Will Smith

Will Smith Artistfacts

  • September 25, 1968
  • Smith turned down a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were starting to gain fame. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brad Wind - Miami, FL
  • Along with his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith had a few rap hits before starring in the TV show The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, where Jazzy Jeff was a frequent guest star. Smith was known as "The Fresh Prince" in his early years as a rapper.
  • Smith went on to tremendous movie success and his solo records have also done very well, but within the rap community, he doesn't have the same respect as DJ Jazzy Jeff, who is considered a very innovative and talented DJ known for his scratching technique.
  • He and Jeff won the first ever Rap Grammy in 1990 for their hit "Parents Just Don't Understand." Although they were very popular, Smith and Jeff made comical songs that were very mainstream as opposed to acts like Run-D.M.C. and L.L. Cool J who were much more relevant.
  • In 2008, he launched a video website called PluggedIn through his Overbrook Entertainment company. The site runs high quality music videos for free. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Smith became the first Hip-Hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award when got the nom for playing the title role in the movie Ali. He got another Best Actor nomination for his role in The Pursuit of Happyness.

Comments: 6

  • Margaret from Worcester, MaWill Smith was asked on how his marriage to Jada. He's method: Say NO to a Divorce. This was confirmed in a news story in People.com back on May 27, 2008.
  • Kane from Escondido, Cano offense,but you should stick to daytime
  • Jaime from Marshall, Mihe is hott in i robot. hey that rhymed
  • Kelli from Cedar Rapids, IaAh, that's harsh. He's a likeable guy with commercial appeal...someone's got to make those 17 year old girls happy.
  • Todd from Westland, MiI agree with Don, Will Smith??!! LMAO!! You have got to be kidding me!!
    Tell me this was put on here as a joke, just like his so-called music and movie career.
  • T-maz from San Antonio, Txborn willard smith
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?