The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s Will Smith explains how his dislike of the original theme song saw him taking a nerve-wracking chance to make a more fitting tune. The 1990s sitcom saw a young teen from Philadelphia move to live with his wealthy relatives in the titular Los Angeles neighborhood across six seasons from 1990 to 1996. Starring Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s cast featured James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Daphne Maxwell-Reid, Alphonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, and Joseph Marcell.
As Vice‘s Black Comedy In America series turned its attention to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith confessed that he loathed the original theme song that the late Quincy Jones pitched, but he felt he couldn’t say that directly to the producer due to both his involvement and reputation in the music industry. As such, Smith joined forces with his frequent collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff to remix the rendition before presenting it to the composer, leading to Jones approving and agreeing that the remix was a much more timely update compared to the original. Read the full response below:
“So, you know, Quincy did “Sanford and Son.” You know, one of the greatest theme songwriters ever. So Quincy presented a theme song, and I, like, hated it. And so I go to Jeff, I was like, “Dude, this is the song that Quincy wants.” And I was like, “I can’t — I can’t say nothing.” You know, it’s Quincy. What I’m supposed to say? Jeff was like, “Yo, we should record what it should be.” So, you know, Jeff had his equipment in his hotel room and we worked it out, and we just laid a… we made a demo that basically – it just tells the story of the show. So, we wrote, and I went to Quincy, and I was like, “Hey Q, you know, I just, I just want you – can you take a listen to this? I was just thinking of maybe what this should be for the — for the theme song?”
I played it for him and he listened. He said, ‘That’s good. Mine’s a piece of s—.’” He said, “That’s what it needs to be.”
How Smith’s Tune Change For The Fresh Prince Theme Helped The Series Grow
The Theme Tune Is A Quick Introduction To The Entire Show
It is no doubt that Smith and Jeff’s remix was the better fit for the series. Alongside being a more modern track for the times, the song best presents Smith’s series and his story, as it introduces audiences to his character, from his casual, laid-back nature, to his cockier and boastful side as he recollects the events that earned him his plane ticket to Los Angeles.
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Furthermore, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s final theme song is a vital asset to making the series incredibly accessible to all. With the song recapping the events that led up to the series, a new viewer can enter the series at any point within the series’ run and understand the premise easily, even without knowledge of the events of past episodes. As such, while modern audiences may be more used to having the entirety of the series available at their fingertips thanks to streaming, anyone could stumble upon the series during its original run and join the sitcom at any point.
Our Thoughts On Smith’s Remixed Fresh Prince Theme Tune
The Song Helped Contribute To A Lasting Impact
While Jones may be an icon of the music industry, it is clear from its legacy that opting with Smith and Jeff’s remix helped the series stand out. Not only is the song incredibly memorable due to its visuals and rhythm, but it has often been referenced and remixed in the years since.

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However, with Smith drawing attention to Quincy’s original draft, many may be curious about the composer’s original concept. While it may have been outdated, Smith’s recollection of his experience with the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song may leave viewers eager to hear what a rendition in the styling of sitcoms past would sound like before Smiff and Jeff presented their remix.
Source: Black Comedy In America/Vice

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows Will Smith (Will Smith) after he gets himself sent away from the mean streets of his native West Philadelphia to the affluent Bel Air neighborhood. Living with his wealthy Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, Will befriends his cousins and adjusts to a life that’s the polar opposite of everything he’s accustomed to. Even with a butler and an expensive education, Will finds that growing up isn’t easy, regardless of circumstance.ย
- Cast
- Will Smith , James Avery , Tatyana Ali , Joseph Marcell , alfonso ribeiro , Karyn Parsons , Daphne Reid
- Release Date
- September 10, 1990
- Seasons
- 6