Born to Reign is the third studio album released by American actor and rapper Will Smith. The album was released on Columbia Records in the United States on June 25, 2002, and was considered a drop from his previous level of success, having only reached Gold status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), whereas Big Willie Style and Willennium both reached multi-platinum status. This album includes "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)", which was also the lead single from the original motion picture soundtrack of Men in Black II. The album also spawned the European hit single "1000 Kisses", which features vocals from Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
AllMusic gave the album a four-star rating, claiming:
"It'd be inaccurate to call Will Smith's third album the musical equivalent of Ali -- a bid for artistic credibility from an artist so assured and smooth, it's been easy to pigeonhole him as merely a pop artist -- but given the range and harder edge on Born to Reign, it's hard not to think of it at first. Make no mistake, this is not as serious as Ali, nor is it a record whose first intent is to enlighten and educate. It's a fun, pop-leaning record, much like his first two records, and never is it afraid to return to the sounds and styles that brought the former Fresh Prince big hits, but among comfortably familiar jams, Smith stretches his legs. Some of the hip-hop hits harder; there's a touch of reggae; he even appropriates a bit of a Ricky Martin vibe on "I Can't Stop.
It's a small but significant change, and while it doesn't result in a record that flows as effortlessly, or giddily, as Willennium, it's easy to kill the effort to stretch, because even if all the experiments aren't necessarily successful, however, sometimes, the idea is better than the execution, it does reinvigorate the Smith signature pop-rap sound, apart, oddly, from the theme for Men in Black 2, "Black Suits Comin'," the only cut in this vein to fall flat, and results in another solid record from Smith. Maybe not as consistent as its predecessors, but still enjoyable in its familiar turf, while provoking admiration for its ambition, even when it's not always satisfying. Not a bad way to stretch."
Will Smith (born September 25, 1968) is a 57-year-old American actor, producer, and rapper, renowned for his immense success in television, music, and blockbuster films. Rising to fame as "The Fresh Prince" in the 1990s, he achieved critical acclaim in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, later winning an Academy Award for King Richard (2022). Variety Variety +3 Key Details About Will Smith: Early Life & Career: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began his career as a rapper in the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, winning the first-ever Grammy for rap in 1989. He transitioned to acting with the iconic TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990âÂÂ1996). Film Stardom: Known as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, his major films include Independence Day, Men in Black, Bad Boys, and I Am Legend. Family: He married Jada Pinkett Smith in 1997. He has three children: Trey Smith (with ex-wife Sheree Zampino), Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith. Recent Activity: Following the 2022 Oscars incident, he has continued producing and acting. As of 2025, he released new music, announced an album titled Based on a True Story, and was honored in West Philadelphia. Awards: He has won over four Grammy Awards and one Academy Award. YouTube YouTube +6 He remains a major figure in entertainment, having successfully transitioned from music to television and becoming a global box-office star.
Born to Reign debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200, selling 60,000 copies in its first week. On July 26, 2002 the album has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of April 2005, the album sold 237,000 copies in the US.
The album was released as a copy-protected disc, which reportedly not only prevented the contents of the disc from being copied, but froze users' computers after they attempted to listen to it via their CD-ROM drives. This resulted in complaints of lost computer files due to the album's protection element.
Personnel credits adapted from liner notes.