Archived News

Read an article about DJ Jazzy Jeff and his low profile here.

Will gets an early Valentines Day present as he gets an Oscar Nomination for Ali. More.

Will went to Muhammad Ali's 60th birthday party and performed a song!! Unfortunatly it didn't make the TV version.

Will just finished "Ali" and it was released on December 25th, 2001. Read more about Ali by going to the Ali info page

Will was December's issue of In Style and GQ magazine! Click here to read the In Style article. Click here to read the GQ article.

You can read alot of up-to-date news on Jazzy Jeff by clicking here

New interview with Jazzy Jeff! Read here

Will is in Angie Stone's new music video "Brotha". Watch it here

Will announced that he is moving to Africa on Christmas for 1 year. Read more about it here

Read an interview with Will in December's issue of Playboy. Click Here

Parents Just Don't Understand was remixed by Lil' Romeo, Nick Cannon and 3LW on "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" which came out November 20th, 2001.

MTV.com News

Despite the less than stellar returns of "Wild Wild West," rapper-actor Will Smith will draw a $20 million paycheck for starring in the upcoming Muhammad Ali bioflick being directed by Michael Mann and produced by Jon Peters for Columbia Pictures. "Variety" reports that Smith has finally signed on to star as the three-time world heavyweight champion currently suffering from Parkinson's Disease, and that Smith has already begun weight training for the role. The former Fresh Prince was originally offered the Ali project back in 1998, and talks heated up again last summer, but Smith eventually opted to shoot "The Legend Of Bagger Vance" instead with director Robert Redford and co-stars Matt Damon, Charlize Theron, and Jack Lemmon. In other deals, Smith is also in talks to possibly re-team with Tommy Lee Jones and director Barry Sonnenfeld for a sequel to 1997's box office smash "Men In Black," a film that Robert Gordon ("Galaxy Quest") is presently scripting for Columbia. "The Legend Of Bagger Vance" is scheduled to be released to theaters on August 4.

A week after budget concerns almost knocked the "Ali" biopic down for the count, a compromise has been reached between executives at Columbia Pictures and director Michael Mann that will enable Will Smith to lace up his gloves for the role of boxer Muhammad Ali. "Variety" reports that Mann, Smith, and producer Jon Peters have agreed to cover a portion of any cost overruns on "Ali," which is currently budgeted at $105 million. Columbia Pictures has also brought in a new financial partner, Initial Entertainment Group, who will impart $65 million toward the "Ali" budget in return for German rights to the film. "Ali" is now scheduled to begin shooting in January, and Mann also plans to eliminate several days of on-location work in New York City as part of the compromise with Columbia Pictures that was reached over the weekend. Last Thursday, a media spokesperson for Sony Pictures, Columbia's parent company, stated that the film was "in limbo" following the initial round of meetings on Monday and Tuesday in Los Angeles. At that time, a source close to "Ali" told MTV News that if Columbia passed on the film, Smith and Mann would likely shop the project around to other studios, as Smith had already made a mental (and physical) commitment to getting the movie in the ring. After months of speculation, Smith finally inked a deal to star as the loquacious pugilist back in May (see "Will Smith Finally Signs On For Ali Role"), and has even put all music-related projects on hold while he trains for the role. During a New York City press junket earlier this month to promote his upcoming film, "The Legend Of Bagger Vance," Smith talked excitedly about how he's been getting in shape, and in character, for "Ali." "I'm not doing anything with music," Smith said. "I'm not doing anything but training. I train three hours in the morning, and I train three hours in the evening. Then, in between, I'm doing dialect work, and I'm working with Michael Mann. I'm becoming Muhammad Ali. That's all I do." Aside from training, Smith has also bulked up in order to more closely duplicate Ali's heavyweight physique. "At this point, I'm about 217 pounds," he said, "and that's a good 20 pounds heavier than I've ever been. In 'Independence Day,' I was only 195, so I'm bigger than I've ever been. I'm stronger than I've ever been, and I'm ready to take a real fight." As part of the training, the actor/rapper has even gone toe-to-toe in the ring with Sugar Ray Leonard, but admitted that despite his competitiveness, he wasn't able to land a glove on the former middleweight champion. "I'm in the best shape of my career," Smith said. "I've got a great guy named Darryl Foster working with me day-to-day in the gym. Angelo Dundee is overseeing my training. Ali comes down to the gym a couple of times a month just to check on my jab. I sparred with Sugar Ray Leonard the other day, so my training is ridiculous. "The weird thing about boxing is no matter how much you say, 'Y'know, let's just take it easy, let's be light. We're going to go in and let's just mess around,' the second that somebody gets hit, then [it becomes], 'OK, now I'm going to hit you.' Then you go ahead and throw one back. It always ends in full-on rumbling, no matter how many times you say, 'Oh, let's take it easy, let's go light.' "So, Sugar Ray got in the ring and I was like, 'OK, now am I going to hit him first, or am I going to let him hit me first.' Fortunately, I [wasn't able to] hit him, so it worked out real well." Smith can next be seen alongside Matt Damon and Charlize Theron in the golf film "The Legend Of Bagger Vance," due out on November 3.

