Will Smith – Lost And Found Review
Posted By Michael Melchor on 03.31.05
This is not your father’s Will Smi—oh, wait...
Many people know that Will Smith is a $20 million-per-picture movie star with a penchant for summer blockbusters. Many also know that he started not on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, but as the Fresh Prince, rapping with his partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Ever since he took to making music under his real name and ditching the “Fresh Prince” moniker, Will Smith’s music seems to have suffered as it’s been paint-by-numbers dance and pop instead of some of the more clever rhymes he devised during the days of “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “I Think I Can beat Mike Tyson”. However, on Lost And Found, Will seems invigorated and ready to leave “Big Willie” behind.
The cleverness starts right away on “Here He Comes”, an intro track re-written from the old “Spider Man” TV show theme that comes out pretty well given Smith’s mental dexterity. That drive – and apparently a new anger – drive Will on through the rest of the anger.
After a couple “good-time” songs (“Party Starter” and “Switch”), Smith goes on a rampage starting with the album’s most controversial track, “Mr. Niceguy”. Smith spends a couple lines each on select targets and gives his responses to their criticisms in succinct and toxic fashion. On the subject of Eminem, Smith responds that:
Dissed by Em but did it bother him (yup)
But he classy Big Will just get another 20 mil
And walk right pass E
That simple, factual, and dismissive sort of response characterizes Smith perfectly. He knows his accomplishments and stature and would rather not be bothered with this sort of thing (even saying on Mr. Niceguy” that, “Truth be told this ain’t my style”). The venom is there, however, between those who criticize him and the ills of the world – and that venom takes form not only in some of the classiest diss tracks to hit the air, but also in taking on the rap game and the rest of the industry.
The title track, “Lost And Found”, sees Smith responding to all of his peers with statements that he doesn’t want to sound like the rest because he doesn’t have to (“Why should I try to sound like ya’ll sound/That’s what’s wrong with the rap game right now “). Just to bring the point home, Smith displays his accomplishments and influences:
Yo the first ever rap grammy
Let’s talk about the only reason yo ass went to Miami
(Yup) truck wit rims (check) throw back jersey (check)
champagne bottles (check) lot’s of models (check)
Damn that’s the list for 90 percent of ya’ll videos and songs
Am I wrong
“I Wish I Made That” gives props to other artists while taking aim at the industry that wouldn’t give him the time of day as he was still selling platinum. Using a chorus that incorporates his evny (a piece of Snoop Dogg’s “Drop it Like It’s Hot”) and his ismay at being overlooked for several years (a piece of his own “Summertime”), the song leads straight to a collaboration with Snoop Dogg. After a streak of rage, Snoop implores Will Smith to “Pump Ya Brakes” and calm down in a brilliant bit of album pacing.
After that, the party starts again with “If U Can’t Dance”, seeing Smith return to his nicer nature (although the wordplay is still intact). The album moves at a good clip here with more nimble lyricism but with a much better feeling. “Could U Love Me” is an ode to being loved without the fame and fortune, wondering if it can be done. All the while, Smith can still flow with the best of them.
The music here has plenty of funk and grooves, but seems more stripped-down. Before the record came out, Smith stated that this album would be more relaxed; something you could play at a party but also chill to. Executive producer Omarr “O. Banga” Rambert sees to that, and the result is an infectious backdrop for Smith, whether he’s giddy or angry.
The 411
Lost And Found is more Will Smith than anything he’s put out in the last 15 years. The goofiness of the “Big Willie” era is gone, and instead is a more personal record with shades of the “Fresh Prince”. The result is an enjoyable record that, while may seem to some like a bore, should please most rap afficianados.
Final Score:7.5
http://www.411mania.com/newdesign/music/re...reviews_id=4122
