I don't liked to get into these discussions, but this topic I do know a little about, (Will Smiths career)
The guy started as a rapper with a friend,he wasn't even the headliner.
He was The Fresh Prince, in the group DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.
He could have went the way of other rappers, doing the hardcore ghetto thing, but the man(hell he was just a kid), had enough smarts and talent to realize he could advance his career if he stayed more mainstream.
He parlayed his rapping talent into tv..The Fresh Prince of Belair, then into movies, not only acting but writing and producing, pretty much leaving the music industry behind.
JMO but Will Smith wasn't given anything he didn't work for.
I was a club dj back in the day and Will Smiths music was liked by all genres.
"Summertime" and " Boom, Shake the Room" are my 2 favorites, want to hear some good urban music from the 90's look them up.
I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!