Will Smith has finally debuted his brand-new collaboration with Big Sean and OBanga.
On Wednesday night, January 29, the Philly native hit the stage for iHeartRadio Live on Hit Nation with host Enrique Santos. During the event in Los Angeles, Smith premiered The Matrix-inspired music video for his latest single "Beautiful Scars" featuring the Detroit rapper and OBanga. The veteran MC participated in a "what-if" scenario and transformed into his long-lost role as "Neo." Smith performed his rapid-fire verses over an energetic piano-laced, instrumental while recreating some of the film's iconic scenes. Sean chimed in with his verse towards the end while OBanga handled the hook.
"The idea of 'Beautiful Scars' is just one of the things that really popped through for me as such a value to recognize that a difficulty, an adversity, a challenge, an obstacle is hard and painful in the moment but what you're going through can turn out to be the greatest thing that has ever happened," Smith said. "What starts out as an adversity can turn into a beautiful stepping stone."
Will Smith said he met Big Sean during a promo event for the Peacock series "Bel Air." He played Sean his recent collaboration with Russ "Work of Art," and was immediately hooked. The Oscar-winning actor said he had a deeper conversation with Sean, who ended up "sharing his scars that turned beautiful."
Smith began to tease the song earlier this month when he shared a series of Instagram posts inspired by The Matrix franchise. He was originally offered to star as "Neo" in 1997 but he ultimately turned it down to star in Wild Wild West. After posting some behind-the-scenes shots of what could've been his role in the franchise, Smith followed up with a clip featuring Big Sean as "Morpheus." Mr. Anderson offered Smith the red or blue pill just like the original movie. Instead of choosing one, Smith popped both pills.
"Beautiful Scars" is set to appear on Will Smith's forthcoming album. Smith said he spent the past two years working on the project and said he "had more to share about my life." He previously debuted his gospel song "You Can Make It" featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir during the BET Awards last year. Smith followed up a month later with "Work Of Art" featuring Russ and his son Jaden.
Check out a clip from the "Beautiful Scars" music video below and catch the full version out on Thursday, January 30.