Will Smith Desperate to Prove He’s a ‘Relevant Voice’ in Hip-Hop Music (Exclusive)

Will Smith isn’t done making music, sources say — even after his latest album reportedly tanked with fans.

At age 57, the I Am Legend actor is “doing everything he can to prove he’s still a relevant voice in hip-hop,” an insider tells Globe. “He’s continuing to lean into rapping.”

Will seemingly has a steep mountain to climb, with Based On a True Story — his comeback record following Slapgate — failing to chart upon its release last March, per Forbes.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported in 2025 that his various singles also didn’t move the needle and were described as “corny” and “cringe-worthy trash” by listeners.

But according to the insider, Will is driven less by public opinion and more by a need to please wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

“The critics don’t matter to him,” insists the insider. “Will has been trying to impress Jada with his work for going on 30 years. His feelings about his own music still live and die with her seal of approval.”

The former Gotham actress — who revealed to NBC News that she and Will have been separated since 2016, but aren’t legally divorced — grew up in Baltimore with late rapper Tupac Shakur and “has always had a great BS detector when it comes to hip-hop authenticity,” says the insider. “She and Pac were very close.”

Jada, 54, even inspired some of the “Changes” artist’s projects, People reported in 2017.

“He’s the yardstick against which she measures everybody else in the genre,” spills the insider. “That includes Will.”

Despite their supposed split, Entertainment Tonight obtained video footage of the couple holding hands while in Paris this January.

Adds the insider, “Jada’s encouragement is what Will chases, relentlessly.”