JumpinJack AJ

Yeah, I got the same feeling over the pictures he shared.

He previously said the album was likely to come out early this year.

That's a weird promotional flex.

https://ew.com/will-smith-no-the-matrix-5-cryptic-teaser-8770181?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwY2xjawHpVlZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaLxOU6bkyHtCObgmbWV3hkIihAtr5H9JXUxqVOXkgGZjak0uerVIDjs8g_aem_jEkw0sxTue29rSdie4qyiA No, Will Smith will not star in The Matrix 5 despite cryptic teaser Super Bowl ad, maybe? By Nick Romano Published on January 6, 2025 05:53PM EST Keanu Reeves and Will Smith. Photo: Theories abound after Will Smith shared a cryptic video on Instagram related to The Matrix. But despite speculation among the media and fandoms active on social media, the actor is not involved in the new Matrix movie that's currently in development, Entertainment Weekly can confirm. On Monday afternoon, Smith's official Instagram page shared a video with a message about how filmmaking sibling duo the Wachowskis once offered him the role of Neo prior to casting Keanu Reeves. Smith ultimately turned down the job to work on Wild Wild West; the message continues, "but the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?" "Wake up, Will...The Matrix has you..." the message concludes, referring to a scene from the first movie. After sharing the video, speculation began about whether this could be the precursor to an announcement about Smith joining the cast of the fifth Matrix movie, which will be written, directed, and produced by Oscar nominee Drew Goddard (The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods). Lana Wachowski, who returned without sister Lilly to direct the most recent entry, 2021's The Matrix Resurrections, will executive produce the franchise's next installment. Those theories about Smith, however, are not true. The Hollywood Reporter's film editor, Aaron Couch, was the first to confirm on social media. So, what could it be? Super Bowl commercial, perhaps? In a 2019 video posted to his YouTube channel, Smith spoke about why he turned down the Neo role in 1999's The Matrix, which would have continued with The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), and Resurrections. "The Wachowskis, they came in and it was like, they had only done one movie...They came in, and they made a pitch for The Matrix," he says. "As it turns out, they're geniuses, but there's a fine line in a pitch meeting between genius and what I experienced in the meeting." Keanu Reeves as Neo in 2021's 'The Matrix Resurrections'. Murray Close/Warner Bros. Based on Smith's impression of the Wachowskis' pitch, which he reenacts in the video, it doesn't seem he was all that convinced. "So, I made Wild Wild West," he continued. "I’m not proud of it." (Watch the full video.) As for the new Matrix movie, which was announced in April 2024, the studio's President of Production said in a statement for the press release, “Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25-years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters." “It is not hyperbole to say The Matrix films changed both cinema and my life," Goddard said. "Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.”

This is major and well deserved. Maybe receiving so much support in that genre will have him clean up some of his lyrics on the NEXT album.

I think it's a combination of him wanting to try other things and tell other kinds of stories. I feel like less comedies are made now compared to the 90's and 2000's.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1411143/will-smith-denies-involvement-in-sean-diddy-combs-alleged-crimes Will Smith Responds to Allegations of Involvement in Sean "Diddy" Combs' Alleged Crimes Will Smith responded to claims that he was involved in the "freak offs" allegedly held by Sean "Diddy" Combs, telling the audience during a Dec. 12 performance, "I don't have s--t to do with Puffy." By Sabba Rahbar Dec 13, 2024 3:30 PM Will Smith is gonna take a minute and clarify a few things about his relationship with Sean "Diddy" Combs. During a performance at The Observatory North Park in San Diego, Calif. on Dec. 12, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air alum addressed the claims that he was involved in the "freak offs" Combs—whose previous stage names include Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and Puffy—allegedly held. "The world we're in right now, it's really hard for y'all to discern what's real and what's true," Smith told the crowd, via TMZ. "I been seein' y'all memes and stuff. I see the memes. Some of that stuff is funny, some of it's funny." The 56-year-old said that while he hadn't addressed the allegations publicly, he wanted to do so emphatically, adding, "I just wanna say this very clearly: I don't have s--t to do with Puffy. So you all can stop all them memes." "Stop all of that bulls--t," he continued. "I ain't been nowhere near no damn ‘freak off.' Listen, I do enough of my own s--t, don't be putting me in other people's bulls--t." Will added, "I ain't been nowhere near that man, ain't did none of that stupid s--t." Jeff Vespa/WireImage The "Miami" singer—who is dad to kids Jaden, 26, and Willow, 24, with Jada Pinkett Smith as well as Trey, 32, with ex Sheree Zampino—also joked about the 1,000 bottles of baby oil that were seized from Combs home according to an unsealed federal indictment, saying, "I don't even like baby oil." Smith's comments distancing himself from Combs comes just days after Jay-Z—real name Shawn Carter—was named in a refiled sexual assault civil suit on Dec. 8 of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Combs in 2000. Carter, 55, denied the claims, saying in a statement to E! News directed at his accuser's attorney, "These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!" "Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?," he added. "These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case." Carter also filed a motion in New York City on Dec. 9 requesting that the accuser reveal her name, instead of filing anonymously as "Jane Doe." As for Combs, the music mogul has also pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. The 55-year-old is currently being held at Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center after being denied bail multiple times.

