Will Smith just unveiled the creative process that went behind The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song.
Revealing the story behind the birth of the song that fans now know and love, via the episode of VICE’s docuseries Black Comedy in America, the iconic actor and rapper mentioned how the now-late Quincy Jones had given his input over the track.
He recalled that the legendary record producer, who also wrote the song, thought the proposed original music for the sitcom was “a piece of s***.”
“So, Quincy presented a theme song,” the 56-year-old Bad Boys star remembered. And despite Jones having worked with Michael Jackson, Smith did not like the composed matter.
The Pursuit of Happyness actor consulted DJ Jazzy Jeff and told him “I can’t say nothing” because of who Jones was. “What am I supposed to say?”
Over which gave Smith the suggestion to record what they think the theme song should sound like and making a demo that “tells the story of the show.”
As Will Smith brought out Quincy Jones to listen to the recorded demo, he recalled the music icon’s response, “He said, ‘That’s good. Mine’s a piece of s***,'” adding that the award-winning producer also stated that the track was now “what it needs to be.”
