Will Smith

Lost and Found

BY Pierre HamiltonPublished Jun 1, 2005

You cannot fault a guy from West Philly who recorded nursery rhymes and succeeded; who played a goof on TV and succeeded; and who took his shtick to Hollywood and succeeded. What you can and will do is blame Smith for releasing yet another album of prepubescent, PG-13 tracks. None of it resonates in an industry dominated by 50 Cent and Eminem, a point he addresses on "I Wish I Made That/Swagga." Lost and Found finds Smith rehashing "Getting Jiggy Wit It" ("Party Starter"), promoting his latest movie ("Switch" for Hitch) and coming to grips with 9/11 on "Tell Me Why" feat. Mary J. Blige. It's hard to take Big Willie seriously, even when he's unleashing swipes at his critics ("Mr. Niceguy") because it contrasts that lovable big-eared image he's sculpted. What's ironic is that despite the staple classic "Parents Just Don’t Understand," Smith has only ever made albums that parents will feel safe giving to their kids — harmless, non-threatening, impotent rap.
(Interscope)

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