January 31, 2025: Will Smith is back in the music spotlight, and he’s blending nostalgia with new creativity in the music video for his track Beautiful Scars. Featuring Big Sean and Obanga, the song marks the first release from Smith’s upcoming album Based on a True Story, set to drop in March. This will be Smith’s first album in over two decades, following a long break from music.
The music video takes a bold, Matrix-inspired direction, with Smith channeling the role of Neo, the iconic character from The Matrix series. It’s a fun, symbolic twist for the actor, who famously turned down the role of Neo, opting instead for Wild Wild West. Big Sean plays the role of Morpheus, guiding Smith through a pivotal moment. In a memorable scene, he presents Smith with two symbolic pills: the red pill and the blue pill, referencing the famous choice from The Matrix.
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However, in true Will Smith style, he humorously decides to take both pills, sending the scene into a playful, unexpected direction. As Sean reacts in disbelief, the video transitions into high-octane action, complete with martial arts fights and intense gun battles, reflecting the energy of both the video and the track.
Beautiful Scars, as described by People magazine, delves into the “pains of fame and learning from one’s mistakes.” While many fans speculated that Smith’s music video might hint at an appearance in a new Matrix reboot, People magazine confirms that Smith is not involved in the upcoming film.
This music video not only showcases Smith’s return to music but also gives a taste of what’s to come from his upcoming album. Alongside Beautiful Scars, the album will feature previously released singles such as You Can Make It, Work of Art, and Tantrum, featuring Joyner Lucas. With this new project, Smith is proving that he’s still the multi-talented entertainer that fans have loved for years.