Will Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia. He spent most of his days in a playground, training basketball and relaxing all cool. Career-wise, he started as the vocalist of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer. The duo was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988).
Smith was a charismatic and energetic performer but he was nearing bankruptcy when in 1990, the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and helped revitalize his career
Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation (in which he played totally against type as a gay con man) while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence.
After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended in 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones's deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office. Because his movies usually open during the July 4th weekend, many people have come to call a July 4th weekend in which Will Smith stars in a movie "Big Willie Weekend."
Lead roles in Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, Ali, Men in Black II Bad Boys II and "I, Robot" then followed. He also starred in 2005's Hitch. (Like Smith, Hitch co-star Kevin James starred in a sitcom named for royalty, The King of Queens.) His 2006 role is that of Chris Gardner in the "inspired by a true story", "The Pursuit of Happyness" was nominated for, "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role" an Oscar in 2007. Smith's son Jaden also stars in the movie.(Jaden Smith as of 2010 lately played the lead role of Dre Parker in the 2010 remake of "The Karate Kid".) Will Smith's latest acting role was "Seven Pounds" in 2008 where he played Ben Thomas an IRS agent. Since then he's been producing movies that include, "The Karate Kid"(2010), "The Human Contract"(2009), and "Lakeview Terrace"(2008)
Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali.
Smith also released a string of hit singles, often associated with his most recent film, throughout the late 1990s. The most notable of these were his #1 hit theme song "Men in Black," the #1 hit "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which made jiggy a catchphrase for a while in 1998), and "Just the Two of Us," an affecting message to his young son. His first two solo albums went platinum, but his third, on Columbia Records, was a sales disappointment compared to his past efforts, and after a quick Greatest Hits release that was almost not advertised at all, he was dropped by the label. He signed a recording contract with Interscope Records and released the successful Lost and Found in 2005. The album was propelled solely on the smash hit single, "Switch," which appealed to the mainstream media ala "Summertime." The single stayed atop the charts for months and returned Smith to the forefront of Hip Hop.
Also, on February 6, 2005 he appeared in the Super Bowl XXX.
On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia before an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Smith married actress Sharee Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997. Together they have two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998) and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000). Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc., a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son. He has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40.
Will Smith has been criticized for his lip service to his home town of Philadelphia, PA. Several of his songs talk about parts of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. While he has spoken over the years about how much he loves the city and how much he wants to give back, none of his proposed ventures in the city of Philadelphia have ever been developed. He has proposed opening a restaurant, several upscale bars, and a community center in Philadelphia which have never seen development.
Potnas
Will Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About friendship
The kind that X and Jaleel were talking about
When they wrote
Friends
How many of us have them
I'm talking about
Friends
I'm talking about a
Friend to the end
If I lose or I win
If my lou getting thin (Jazzy Jeff: what's up)
You still my friend (JJ: hell yeah)
Down for whatever (uh ha)
Tougher than leather (uh ha)
Like Runnin' into you and me together forever (that's right)
Lets say we balling (uh ha)
Somebody calling (uh ha)
Me out my name (what's up)
We gonna be brawling (hell yeah)
Lets say we out (uh ha)
Somethin go down (uh ha)
Five o around (uh oh)
You still around (true dat)
Ever since I was younger (uh ha)
Kind a always had a hunger (uh ha)
For a fairy tale friend (that's right)
Kind a like a brother (uh ha)
Everytime I go out (uh ha)
Everytime I turn around (uh ha)
Ain't gotta wonder about (uh uh)
What the brother doing now (uh ha)
You been my friend from the beginning to end
We flowing to where we going cause Lord know we done been through the storm before the calm
Life could drop a bomb
Cause Jazzy we got a bond
Like we was in Vietnam Truss it (word up)
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Are you my lady? (Jada: uh ha)
Are you my baby? (uh ha)
No ifs or maybes? (uh uh)
Till pushing daisies (that's right)
You on my arm (uh ha)
Keep you from harm (uh ha)
Won't break that bond (uh uh)
Word to my mom (no doubt)
Tell me you love me (I love you)
Tell me you swear (I swear)
And if I need you (just call)
You gonna be there (right here)
Death do us part (uh ha)
Through thick and thin (uh ha)
You got my heart (back at cha)
Girl when the nights cold I'm warm holding the fact
That I got you holding my back
With my feelings stealing the blue of the sky leaving them grey
Girl you the sun to brighten up my day
When it seem like the hill to steep and my vision getting blurry
Call on you, my dove, be there in a hurry
When all is gone wrong and I can't go on you my angel immortalised in song baby forever
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
A-ight what we about to do right now
We about to take the partners oath
So wherever you at put your right hand in the air
We gonna pledge allegiance to our partners right now
Y'all my peoples (uh ha)
Y'all my dogs (uh ha)
In the sun (uh ha)
Through the fog (uh ha)
If I'm wrong (uh ha)
Tell me the truth (uh ha)
But if they wrong (uh ha)
We blow the roof (ooh yeah)
Share smiles (uh ha)
Share tears (uh ha)
Lean on you (uh ha)
Ease my fears (uh ha)
To the end (uh ha)
From the start (uh ha)
Minus the cream (oh yeah)
Cross ya heart (oh yeah)
Me for you (no doubt)
You for me (no doubt)
That's the way (no doubt)
It's gonna be (no doubt)
Inseparable (no doubt)
Never sever (no doubt)
Us forever (no doubt)
We's together (wooh)
However far (uh ha)
We be apart (uh ha)
One vision (uh ha)
One heart (uh ha)
To my friends (uh ha)
To my dove (uh ha)
To my fam (uh ha)
One love (wooh)
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down for the good times
But also down through the bad times
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down through the good times
But also down through the bad times
Will Smith's song "Potnas" is a dedication to friendship, which he describes as the kind that X and Jaleel talked about when they wrote "Friends." He emphasizes the importance of having friends that you can depend on through thick and thin. Will uses clever wordplay and rhyming to convey this message. He touches on scenarios where the friendship bond is tested, for example, when someone is calling you out, or when you're surrounded by the police. Through it all, he assures his friend that they will always stand by each other's side.
