After decades away from the music scene, will smith has announced his first-ever headline tour, with stops across the UK and Europe this summer.

Will Smith is finally stepping into the spotlight again—but not as an actor. This summer, the Hollywood star and Grammy-winning rapper will embark on his first-ever headline tour, ‘Based on a True Story,’ marking his long-awaited return to the music world. Fans across the UK and Europe will have the chance to witness Smith performing live for the first time in years, with concerts scheduled for August.

Smith, now 56, took to Instagram to share the news, expressing his excitement about the milestone moment. “We’re hitting up UK & Europe to bring you all the hits, some new joints, and a few surprises,” he wrote. He also admitted that despite his years in the music industry, he had never headlined a tour before. “All these years, I’ve never done a headline tour, and I can’t wait to see you guys!”

The UK leg of the tour kicks off at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on 24 August before moving to Cardiff’s Bute Park on 25 August and Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on 27 August. London’s O2 Academy Brixton will host Smith on 28 August, with his final stop at The Halls, Wolverhampton, on 30 August. European fans will also get a taste of his comeback when he takes the stage at Rabat’s Mawazine Festival in Morocco on 25 June.

Alongside his tour, Smith is gearing up to release his first full-length album in 20 years. ‘Based on a True Story’ will drop on 28 March and features collaborations with top artists, including Big Sean, Joyner Lucas, and his son Jaden. Tracks like ‘Beautiful Scars,’ which he released earlier this year with Big Sean, have already generated significant buzz. The music video for the song even paid homage to The Matrix, re-enacting one of the film’s iconic scenes.

Smith’s return to music comes after a turbulent period in his career. His infamous Oscars altercation in 2022 left a lasting impact on his public image, but he appears determined to rebuild his connection with fans through music. This tour, coupled with his new album, signals a fresh chapter for the artist who first rose to fame as the Fresh Prince.

Fans eager to secure their spot at one of Smith’s highly anticipated shows won’t have to wait long. Tickets for the tour go on sale on 21 March at 10:00 GMT, and given the star’s popularity, they are expected to sell out quickly.