Will Smith channels his post-slap introspection into music on ‘Based on a True Story’

Will Smith could have let his infamous Oscar slap be his cinematic fade out with a career bruised, marriage dissected and reputation in a free fall. “I’ve taken the last couple of years to really do a deep dive on the parts of me that may or may not been in that level of certainty and asking those deep scary internal questions,” said Smith, an Oscar and Grammy winner, who will release his fifth studio album “Based on a True Story” on Friday. It’s like trying to not get stuck in having to be only a narrow band of things, to give myself permission to be wider in the truth of who and what I actually am.” Smith’s road to redemption grew tougher when Rock’s comedy special reignited the controversy and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s memoir “Worthy” put their marriage under fresh scrutiny, sparking headlines and endless social media memes. Along the way, he found Tibetan Buddhist Pema Chödrön’s teachings, embracing her mantra of “leaning into the sharp points.” These influences became pillars as Smith explored himself more deeply. “It is essentially learning how to accept and celebrate my challenges, recognizing that my challenges and my obstacles and my difficulties are actually divine curriculum,” said Smith, a four-time Grammy winner, who is known for rap classics such as “Summertime,” “Men in Black,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” Those tracks had a laid-back feel, but his new album strikes a more serious tone.