In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased dramatically when he starred in the popular television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Byname of: Willard Carroll Smith, Jr. Smith was given the nickname “Prince Charming” in high school, which he adapted to “Fresh Prince” in order to reflect a more hip-hop sound when he began his musical career.
He even revealed why his character on the show was famously named after him. Smith's play cousin Alfonso Ribeiro actually suggested that the actor use his own name. “We had talked and I said, 'Look, if you're ever gonna do this show, you've gotta be Will Smith,” Ribeiro recalled.
After working in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Jeff Townes as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Smith began his solo career in 1997 with the release of "Men in Black", the theme song for the film of the same name, which topped singles charts in several regions across the world, including the UK.
Jeff Townes was introduced to Will Smith at a house party Townes was performing at in 1985, and Smith ended up filling in for his missing hype man. They both felt strong chemistry, and Townes was disappointed when his hype man finally made it to the party. Soon after, the two decided to join forces.
FLASHBACK: Why Will Smith Chose His Rap Name 'Fresh Prince'
Does Will Smith still talk to Jazzy Jeff?
They have remained friends ever since, and per DJ Jazzy Jeff's recent words, he still has Smith's back through thick and thin: Don't get it twisted that this would be something that he's proud of.
But the gag was nevertheless an especially memorable part of a classic show, and as the series went on, the writers offered up variations on the bit — sometimes Jazz would go out the back door (twice), or someone other than Phil would throw him out: Will did it three times, and Vivian and Geoffrey each did it once.
In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased dramatically when he starred in the popular television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
He first gained recognition as part of a hip hop duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff, with whom he released five studio albums which contained five Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles—"Parents Just Don't Understand", "A Nightmare on My Street", "Summertime", "Ring My Bell", and "Boom!
He got his start as part of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. He became an actor when he starred on the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Will Smith, a teenager from Philadelphia sent to live with his rich relatives in Southern California.
During the 2001-02 season, Smith played professional basketball for the Colima Tuberos in the LNBP League in Colima, Mexico. During that time, Smith also served as a tutor, and a conversation English teacher at the University of Colima. Smith lettered four times in basketball at Hamilton High School (Memphis).
Growing up in West Philadelphia, Smith was raised in a middle-class household by his parents, Caroline Bright and Willard Carroll Smith Sr. Despite his parents' separation when he was young, Smith had a close-knit family and was instilled with values of hard work, perseverance, and discipline.
The most significant difference between the real Will Smith's name and the show's version that separates the two as a fictional story is that in the show, Will is short for “William,” while in real-life Smith's nickname is short for “Willard.”
He's using his platform to promote one of his favorite artists. The actor and rapper took to Facebook where he posted the visual for Joyner Lucas' latest single. “Broski,” while singing the artist's praises. “My Favorite Rapper!,” Smith wrote Smith, alongside the clip.
During his conversation with Speedy Morman, Smith laughed off a question about his net worth reportedly being $350 million. "I don't even know, man. I don't discuss such things," he said.
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born July 8, 1998) is an American rapper and actor. The son of Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith, he has received various accolades, including a Teen Choice Award, an MTV Movie Award, a BET Award and a Young Artist Award.
In 1990, Will Smith landed the lead role in the sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which propelled him to superstardom. The show ran for six successful seasons and established him as a comedic talent. 5. What are some of Will Smith's most notable films?
The character of Will Smith is loosely based on the life of Warner Bros. executive Benny Medina as well as the actor who plays him of the same name (although in the show 'Will' is short for William, while in real life it is short for Willard).
Smith's career in the music industry started when he formed a hip-hop duo named DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince with his childhood friend. Their debut single Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble was released in 1987, and Smith quickly became known for his light-hearted lyrics, and profanity-free rhymes.
Furthermore, speculators often discuss when jazz music started exactly to decrease in consumption and popularity; many of them agree that it was around the 1960s, when “Rock had pushed jazz off the mainstage. [And] by then, jazz leaders knew they were losing their audience,” according to CNN Entertainment.
The early development of jazz in New Orleans is most associated with the popularity of bandleader Charles "Buddy" Bolden, an "uptown" cornetist whose charisma and musical power became legendary.
