Will Smith - Ms. Holy Roller (Series: Last Track on the B-Side) - Reviews

Series: Last Track on the B-Side

It's been a while since we started this continuing series back in 1999 (see series introduction).

For those of you who missed our first segments, we've covered Brian McKnight, Paul Jackson Jr., Destiny's Child, Wayman Tisdale, George Duke, Tommy Sims and more (see previous B-Side reviews).

More of "The Last Song On The 'B' Side" is presented below.

Will Smith
"Ms. Holy Roller"
Lost and Found
Interscope Records/Overbrook Entertainment, 2005

Will Smith has been a household name for some eighteen years as a pioneer in the field of urban entertainment. From his days with DJ Jazzy Jeff to his amazing movie career, Smith has garnered the respect of millions as a trendsetter in the world of entertainment.

Naturally, the release of Lost and Found, his first solo album in three years garners serious attention.

This new project is proof of a groundbreaking artist taking his responsibility as an artist seriously. And interestingly, this is the first album where Smith openly speaks out about his religious convictions. While throughout the album, he speaks to the importance of believing in God, this is most evident on the intriguing track "Ms. Holy Roller".

The cut details the story of a long-time female friend of his who has had a storied past and has now found Jesus. The catch, however, is that this friend now wants to witness to Smith in a dogmatic fashion.

Smith chronicles the life of this friend and, as an witness to her past indiscretions, asks her why she has waited so long to find Jesus. While he wonders where Jesus was in her life, he answers his own question by acknowledging that Jesus had kept him the entire time.

Smith then becomes transparent, acknowledging that he's been with Jesus since age five and chronicles his studies of the life and character of Christ. He even attributes his trademark "clean" style of hip-hop to his relationship with Christ and credits Him for keeping him in the midst of the inevitable stresses and temptations inherent in being a celebrity (read lyrics)

After nearly twenty years in the game, the longtime "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" sheds new light into the man Will Smith, as one who knows and genuinely acknowledges Christ as Lord.

Email This To A Friend

— reviewed by Gerard Bonner —