Editing Will Smith (section)

== DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince ==

The duo's recordings brought unprecedented crossover success to hip-hop, their 1988 single "Parents Just Don't Understand" winning one of the first Grammy Awards presented to rap music. The song's humorous take on generational conflict appealed to audiences who might have been resistant to hip-hop's harder variants, while Smith's charisma translated through recordings in ways that anticipated his later success in visual media. Their albums, including "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper" (1988) and "And in This Corner..." (1989), sold millions while establishing them as hip-hop's most commercially successful act.<ref name="bradley"/>

"Summertime" (1991) became their signature song, its warm, nostalgic groove evoking summer experiences that transcended regional or demographic boundaries. The recording demonstrated their ability to create universally appealing music without abandoning the craft that hip-hop audiences demanded. DJ Jazzy Jeff's production and scratching, combined with Smith's engaging delivery, represented Philadelphia hip-hop at its most accessible while maintaining artistic standards that earned critical respect.<ref name="smith"/>

The duo's success was tempered by financial difficulties—Smith famously encountered IRS problems that left him nearly bankrupt despite his hit records. This experience taught lessons about business management that would inform his subsequent career, while the need for income made him receptive to opportunities outside music. The transition from recording artist to television star would soon transform his career in ways that recording success alone could not have achieved.<ref name="bradley"/>