Looks like Will Smith is preparing to deliver another one-two punch in the entertainment arena. The rapper-turned-actor is currently working on a new album, and production on the long-awaited Muhammad Ali biopic will finally be starting this fall, with Smith still the frontrunner for the role of the boxing legend. A Columbia Records spokesperson confirmed to MTV News that Smith has been scheduling studio time whenever possible around his promotional duties for "Wild Wild West" and that his as-yet-untitled next album is currently slated to arrive in mid-October. Smith has been working in the studio with the Track Masters, Slick Rick, Sauce, Biz Markie, and his old partner Jazzy Jeff, among others, but whether or not any of those collaborations will wind up on the finished product remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Smith is said to be asking for $20 million to do the Ali biopic. The movie will be under the direction of Barry Sonnenfeld, the man behind Smith's successful stints in "Wild Wild West" and "Men In Black." Sources close to Sonnenfeld have confirmed to MTV News that the film is currently in pre-production. The legendary fighter is fully supporting the project, although his former manager and lawyer are not. Earlier this year, the pair filed court papers trying to block the film's production, saying that they control the rights to the boxer's life story through Muhammad Ali Productions, a partnership with Ali. Smith has told other media sources that the Ali flick is not the first movie on his immediate schedule, but it's not clear what is. Smith's publicist, who also cautioned that his deal for the Ali biopic has not yet been signed, said the actor is considering several new projects. However, one of those projects isn't the sequel to "Men In Black." That film isn't likely to happen until after the Ali movie is completed. And although media reports have indicated that Smith's film development company has been looking at a sci-fi thriller called "The Mark," a production employee for that feature indicated that its current status is very, very tentative. Smith was also said to have the lead role in the animated feature "Osmosis Jones," but a spokesperson for that production stated that Smith is not involved with that project. In other news, Smith may also be adding "real estate mogul" to his already extensive resume. He and his brother, Larry Smith, are looking to help finance and design a giant entertainment complex in their native Philadelphia, according to that city's "Daily News." The ultimate plan will see the center house a movie soundstage and a recording studio as well as provide space for television and radio operations, retail shops, and apartments. The project is still in the planning stages.

Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have announced the arrival of their second child, a 6-pound, 10-ounce baby girl. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the couple announced that Willow Camille Reign Smith was born on Tuesday, Halloween night, in Los Angeles. Both mother and daughter are said to be resting at home and doing fine. The child is the couple's second; the Smiths welcomed a son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, in July 1998. Will Smith also has an 8-year-old son, Trey, from a previous marriage.

Will Smith, who was nominated for a Best Rap Solo Performance Grammy Award on Tuesday for "Wild Wild West," has just released a new video he directed with his actress wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. "So Fresh" features guest shots from Biz Markie and Slick Rick, and the clip was appropriately shot on a shoestring budget to capture the feeling of old-school rap videos. "It was a little bit more than videos cost back in the day," Will explained. "'Parents Just Don't Understand' cost, like, $28,000, so videos today cost just a little bit more than that, but I just wanted it to be raw." "I just wanted to shoot everything raw," he continued, "the way it was shot, you know: just one take. Just go ahead and do it, don't worry about that just-perfect lighting, just get it into that '80s feel, that '80s vibe, really oversaturated colors and all that, with the 16-millimeter look and all... everything had to be authentic to the '80s."

Who says you can't go home again? Will Smith did just that when he returned to Philadelphia on January 21 to shoot the video for "Freakin' It." According to the "Philadelphia Inquirer," the rapper hit various locations in the city during the day with a film crew, and on Friday night, more footage was shot at the First Union Center at half time during the Sixers-Pacers game. Smith did two takes at center court and two takes running down the aisle before heading down to the courtside seats. He also made a stop at the NBC broadcast crew booth. Paul Hunter, who helmed Smith's video for "Wild Wild West," served as director once again for "Freakin' It," which is expected to begin airing in mid-February. Smith is currently making the video rounds with the '80s throwback clip for "So Fresh," which he directed with his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith.

Will Smith is among the celebrities confirmed to attend the April 16 Hollywood premiere of the new Spike Lee-produced film "Love & Basketball." Although Hollywood heavyweight Smith does not appear in the film, he does have a stake in the project. Will executive produced the film's all-star soundtrack, which features new music from Lucy Pearl, Guy, Black Eyed Peas, and Donell Jones, along with classic tracks from Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Roger, and Al Green. Others set to appear at the "Love & Basketball" premiere include Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, actress/singer Brandy, and the movie's stars, Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. Magic Johnson, Marisa Tomei, Blair Underwood, Richard T. Jones ("The Wood"), Elise Neal ("The Hughleys"), Jason Biggs, Shawn Hatosy, Maura Tierney ("ER"), Brian Krause ("Charmed"), and Brad Rowe ("Body Shots") are also scheduled to turn up at the premiere. "Love & Basketball" stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan as a couple that bonds through their love of basketball. The film opens in theatres on April 21, while the soundtrack arrives on April 18.

