Studio Album · No. 3
Born to Reign Songwriting Credits by Will Smith
Produced by Rick Rock, O.Banga, Tim & Bob, Tim Kelley, Poke & Tone, Rob Chiarelli, Sauce, Tony Dofat, Mark Sparks, Ron Feemster, Rico Anderson, L.E.S., Herb Middleton, Jimane Nelson, Gregg Pagani, Will Smith
Columbia Records
Pop rapHip hop
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Will Smith carries a lyricist or composer credit.
14 trackswritten by Will Smith
0 tracksoutside writers
Will Smith's roles on this album
Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer14%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
14
Tracks
41
Lyricists
19
Producers
2002
Released
Data Insight
Born to Reign was Will Smith's commercial step-down, going Gold where his first two solo albums went multi-platinum. He again raps and co-writes across the record while a rotating cast of producers (Tim and Bob, L.E.S., Rick Rock) supplies the beats. "1000 Kisses" pairs him with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, and "Black Suits Comin'" tied the album to Men in Black II.
Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Born to Reign (Intro)
|
Will SmithRick Rock | Will SmithRick Rock | Rick RockO.Banga | Will Smith |
| 2 |
Act Like You Know
|
Will SmithTim KelleyBob RobinsonOmarr RambertRichard IversonRalf HütterEmil Schult | Will SmithTim KelleyBob RobinsonOmarr RambertRichard IversonRalf HütterEmil Schult | Tim & BobO.BangaTim Kelley | Will Smith |
| 3 |
I Can't Stop
|
Will SmithRichard IversonFrançois ReyesNicolas ReyesManitas De PlataJean-Claude OlivierSamuel Barnes | Will SmithRichard IversonFrançois ReyesNicolas ReyesManitas De PlataJean-Claude OlivierSamuel Barnes | Poke & ToneRob ChiarelliO.Banga | Will Smith |
| 4 |
Jaden's (Interlude)
|
JadenWill SmithJada Pinkett Smith | JadenWill SmithJada Pinkett Smith | Will Smith | Will Smith (Rap) |
| 5 |
1,000 Kisses
|
Luther VandrossWill SmithJada Pinkett SmithJean-Claude OlivierSamuel BarnesMichael D. HepburnMarion L. McClain | Luther VandrossWill SmithJada Pinkett SmithJean-Claude OlivierSamuel BarnesMichael D. HepburnMarion L. McClain | Poke & ToneRob ChiarelliO.BangaSauceBryon Jones | Will SmithJada Pinkett Smith |
| 6 |
Willow Is a Player
|
Will SmithTony DofatLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyRichard PoindexterRobert PoindexterJackie MembersRay Lewis | Will SmithTony DofatLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyRichard PoindexterRobert PoindexterJackie MembersRay Lewis | Tony DofatO.Banga | Will Smith |
| 7 |
Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)
|
Will SmithMark SparksRon FeemsterLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Will SmithMark SparksRon FeemsterLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Mark SparksRob ChiarelliWill SmithRon Feemster | Will SmithTrā-Knox |
| 8 |
How Da Beat Goes
|
Will SmithRico AndersonLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyMaurice Benjamin Cenac | Will SmithRico AndersonLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyMaurice Benjamin Cenac | Rico AndersonO.Banga | Will Smith |
| 9 |
Block Party
|
Will SmithRichard IversonNora PayneLeshan LewisHerb MiddletonSylvester StewartRobert Ginyard Jr. | Will SmithRichard IversonNora PayneLeshan LewisHerb MiddletonSylvester StewartRobert Ginyard Jr. | L.E.S.Herb MiddletonO.Banga | Will Smith |
| 10 |
Give Me Tonite
|
Will SmithTim KelleyBob RobinsonRichard IversonRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyMason Williams | Will SmithTim KelleyBob RobinsonRichard IversonRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur BrisbyMason Williams | Tim & BobO.BangaTim Kelley | Will Smith |
| 11 |
I Gotta Go Home
|
Will SmithJimane NelsonMark SparksLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur Brisby | Will SmithJimane NelsonMark SparksLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur Brisby | Mark SparksRob ChiarelliJimane Nelson | Will Smith |
| 12 |
Maybe
|
Will SmithMark SparksLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur Brisby | Will SmithMark SparksLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance BennettRamon AdamsTheron BenymonArthur Brisby | Mark SparksRob ChiarelliErick WallsJerry Allen | Will Smith |
| 13 |
Nod Ya Head (The Remix)
|
Will SmithMark SparksRon FeemsterLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Will SmithMark SparksRon FeemsterLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Rob ChiarelliGregg PaganiO.Banga | Will SmithChristina VidalTrā-Knox |
| 14 |
Momma Knows
|
Will SmithCurtis WilsonLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Will SmithCurtis WilsonLennie BennettLeMar BennettLance Bennett | Sauce | Will Smith |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 53 contributors
WS
Will Smith
Writer · Producer · Rap
LB
Lance Bennett
Writer
LB
LeMar Bennett
Writer
LB
Lennie Bennett
Writer
AB
Arthur Brisby
Writer
RA
Ramon Adams
Writer
TB
Theron Benymon
Writer
MS
Mark Sparks
Writer · Producer
RI
Richard Iverson
Writer
TK
Tim Kelley
Writer · Producer
RF
Ron Feemster
Writer · Producer
BR
Bob Robinson
Writer
More from Will Smith
Frequently Asked Questions Born to Reign
Did Will Smith write Born to Reign himself?
Will Smith co-wrote and rapped every track, working with producers including Tim and Bob, L.E.S., and Rick Rock. As on his earlier albums his authorship sits in the verses while the producers build the music.
Who is featured on 1000 Kisses by Will Smith?
"1000 Kisses" features Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. It was a European single rather than a US hit.
What is Black Suits Comin' by Will Smith from?
"Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)" was the lead single from Born to Reign and tied into the film Men in Black II, which Smith starred in. It followed his earlier movie-linked hit "Men in Black."
Why did Born to Reign by Will Smith sell less than his earlier albums?
Born to Reign was certified Gold, a clear drop from the multi-platinum Big Willie Style and Willennium. It debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and is generally seen as his weakest-selling solo album.
When was Born to Reign by Will Smith released?
Born to Reign was released on June 25, 2002, through Columbia Records. It was Smith's third solo studio album.
What genre is Born to Reign by Will Smith?
Born to Reign is a pop rap and hip hop album running about 57 minutes. It kept Smith's clean, radio-aimed style.