The theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is arguably one of the most iconic television theme songs of all time. Instantly recognizable and endlessly catchy, it perfectly sets the stage for the fish-out-of-water comedy that charmed audiences throughout the 90s. However, what many fans might not know is that the beloved theme song we all rap along to was not the original tune envisioned for the show.
According to Will Smith himself, the first theme song proposed for the sitcom was, in his words, “a piece of s—,” a sentiment echoed by the legendary Quincy Jones, who actually wrote it. This surprising revelation came to light during a VICE docuseries episode of Black Comedy in America, where Smith recounted the humorous story behind the theme song’s creation.
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Despite Quincy Jones’ incredible musical pedigree, including his groundbreaking work with Michael Jackson, Smith confessed he was far from impressed with the initial theme song offering. Feeling conflicted due to Jones’ stature, Smith turned to DJ Jazzy Jeff for advice. As Smith put it, “What am I supposed to say?” when faced with critiquing a song by Quincy Jones?
Jazzy Jeff’s solution was simple and brilliant: create a demo of what they believed the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song should sound like. Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff collaborated and crafted a demo that, as Smith described, “tells the story of the show.” This demo was a narrative rap that laid out the premise of a West Philadelphia native moving to the affluent Bel-Air neighborhood.
They nervously presented their demo to Quincy Jones, unsure of how he would react to their unsolicited musical input. To their astonishment, Jones listened and declared, “That’s good. Mine’s a piece of s—.” He recognized that their demo, with its storytelling lyrics and upbeat vibe, was precisely “what it needs to be” for the show. Smith noted that Jones understood his original song was simply not the right fit for the 90s sitcom’s contemporary feel.
The collaboration between Jones and Smith began in 1989 when Benny Medina pitched the Fresh Prince concept. Jones, hosting a party, was introduced to Smith and immediately connected with his Fresh Prince persona, which became the show’s title. Jones handed Smith a script, leading to an impromptu audition and a contract signing. Just three months later, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was in production, with the now-iconic theme song at its heart.
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Quincy Jones, who passed away at 91, remained a mentor to Smith. Smith’s tribute to Jones on Instagram highlighted Jones’ profound impact, describing him as “the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend.” The story of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song serves as a testament to Jones’ humility and his willingness to recognize and champion authentic creativity, even when it meant setting aside his own work for something that better captured the spirit of the show. The result is a theme song that has become an unforgettable part of television history, forever linked to the cultural phenomenon that is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
