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In retrospect, the point at which Will Smith went too far was with 1999's "Freakin' It," on which, over samples from "Love Hangover" and "Rapper's Delight," he boasted of his movie earnings, defended himself against charges of being a "soft" rapper, and criticized his peers. It was hard to dispute any of his arguments (though the citation of the American Music Awards as an example of his superiority seemed a bit of a stretch), but the song also emphasized -- in the wrong way, as far as fans were concerned -- how far Smith had come from Philadelphia, and it flopped. After that, his movies and records had to struggle more for attention. All careers go through peaks and troughs, however, and this collection of Smith's musical high points makes the case for his popularity, dating back to the late-'80s days of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, whose work is licensed from Jive Records for one-third of the tracks here. Not all of the early duo's hits are included, but the signature ones, particularly the breakout "Parents Just Don't Understand," are. In a sense, this is Smith at his most appealing, using rap to create novelty records that reveal the comic sense that later would light up movie screens. He remains engaging through solo hits like "Men in Black" and "Getting' Jiggy Wit It," even if he already seems to be starting to believe his press clips. By this point, the musical career has become an appendage of the movie career, and movie stardom begins to inform the raps, culminating in the defensiveness of "Freakin' It." Along the way, however, there is some clever writing, always put across by Smith's expansive personality, which enabled him to swim against the current of contemporary rap, at least for a time.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
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Will Smith, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Associated Performer - Jazzy Jeff, Producer - William Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Fresh Prince, Producer - J. Townes, Composer, Lyricist - Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo, Engineer - Hugh Montenegro, Composer, Lyricist - Buddy Kaye, Composer, Lyricist
1987 Zomba Productions Ltd.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer, Associated Performer, Producer - W.Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Bryan "Chuck" New, Mixing Engineer, Producer, Recording Engineer - Jeffrey Townes, Composer, Lyricist - P. Harris, Composer, Lyricist - Pete Q. Harris, Producer
(P) 1988 Zomba Recording LLC
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer, Associated Performer, Producer - P. Harris, Composer, Lyricist - W.Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Jeffrey Townes, Composer, Lyricist - Bryan "Chuck" New, Producer, Recording Engineer - Pete Q. Harris, Producer
(P) 1988 Zomba Recording LLC
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Associated Performer - W.Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Jeffrey Townes, Composer, Lyricist - Jazzy Jeff, Producer
(P) 1990 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Associated Performer - A. Taylor, Composer, Lyricist - R. Mickens, Composer, Lyricist - R. Bell, Composer, Lyricist - G. Brown, Composer, Lyricist - R. WESTFIELD, Composer, Lyricist - B. Thomas, Composer, Lyricist - C. Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Hula, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - K. Fingers, Composer, Lyricist - W.Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Fingers, Producer - LaVette - Stephen George, Recording Engineer - Chris Trevett, Recording Engineer
(P) 1991 Sony Music Entertainment
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Tichina Arnold - POKE AND TONE FOR TRACK MASTERS ENTERTAINMENT, Drum Programmer, Producer - James Lassiter, Executive Producer - Nasir Jones, Composer, Lyricist - BENNY MEDINA, Executive Producer - Kenneth Stover, Composer, Lyricist - Ann Carli, Executive Producer - Ken 'Duro' Ifill, Engineer - John Shriver, Engineer - TONY MASERATI, Mixing Engineer - Herb Powers Jr., Mastering Engineer
(P) 1997 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
Will Smith Featuring Jada, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Associated Performer - Annas Allaf, Guitar - Luther Vandross, Composer, Lyricist - Poke & Tone for Track Masters Entertainment, Inc., Producer - ROB CHIARELLI, Bass, Producer - Jamie Muhoberac, Keyboards - Will Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Jada Pinkett-Smith, Composer, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli for Final Mix, Inc., Engineer, Mixing Engineer - Jean Claude Olivier, Composer, Lyricist - Samuel Barnes, Composer, Lyricist - Michael D. Hepburn, Composer, Lyricist - Marlon McClain, Composer, Lyricist - David Campbell, Arranger
(P) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone, Producer - William Smith, Composer, Lyricist - P. Rushen, Composer, Lyricist - Theresa McFaddin, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone for Track Masters, Executive Producer - F. Washington, Composer, Lyricist - James Lassiter, Executive Producer - Ann Carli, Executive Producer - BENNY MEDINA, Executive Producer - Patrice Rushen, Composer, Lyricist - TONY MASERATI, Mixing Engineer - Fred Washington, Composer, Lyricist - Commissioner Gordon, Mixing Engineer - Herb "Pump" Powers Jr., Mastering Engineer - John Shriver, Recording Engineer - POKE AND TONE FOR TRACK MASTERS ENTERTAINMENT, Drum Programmer
(P) 1997 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone for Track Masters Entertainment, Inc., Producer - Lanar "Kern" Brantley, Guitar - Samuel J. Barnes, Composer, Lyricist - L.E.S. for Track Masters Entertainment Inc./Total Package Productions, Co-Producer - Poke and Tone for Track Masters, Executive Producer - Bernard Edwards, Composer, Lyricist - David Foreman, Guitar - James Lassiter, Executive Producer - Timothy "Tyme" Riley, Keyboards - Nile Rodgers, Composer, Lyricist - Ann Carli, Executive Producer - Joe Robinson, Composer, Lyricist - BENNY MEDINA, Executive Producer - DJ Jazzy Jeff, Scratches - Chris Riband, Assistant Engineer - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Ken 'Duro' Ifill, Recording Engineer