I like it enough, but it's kind of a filler song to me. I'm sure I'm not the only who finds the song very predictable. That modern flow is like Chinese water torture to my ears. I do like how they trade lines. That's something I always liked about some Run DMC and Kid N' Play songs. Nobody goes back and forth anymore. I feel like the song lacks a lyrical or musical climax.

I really like some of the wordplay in the song. I look forward to hearing the studio version. The text on that post implies he'll be doing a proper tour.

Okay, okay... (a preview) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDc9kFzREmN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I'm not overly excited about the Joyner Lucas collab, but I'm looking forward to hearing a new song.

https://ew.com/will-smith-hated-quincy-jones-original-fresh-prince-theme-song-8754963?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwY2xjawG9c7pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfY9N8CBTt4thgPy1AmTlRMPSvr3eBq9ohTyFqWzA0LHYrfmMa8TM17daw_aem_xOmB--mDf1JbJzGMlWsdgQ Will Smith 'hated' Quincy Jones' original Fresh Prince theme song (and Jones agreed) "Mine's a piece of s---," Smith recalls Jones saying. By Lester Fabian Brathwaite Published on December 4, 2024 10:00AM EST Now this is a story all about...how Will Smith hated Quincy Jones' original theme song for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. On the latest episode of Vice's docuseries Black Comedy in America, Smith recalled how the now-iconic Fresh Prince theme was almost lost to time and a "piece of s---" Jones tune. 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'. NBC "So Quincy presented a theme song," Smith said, noting the legendary producer — who died Nov. 3 at age 91 — wrote one of the other great TV themes of all time, for Sanford and Son. Despite this being Quincy Effing Jones, the mastermind behind Thriller and countless other masterworks, Smith "hated it." The young rapper turned actor felt like he couldn't tell Jones that he hated his theme song, it being Quincy Effing Jones. Not only that, Jones was an executive producer on the show and played a large part in getting the show, and Smith, to air. So Smith turned to his longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff. The two worked out a demo of their own theme, a rap telling the premise of the show, in Jeff's hotel room and then Smith took it to Jones. Without revealing his own feelings about the 28-time Grammy winner's tune, Smith offered to play what he and Jeff had come up with. "I played it for him and he listened," Smith recalled. "He said, 'That's good. Mine's a piece of s---.'" According to Smith, Jones' original theme sounded outdated and Jones thankfully agreed that Smith's far more fresh (pun intended) version should run over the opening credits. Jones had been one of The Fresh Prince's and Smith's earliest champions, using his own birthday party to arrange an impromptu audition for Smith in front of then–NBC head Brandon Tartikoff. Quincy Jones and Will Smith on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'. Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank "I said, 'Quincy, I don't know how to act, I'm not an actor. Just give me two weeks, let me find an acting coach and let me work on it, and then let's just set up a proper audition,'" Smith recalled during Max's 2020 Fresh Prince reunion special. "He says, 'Here's the deal: Right now, everybody who needs to say yes for this show is sitting out in that living room waiting for you.' And I was like, 'Give me 10 minutes.'" When Jones died last month, Smith joined the chorus of friends, colleagues, collaborators, and admirers paying tribute to a national treasure. "Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend," Smith wrote on Instagram. "He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly."

When I was young, I don't remember hearing this song on the radio. I know it charted decently, but it doesn't get celebrated like "Partents..." and "Nightmare..." do. The storytelling is top notch as always, but I think the beat was a strong choice. It didn't sound like anything else Hip-Hop/R&B radio. Mike Tyson was so hot in pop culture that I would have expected the song to have done better. The music video was perfect and like Jeff's added vocals to it. I wish the extended mix was heard by more people, further fleshing out the story. The video had a lot of comments on YouTube the other day, so maybe it's celebrated more than pop culture lets us thing.

Hopefully we see more of this. And yeah, I hope he hits the east coast.

With Mike Tyson's new fight, nearly 20 years after the last time he was in the ring, I thought it it would be appropriate to reflect on the "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" single.

Are these bots that are leaving random comments that contribute nothing to the topic of some of the posts?