Will also takes a moment to praise the special lady in his life, his wife Jada. He expresses his love and commitment to her, promising to be there for her in good and bad times. He describes her as his angel immortalized in a song forever, emphasizing the enduring power of their love.
"Potnas" is a heartfelt and uplifting song that celebrates friendship and love. Will's writing showcases his skill as a rapper, as he uses cadence and rhyme to drive the message home.
Line by Line Meaning
This here is a record I wrote About friendship
The artist wrote this song to express the value and importance of true friendship.
How many of us have them I'm talking about Friends Ones we can depend on I'm talking about a Friend to the end
The artist emphasizes the rarity of true friends that can be depended on at all times, and the value of having such friends in life.
If I lose or I win If my lou getting thin (Jazzy Jeff: what's up) You still my friend (JJ: hell yeah)
True friends remain loyal and supportive, regardless of one's success or failures, indicating the strength of their bond.
Down for whatever (uh ha) Tougher than leather (uh ha) Like Runnin' into you and me forever (that's right)
Good friends will always have each other's backs, no matter what, and their bond cannot be broken, much like two bodies colliding, showing their resilience and strength.
Lets say we out (uh ha) Somethin go down (uh ha) Five o around (uh oh) You still around (true dat)
Even in difficult situations, true friends remain present and supportive, exemplifying their dedication to each other.
Everytime I go out (uh ha) Everytime I turn around (uh ha) Ain't gotta wonder about (uh uh) What the brother doing now (uh ha)
True friends need not worry about the actions of the other as they trust and rely on each other completely.
Ever since I was younger (uh ha) Kind a always had a hunger (uh ha) For a fairy tale friend (that's right)
The artist always longed for a true friend like those depicted in fairy tales and acknowledges the rarity and value of such friendship in real life.
You been my friend from the beginning to end We flowing to where we going cause Lord know we done been through the storm before the calm Life could drop a bomb Cause Jazzy we got a bond Like we was in Vietnam Truss it (word up)
The artist acknowledges the strength and value of his bond with his friend Jazzy, forged through years of good and bad times, as it has helped them navigate the most challenging of situations, akin to being in war together.
Everybody need a partner to stand right by their side Not only down through the good times But also down through the bad times
The artist reiterates the importance of having a constant, supportive partner or friend through both good and bad times, as it is essential for one's well-being.
Are you my lady? (Jada: uh ha) Are you my baby? (uh ha) No ifs or maybes? (uh uh) Till pushing daisies (that's right)
The artist expresses his dedication and commitment to his partner and acknowledges that their bond is a lifelong one, until death parts them.
You on my arm (uh ha) Keep you from harm (uh ha) Won't break that bond (uh uh) Word to my mom (no doubt)
The artist pledges to protect and support his partner and acknowledges the value and sanctity of their bond, illustrating his loyalty and dedication to her.
Tell me you love me (I love you) Tell me you swear (I swear) And if I need you (just call) You gonna be there (right here)
The artist emphasizes the importance of clear communication between partners, and unconditional support and availability.
Inseparable (no doubt) Never sever (no doubt) Us forever (no doubt) We's together (wooh)
The artist affirms the strength and unbreakability of his bond with his partner, indicating their dedication to each other, and their lifelong commitment to their relationship.
One vision (uh ha) One heart (uh ha) To my friends (uh ha) To my dove (uh ha) To my fam (uh ha) One love (wooh)
The artist emphasizes the value and importance of loving and caring for his friends, family, and partner, as they are an integral part of his life and world, illustrating the unity and significance of love.
Contributed by Liam M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.