(P) 1997 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Les, Producer - Keith Winfield, Keyboards - Poke and Tone, Producer - Ryan Toby, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone for Track Masters, Executive Producer - James Lassiter, Executive Producer - William Shelby, Composer, Lyricist - Ann Carli, Executive Producer - Leon Sylvers III, Composer, Lyricist - BENNY MEDINA, Executive Producer - Stephen Shockley, Composer, Lyricist - Samuel J. Barnes, Composer, Lyricist - Robert Burnette, Assistant Engineer - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Ken Ifill, Recording Engineer - L.E.S., Drum Programmer
(P) 1997 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone, Producer - The Love Fellowship Tabernacle Children's Choir - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - Bugsy - Pamela Joan Sawyer, Composer, Lyricist - KEVIN CROUSE, Drums, Recording Engineer - Mai Huggins - Marilyn McLeod, Composer, Lyricist - Nunzio Signore, Guitar - Bernard Edwards, Composer, Lyricist - Reggie Parker, Bass Guitar - Nile Rodgers, Composer, Lyricist - Samuel Barnes, Composer, Lyricist - Jean Claude Olivier, Composer, Lyricist - Lennie Bennett, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - K-Ci, Associated Performer, Featured Artist - Will Smith Featuring K-Ci, Associated Performer - Poke and Tone, Keyboards, Producer, Programmer - Tye-V Turman - Nicholas Headon, Composer, Lyricist - Rich Travali, Mixing Engineer - MICHAEL GOODS, Keyboards, Recording Engineer - Michael Jones, Composer, Lyricist - John Mellor, Composer, Lyricist - KEVIN CROUSE, Recording Engineer - Bobby Robinson, Composer, Lyricist - Jazzy Jeff, Scratches - Lennie Bennett, Composer, Lyricist - Darren Henson, Composer, Lyricist - Cedric R. Hailey, Composer, Lyricist - Joel Hailey, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Kool Mo Dee, Associated Performer, Featured Artist - Dru Hill, Associated Performer, Featured Artist - Will Smith Featuring Dru Hill & Kool Mo Dee, Associated Performer - Stevie Wonder, Composer, Lyricist - Rob Fusari for White Chocolate Productions, Producer - Mark Wilson, Producer - Rob Fusari, Composer, Lyricist - Herb Powers Jr., Mastering Engineer - ROB CHIARELLI, Recording Engineer - Mohandas Dewese, Composer, Lyricist - Arty Skye, Recording Engineer - Rob Chiarelli for Final Mix Music, Arranger
(P) 1999 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Christina Vidal, Associated Performer, Featured Artist - TRÂ-Knox, Associated Performer, Featured Artist - Will Smith Featuring Christina Vidal and Introducing TRÂ-KNOX, Associated Performer - ROB CHIARELLI, Engineer, Mixing Engineer - Mar'Laina Kemp - Sean Tallman, Assistant Engineer - Mark Sparks, Composer, Lyricist - Ron Feemster, Composer, Lyricist - Herb Powers, Mastering Engineer - Lennie Bennett, Composer, Lyricist - Lance Bennett, Composer, Lyricist - Rob Chiarelli for Final Mix, Inc. & Gregg Pagani for 1023 Productions., Re-Mixer - Gregg Pagani, Re-Mixer - LeMar Bennett, Composer, Lyricist
(P) 2002 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Will Smith, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist, Main Artist, Associated Performer, Composer, Lyricist - Sauce, Associated Performer, Producer - Fuzzy - Bill Withers, Composer, Lyricist - Poke and Tone for Track Masters, Executive Producer - James Lassiter, Executive Producer - William Salter, Composer, Lyricist - Trisha Covington - Ralph MacDonald, Composer, Lyricist - Ann Carli, Executive Producer - BENNY MEDINA, Executive Producer
(P) 1997 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Albumbeschreibung
In retrospect, the point at which Will Smith went too far was with 1999's "Freakin' It," on which, over samples from "Love Hangover" and "Rapper's Delight," he boasted of his movie earnings, defended himself against charges of being a "soft" rapper, and criticized his peers. It was hard to dispute any of his arguments (though the citation of the American Music Awards as an example of his superiority seemed a bit of a stretch), but the song also emphasized -- in the wrong way, as far as fans were concerned -- how far Smith had come from Philadelphia, and it flopped. After that, his movies and records had to struggle more for attention. All careers go through peaks and troughs, however, and this collection of Smith's musical high points makes the case for his popularity, dating back to the late-'80s days of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, whose work is licensed from Jive Records for one-third of the tracks here. Not all of the early duo's hits are included, but the signature ones, particularly the breakout "Parents Just Don't Understand," are. In a sense, this is Smith at his most appealing, using rap to create novelty records that reveal the comic sense that later would light up movie screens. He remains engaging through solo hits like "Men in Black" and "Getting' Jiggy Wit It," even if he already seems to be starting to believe his press clips. By this point, the musical career has become an appendage of the movie career, and movie stardom begins to inform the raps, culminating in the defensiveness of "Freakin' It." Along the way, however, there is some clever writing, always put across by Smith's expansive personality, which enabled him to swim against the current of contemporary rap, at least for a time.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:04
- Main artists: Will Smith
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Jive
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
(P) 2007 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (GERMANY) GmbH
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