Track List:
01 - Here He Comes
02 - Party Starter
03 - Switch
04 - Mr. Niceguy
05 - Mr. Holy Roller
06 - Lost & Found
07 - Tell Me Why (feat. Mary J. Blige)
08 - I Wish I Made That / Swagga
09 - Pump Ya Brrakes (feat. Snoop Dogg)
10 - If you Cant Dance (Slide) (feat. Nicole of Pussy cat Dolls)
11 - Could U Love Me
12 - Loretta
13 - Wave Em Off
14 - Scary Story
15 - Switch...R&B Remix (feat. Robin Thicke)
16 - Hidden Track (Switch Remix (feat. Elephant Man))
Will Smith has come a long way since starting out in his “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” sitcom and rapping alongside his pal DJ Jazzy Jeff, a partnership which produced classics like “Summertime” and “Parents Just Don’t Understand”. Now a $20 million a movie Hollywood star, many would question why he continues to make rap music. Will Smith clearly isn’t in it for the money, but rather for the love of hip-hop.
When he dropped the “Fresh Prince” and started rapping under his real name, “Big Willie’s” releases were usually plain and simple dance and pop tunes like “Miami” and “Getting Jiggy Wit It.” While these were pretty popular singles, the albums that contained them were relatively average. With “Lost and Found,” Will has ditched his “Big Willie” attitude and come up with a more serious and focused style which blends his clever (and still clean) lyrics with fresh production, which allows him more than ever to deliver his personal thoughts and feelings on record.
Unlike most modern hip-hop releases, “Lost and Found” is a clean and refreshing album with an old-school feel. Eminem one rapped about Will’s never swearing policy on his track “The Real Slim Shady”:
“Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records,
Well I do,
So f*ck him and f*ck you too!”
So it’s only right that on “Mr. Niceguy,” Will replies to some of the negative comments made about him by the hip-hop world, he finally replies to Mr Mathers:
“Dissed by Em but did it bother him (yup)
But he classy, BigWill just get another 20 mill
And walk right past E”
The great thing about “Lost and Found” is its diversity. The album covers so much ground; it can’t really be compared to Will’s previous releases. Will seems to have covered all angles with his selection of chartable songs like “Tell Me Why” with Mary J. Blige, “Pump Ya Brakes” with Snoop and “Switch,” as well as spreading his words of wisdom on tracks like “Tell Me Why,” which has Will struggling to explain the events of 9/11 to his son and what could be taken as a reply to Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” on “Ms. Holy Roller” were Smith, a Christian himself, questions people who force their religion upon others.
Despite this being one of Will Smith’s best releases, I can’t see this album selling too well. The album itself isn’t a problem, the real problem is that was released through Interscope and they have put very little backing behind the release. They would rather put all their resources behind their biggest money spinners, the Shady/Aftermath family.
“Lost and Found” would make a welcome addition to any true hip-hop fan’s music collection. If you want a break from today’s generic hip-hop rut, you should pick up a copy of the album. With excellent production, the old-school feel and a track listing that doesn’t really contain one bad track, “Lost and Found” should appeal to anyone who likes hip-hop that doesn’t have to be about guns, blunts and bitches.
Hot Tracks: “Here He Comes,” “Lost and Found,” ”Switch,” “Pump Ya Brakes”
Verdict: 7/10
Artist: Will Smith