L'amo, Beau Nox, Manuel Lara, Zach Ezzy, Joyner Lucas, Leo Son · Engineered by Derek "MixedByAli" Ali, Stan Greene, Colin Leonard
Slang
Hip hopPopGospel
93%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 13 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 14 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Will Smith carries a lyricist or composer credit.
13 trackswritten by Will Smith
1 trackoutside writers
Will Smith's roles on this album
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist93%
Composer93%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
14
Tracks
28
Lyricists
12
Producers
2025
Released
Data Insight
Based on a True Story is Will Smith's first album in twenty years, and it reframes him as a survivor, threading gospel, faith, and redemption through skits styled as "Reverend" sermons. He co-writes and raps across the record with a deep bench of writers and producers, with Omarr Rambert and Drew Gavin recurring on most tracks. Guests include his son Jaden Smith and Russ on "Work of Art," Big Sean on "Beautiful Scars," and a Sunday Service choir, so his authorship is genuine but shared across a large team.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Int. Barbershop - Day
|
Will SmithChristian AstropDrew GavinOmarr RambertJustin Scott | Will SmithChristian AstropDrew GavinOmarr RambertJustin Scott | LexoskeletonOmArr | Will SmithDJ Jazzy JeffB. Simone |
| 2 |
You Lookin' for Me?
|
Will SmithLarus ArnarsonDrew GavinMichael McHenryLastNghtOmarr Rambert | Will SmithLarus ArnarsonDrew GavinMichael McHenryLastNghtOmarr Rambert | Days of 1993LastNghtOmArr | Will Smith |
| 3 |
The Reverend (Rave Sermon)
|
Kevin TeasleyMatthew T. Wiggers | Kevin TeasleyMatthew T. Wiggers | OmArr | Will Smith (Rap) |
| 4 |
Rave in the Wasteland
|
Will SmithDrew GavinL'amoLastNghtOmarr Rambert | Will SmithDrew GavinL'amoLastNghtOmarr Rambert | Kyle TownsendL'amoLastNghtOmArr | Will Smith |
| 5 |
Bulletproof
|
Will Smith | Will Smith | Beau NoxKyle TownsendManuel LaraOmArrZach Ezzy | Will SmithJac Ross |
| 6 |
Hard Times (Smile)
|
Will SmithDrew GavinLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | Will SmithDrew GavinLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | LexoskeletonOmArr | Will SmithTeyana Taylor |
| 7 |
Beautiful Scars
|
Will SmithSean AndersonChllrLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | Will SmithSean AndersonChllrLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | LexoskeletonOmArr | Will SmithBig SeanOBanga |
| 8 |
Tantrum
|
Will SmithGary Maurice LucasLeo Son | Will SmithGary Maurice LucasLeo Son | Joyner LucasLeo Son | Will SmithJoyner Lucas |
| 9 |
First Love
|
Will SmithIndia MartínezLastNghtOmarr RambertKyle Townsend | Will SmithIndia MartínezLastNghtOmarr RambertKyle Townsend | Kyle TownsendLastNghtOmArr | Will SmithIndia MartínezMarcin |
| 10 |
Make It Look Easy
|
Will SmithDrew GavinLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | Will SmithDrew GavinLexoskeletonOmarr Rambert | LexoskeletonOmArr | Will Smith |
| 11 |
The Reverend (YCMI Sermon)
|
Will SmithBrian JosephOmarr RambertKevin Teasley | Will SmithBrian JosephOmarr RambertKevin Teasley | OmArr | Will Smith (Rap) |
| 12 |
You Can Make It
|
Will SmithAlejandro BorreroIsaac de BoniDrew GavinManuel LaraFrancis LeblancMichael MuléIvanni RodríguezOmarr RambertKeanu Torres | Will SmithAlejandro BorreroIsaac de BoniDrew GavinManuel LaraFrancis LeblancMichael MuléIvanni RodríguezOmarr RambertKeanu Torres | FnZManuel LaraOmArr | Will SmithFridayySunday Service Choir |
| 13 |
Work of Art
|
Will SmithChristian AstropDrew GavinOmarr RambertJustin ScottJaden SmithRussell Vitale | Will SmithChristian AstropDrew GavinOmarr RambertJustin ScottJaden SmithRussell Vitale | Beau NoxLexoskeletonOmArr | Will SmithRussJaden |
| 14 |
The Reverend (WOA Sermon)
|
Will Smith | Will Smith | OmArr | Will Smith (Rap) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 45 contributors
WS
Will Smith
Writer · Rap
OR
Omarr Rambert
Writer
DG
Drew Gavin
Writer
L
Lexoskeleton
Writer · Producer
L
LastNght
Writer · Producer
CA
Christian Astrop
Writer
JS
Justin Scott
Writer
KT
Kevin Teasley
Writer
KT
Kyle Townsend
Writer · Producer
ML
Manuel Lara
Writer · Producer
L
L'amo
Writer · Producer
LS
Leo Son
Writer · Producer
More from Will Smith
Frequently Asked Questions Based on a True Story
Did Will Smith write Based on a True Story himself?
Will Smith co-wrote and rapped almost every track, but the album is a large collaboration, with writers and producers like Omarr Rambert and Drew Gavin credited across most songs. His authorship is real but heavily shared, and a couple of the sermon skits are written by others.
Who is featured on Work of Art by Will Smith?
"Work of Art" features Smith's son Jaden Smith and the rapper Russ, both credited as co-writers. It is one of the album's headline collaborations.
Is Big Sean on Based on a True Story by Will Smith?
Yes. Big Sean, credited under his legal name Sean Anderson, co-wrote and appears on "Beautiful Scars." The album also features Joyner Lucas, Teyana Taylor, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
What is Based on a True Story by Will Smith about?
The album is a faith and redemption record, with gospel touches and recurring "Reverend" sermon interludes. It frames Smith's recent public troubles as a story of survival.
Was Based on a True Story by Will Smith his first album in 20 years?
Yes. It arrived in 2025, twenty years after Lost and Found in 2005, making it Smith's fifth solo studio album and his first explicit-rated one. It failed to chart in major markets.
When was Based on a True Story by Will Smith released?
Based on a True Story was released on March 28, 2025, through Slang Recordings. It runs about 37 minutes across fourteen tracks.