Will Smith and Big Sean have teamed up on the single ‘Beautiful Scars’ and shared its The Matrix-themed video.
Produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton, ‘Beautiful Scars’ sees Smith rap: “Couldn’t tell I been through hell on Earth / The truth and it burns, you live and you learn,” discussing the pain that comes with fame and both learning and growing from that experience.
Big Sean also raps on the track, with a verse that sees him say: “I had to quit trippin’ over shit that isn’t worth the fall, you know / Back against the wall, my whole life a work of art (Boi) / Younger me would blame everybody else like it’s they fault / ‘Til you realize you a walkin’ magnet so you the cause,” addressing the mistakes he has made and how he has become stronger since then.
Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, and with products integrated from partners, Stellantis (Grand Wagoneer) and Chilli Beans Sunglasses, the song’s accompanying music video sees both Smith and Big Sean recreate The Matrix, with Smith revealing that he had turned down the role of Neo in the 1999 action/sci-fi film.
In the video, Big Sean portrays Morpheus, while Smith portrays Neo. The two reflect on Smith’s career choices, with Sean saying: “Look, you’ve made some awesome career choices your whole life. There’s only one you truly regret. Well, maybe two, but we’re not gonna focus on that one.”
He continues: “So, I’m gonna give you a choice. Blue pill, everything remains the same, and you get to move on with your life. Red pill, you get to go back and star in that movie that got away. The choice is yours.”
Will Smith has been teasing ‘Beautiful Scars’ since January 7, when he shared a cryptic video on social media about him passing up an offer to star in The Matrix in favour of Wild Wild West. Keanu Reeves would go on to star as Neo and turned The Matrix into a phenomenon.
Before revealing that the Matrix-inspired teasers were for a music project, fans believed that Smith was rebooting the beloved film franchise.
Along with the release of the track, Smith has announced his upcoming album ‘Based On A True Story’ which is set for release in March and is available for pre-save here. The LP will mark his first full-length project in 20 years, following his 2005 LP ‘Lost And Found’.
‘Based On A True Story’ will also feature his previously released singles ‘You Can Make It’, ‘Work Of Art’ featuring his son Jaden and Russ and ‘Tantrum’ with Joyner Lucas.
In other news, Will Smith’s classic rap The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air was revealed as the highest earning TV theme song of all time. Smith has also announced a return to live performance, playing his first European concert at 2025’s Positiv Festival in France.
