Will Smith Signs New Record Deal
A month after The Fresh Prince performed at the BET Awards, there was news that the rapping actor signed a new recording deal.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith, who started his career as a rapper, signed with a new record label, SLANG which was started by music executive, Rene McLean. This news comes after Smith performed his latest song, “You Can Make It,” at the BET Awards on June 30. He did the song with the Sunday Service Choir, Kirk Franklin, and Fridayy.
The upcoming project will be his first one in almost 20 years since he released “Lost and Found” in 2005. He started his career in Philadelphia with his DJ, Jazzy Jeff after releasing the song, “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” (Which sampled the theme song from the Barbara Eden/Larry Hagman-led sitcom, “I Dream of Jeannie”) in 1986 before debuting the first album, “Rock the House” in 1987.
Will Smith, as The Fresh Prince was the first rapper to ever be awarded a Grammy when the duo won the award in 1989.
Industry veteran, McLean, who is also a partner and founding advisor of music and entertainment company Influence Media Partners, released a written statement about the new record label.
“I’m proud to lead SLANG’s efforts to partner with quality artists and invest in their growth, regardless of genre or where they are in their respective careers. In a quickly changing music industry, SLANG artists will be surrounded by a team of like-minded strategists who will stop at nothing to further their trajectory and help them meet their goals. Our commitment to culture comes first, and we consider our SLANG roster family.”
Smith is coming off a successful release of his latest film, the third sequel to the “Bad Boys” series. The film “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” was released on June 7. Smith also recorded a song for the soundtrack to the movie with Sean Paul, “Light Em Up.