The lyrics are nice, but I'm not a fan of the overdone modern flow. The production does nothing for me and the hook is Chinese water torture to me.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/elon-musk-tesla-ripping-off-i-robot-optimus-robotaxis-1236031124/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawF6DQNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbQTAvG0RqNUeidU0-2WVYE69wagyXoC4bFJ8qw6LUtFjkDQRiTxxGgpAw_aem_YLM8HpsSzM8JKcxHB1Y0fA ‘I, Robot’ Director Mocks Elon Musk for Tesla Ripping Off Film for Optimus, Robotaxi: “Can I Have My Designs Back Please?” After Tesla's planned robot products were presented, social media called out the company for aping the 2004 film, with even director Alex Proyas weighing in. By Abid Rahman October 13, 2024 8:56pm On the left is Sonny from 'I, Robot' and the right is Tesla's Optimus robot. Everett Collection; CFOTO/Future Publishing via At Tesla‘s big Cybercab Robotaxi presentation last week at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, the company also showed off the latest iteration of the Tesla Bot, dubbed Optimus, as well as a Robovan. The initial reveal of the trio of robot products caused great excitement on social media, but, very quickly, praise turned to mockery as the designs were scrutinized with a host of people accusing Elon Musk‘s company of ripping off the designs found in the 2004 sci-fi film I, Robot starring Will Smith. Tesla had dubbed the event “We, Robot,” which plays into the title of Isaac Asimov’s 1950 short-story collection on which the film is based, so there was some recognition of the cross-pollination of ideas. However, many on social media called out the uncanny resemblance that all three of Tesla’s planned robot offerings have to similar products in Alex Proyas‘ film, which is set in 2035 Chicago.

Hey, welcome to the board! It's kind of rare to see new members actually post. Heck, it's kind of rare when the regulars make a post anymore.

I like that he's still putting out content supporting the song. This is a great video.

The album is out. I'm loving it.

The show looks great. The crowd is having a great time. His look is fresh. I love that red outfit and the matching mic. He isn't overexerting himself vocally like he used to. He really needs to take this show on the road.

I saw this news. I like it, but I also think it's too soon.

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/ll-cool-j-force-top-10-rap-albums-chart-1235779195/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawFYRXhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQmAbo02em4TWYrtxEsoRmnAfYRhgm4FydxCTEhBBC44UbNWtywgjti0KQ_aem_tdd7sosTXTqn6gcpJR_57A LL COOL J’s ‘THE FORCE’ Debuts in Top 10 on Top Rap Albums Chart The rapper's first album in 11 years arrives, as current single "Proclivities," featuring Saweetie, climbs on radio. By Trevor Anderson 09/18/2024 LL Cool J attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on Sept. 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for MTV Despite more than a decade since LL COOL J last released an album, the rapper picks up right where he left off. His new project, THE FORCE, debuts at No. 9 on the Top Rap Albums chart, giving the hip-hop legend his fifth consecutive top 10 result on the list, which began in 2004. THE FORCE, released through LL COOL J’s self-titled imprint and the Def Jam Recordings record label, earned 16,000 equivalent album units in the tracking week of Sept. 6 – 12, according to Luminate. Of that sum, traditional album sales contributed 11,500 units, making THE FORCE the top-selling rap title of the week. 4,000 units derive from streaming activity, with the remaining 500 coming through track-equivalent album units. (One unit equals the following levels of consumption: one album sale, 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams for a song on the album.) Robust sales likely trace to LL COOL J’s flurry of promotional performances during the tracking week, including an interview on CBS Mornings and a performance to celebrate the Def Jam label’s 40th anniversary during the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where the MC delivered a medley of his hits such as “Headsprung,” “Goin’ Back to Cali” and “Bring the Noise.” Released Sept. 6, THE FORCE marked the first project since 2013 for LL COOL J, the hip-hop pioneer who became one of the genre’s earliest crossover stars and, in 2017, became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The album, largely produced by another rap icon, Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest, boasts a strong supporting lineup, with Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Nas among the guest stars. Saweetie features on the set’s current single, “Proclivities,” which climbs 36-31 in its second week on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, while an Eminem feature on the album’s “Murdergram Deux” powers it to become the week’s top-selling (2,500 downloads) and most-streamed (2.3 million official U.S. streams) song on THE FORCE. As noted, THE FORCE is the fifth consecutive top-10 effort for LL COOL J on Top Rap Albums. The streak began with The DEFinition, which reigned for one week in 2004, and followed with Todd Smith (No. 2, 2006), Exit 13 (No. 2, 2008) and Authentic (No. 4, 2013).

Tim shared this with me the other day. It's a good way to start off 2025.