Will Smith’s Desperate Rap Comeback Faces Backlash from Industry Insiders

Hollywood outcast Will Smith is desperately trying to reignite his shattered career with a new foray into rap music, but music industry insiders expect it to deliver a big slap to his face!

The actor, 56, saw his film career nosedive after he assaulted Chris Rock on the Oscars stage in 2022 with the slap seen round the world, and insiders say his attempt to take another swipe at music is an ill-fated move that is already hitting a sour note with rap fans.

“Will is almost a senior citizen now, and there’s no way he’ll be able to connect with today’s hip-hop crowd,” says a well-connected industry source. “This stinks of desperation — and the music stinks, too!”

The not-so-Fresh Prince released his first album in 20 years, Based on a True Story, with a lead single that seems to whitewash the career-killing smack that left him a punchline in Hollywood.

“I hate it when I lose it / but I face the music / Oh, why did he do it / See, I’m only human,” Smith blubbers on the track.

The song has failed to even crack the Top 100 on the Billboard charts, which our source says is a bad omen for Will’s hopes to recreate his musical glory days of decades ago when he and former partner DJ Jazzy Jeff scored massive hits.

“Will has been out of the music game for so long, rap fans just don’t seem to think he’s relevant anymore,” explains the source. “He always made lighter, more family-friendly rap, but with the likes of hardcore Kendrick Lamar being the biggest stars, that just isn’t the rap world these days. You can see Will falling on his face!”

Still, the tarnished star is hitting the road this summer to promote his new album with a 26-date tour of Europe.

“Will is testing the waters overseas before considering a U.S. tour,” says the source. “But he’s now a relic in the rap world and likely to suffer a failure that will kill his career completely!”