Editing Will Smith (section)

== Continued Philadelphia Connection ==

Smith has maintained connections to Philadelphia throughout his career, returning for events and acknowledging the city's role in his development. His partnership with DJ Jazzy Jeff has continued through occasional performances and recordings, their friendship surviving the divergent paths their careers took. The West Philadelphia identity established in his earliest performances remains central to his public persona, the neighborhood's celebration in his work ensuring that his success is understood as Philadelphia success.<ref name="smith"/>

His influence on hip-hop extends beyond his own recordings to include opening doors for mainstream acceptance that subsequent artists have walked through. The Grammy win for "Parents Just Don't Understand" legitimized hip-hop within the recording industry, while his crossover success demonstrated commercial possibilities that influenced how labels developed and marketed rap artists. Philadelphia's contribution to hip-hop includes Smith's example of how the genre could reach audiences beyond its traditional boundaries while maintaining authenticity that hip-hop demanded.<ref name="bradley"/>