Singer-actor Will Smith has been chosen as one of the recipients for this year's Tree Of Life Awards from The Friends Of The Black Oscar Nominees, an organization whose members include poet Maya Angelou, actor Sidney Poitier, and music producer Quincy Jones. Smith will be honored by the group for his starring turn as James West in 1999's "Wild Wild West," and he joins such Hollywood talent as Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy, among others, who are also slated to receive the awards. In addition to the aforementioned actors, producers, and directors, the African-American organization will also specifically recognize the entire cast and creative staff for two films, "The Hurricane" and "The Best Man." The Friends Of The Black Oscar Nominees will present its Tree Of Life Awards on March 25, the day before the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, at a black-tie ceremony and dinner at the Sunset Room in Beverly Hills, California. Smith is currently filming "The Legend Of Bagger Vance" in South Carolina and Georgia with co-stars Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. The golf-themed flick is expected to arrive in theaters on August 4.

Will Smith, the Backstreet Boys, Smashmouth, actor/comedian Adam Sandler, and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal were among the celebrities who went home with "Blimp Awards" at Nickelodeon's 13th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, which aired Sunday evening. Smith had a particularly exciting evening, taking home Blimp Awards for Favorite Male Singer, Favorite Song, and Favorite Song From A Movie. The rapper/actor was also the target of the show's grand finale; he was doused with green slime, a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice tradition.

Will Smith, 98 Degrees, and LFO are amongst the celebrities that have just been added to the line-up for the 13th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, set to air on Nickelodeon on April 15. Smith is up for Kids' Choice Awards for his singing and acting in the "Wild Wild West" film and soundtrack, as he has been nominated for Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Male Singer, while his "Wild Wild West" collaboration with Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee is nominated for both Favorite Song as well as Favorite Song From A Movie.

Actor-singers Madonna and Will Smith were unceremoniously dis-honored for their less-than-spectacular film work over the weekend, as each received a Razzie Award for Worst Achievements In Film For 1999, the 1990s, and the 20th Century. Will Smith and his "Wild Wild West" co-star, Kevin Kline, received a Razzie for Worst Onscreen Couple of 1999, just one of the five awards given in connection with the Barry Sonnenfeld-directed western. "Wild Wild West," which the Golden Raspberry Foundation described as a "wretched remake of the mid-60s TV hit as a behemothly over-budget, special-effects-laden box office bomb" was also presented with Razzies for Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay of 1999, while Sonnenfeld was named Worst Director for helming the flick. Smith also shared a Razzie for Worst "Original" Song with Stevie Wonder and Kool Moe Dee for their joint collaboration on the title track to "Wild Wild West." The song, featured on the movie's soundtrack, was basically a remake of Wonder's hit single, "I Wish," from his 1976 double album "Songs In The Key Of Life."

Days after Columbia Pictures signed "The Insider" director Michael Mann to helm Will Smith in a Muhammad Ali biopic, Smith's name has already surfaced in connection with yet another movie project that he may do prior to stepping into the cinematic ring. "Variety" reports that Smith is in negotiations with Fox Studios to star in "Phone Booth," a thriller written by veteran scribe Larry Cohen, who was written for TV and film since the late '60s, including several episodes of "Columbo" in the mid '70s. The script deals with a Manhattan publicist who becomes targeted by a sniper while using a public pay phone. Fox has yet to find a director to step in to "Phone Booth," although the project had drawn interest from Michael Bay ("Armageddon") and from brothers Allen and Albert Hughes ("Dead Presidents"). Bay eventually left the project to focus on his massive "Pearl Harbor" film, while the Hughes have now attached themselves to "From Hell," a dramatized tale of Jack the Ripper based on the comic book from Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. As for Smith, he'll next appear on screen alongside Matt Damon and Charlize Theron in the Robert Redford-directed golf flick, "The Legend Of Bagger Vance," due out later this year.

The 42nd Annual Grammy Awards are less than 36 hours away, and presumably the last group of performers and presenters were added to the show's line-up yesterday, as organizers confirmed that Will Smith, Jazzy Jeff, Sisqo, Erykah Badu, and Elton John would be among those hitting the stage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Other Grammy pairings include Canadian singer-songwriter Diana Krall with Dallas R&B maven Erykah Badu, and Will Smith re-teaming with his old partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Dru Hill frontman Sisqo for a medley performance of "Wild Wild West."

Even though Will Smith finished 1999 on a high note -- by performing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on New Year's Eve -- the musician-actor's most recent movie "Wild Wild West" is being remembered as one of the worst of 1999. In a year-end episode of "Roger Ebert & The Movies," guest critic Joel Siegel cites the Barry Sonnenfeld-helmed film in the category of "Parodies That Self-Destructed" and notes that the movie "represents the very worst about Hollywood." Budgeted at more than $150 million, "Wild Wild West" opened in the U.S. over the Fourth of July weekend, grossing more than $49 million. Business dried up over the next few months, however, with the film eventually taking in $113 million in the U.S. and some $85.4 million outside America, according to "Variety." The movie's poor returns have also apparently put work on Sonnenfeld and Smith's planned Muhammad Ali biopic on hold.