WILL SMITH:
FROM FILL IN TO LEADING MAN
MICHELE J MARTIN
It was a chance encounter that led Will Smith to fill in as the "hype man" for Jeff Townes in 1985. Jeff, a.k.a. D.J. Jazzy Jeff was set to perform at a house party; however, when his original partner was late, he found himself in a predicament. Having just been introduced to Smith, he decided to let him fill in. Their chemistry was instant, and while the original "hype man" eventually made it to the party, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince were born that night.
Will Smith became known for his inclusive, profanity-free rhymes. He was still in high school when their first single, "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," became a hit. Soon after, they were getting the attention of industry greats such as Russell Simmons. At the 1989 Grammy Awards, D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince won their first Grammy for Best Rap Performance for their single "Parents Just Don't Understand." It wouldn't be their last Grammy. In 1991, one year after the premiere of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith and Townes would win their 2nd Grammy for their most popular hit, "Summertime".
The idea for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was based on music manager Benny Medina's childhood. Medina pitched the concept to seminal music producer and composer Quincy Jones. Together they pitched the idea to NBC and suggested up and coming rap performer Will Smith in the lead role. Having never acted prior, Will Smith was hesitant but was later swayed under Quincy Jones's persuasion, now Executive Producer of the show.
In just three weeks from Smith accepting the role, the team had completed the script for the pilot and compiled a cast including seasoned television stars such as Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton), James Avery (Uncle Phil), and British star Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey "Butler"). The show ran for six seasons, from 1990 - 1996, and earned eight wins and 29 nominations. With meme-worthy moments such as The Carlton dance, the show not only secured its place in 90's pop culture, but it launched the Hollywood film career of Will Smith.
In the years he was filming Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith would star in Six Degrees of Separation and Bad Boys. Just two months after the series finale of Fresh Prince aired, Will Smith was on the big screen in Independence Day. It was one of the highest-grossing films in history at that time and proved that Smith was a solid box office draw. The next summer, in 1997, Smith would introduce the world to Agent J and the Men in Black. Twenty-four years have passed, and Will Smith has slowed down yet.
"I am inspired beyond my ability to articulate... and now I know what and who I want to be... a soldier for peace."
Forbes ranked Smith as the most bankable star worldwide. Newsweek has named him the Most Powerful Actor in Hollywood. Still, it's what Smith and his wife Jada have done with their combined wealth and influence that is the most remarkable. Internationally they have focused a substantial amount of their time and money on issues facing children and families in South Africa, including the AIDS crisis. For issues nationally, they have founded a charity to have the most impact.
The Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation (WJSFF) benefits inner-city community development, youth educational projects, and underprivileged children and their families. In 2020 WJSFF partnered with the #TogetherFund to combat what they believed to be the two pandemics currently facing our planet — Racial Injustice and Covid19.
Will Smith's vocal style exudes charm, self-confidence, joy, and humility. And his LAUGH. We love that. He would be a magnificent couch to get me through something I didn't want to do because he transmits joy through his voice, and it is contagious.
Imagine if a health and fitness voice assistant had a vocal style like Will Smith? Wouldn't that make crunches and squats so much LESS psychologically painful? Or a digitally voiced app to talk me through laundry, dishes, or any of the chores that we put off because ... they are the worst. Amazing, right?
Unfortunately, his unique vocal style is NOT represented in the digital voices currently dominating the markets. But imagine the possibilities if the world of digital voice matched the world of human voice. If it was as dynamic and expressive? If it could make folding fitted sheets less of a painful task?! Guess what; digital voice can be all that — learn more about AI-Voice.
Kettle voices are defined as Loud, High, Breathy, and Nasal. Learn more about the unique characteristics that make up our voices and voice types here: VOCALiD Voice Types.
This is the ninth in our Iconic Black Voices series. Make sure to come back to our blog every day this month as we highlight more iconic Black voices in celebration of Black History Month.
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