Will Smith Reveals Prince Wanted to Launch a Company with Him and JAY-Z Hours Before His Death

Will Smith recently shared a stunning revelation about his final conversation with music legend Prince. During an appearance on the Broken Record podcast with Justin Richmond, Smith recalled a conversation he had with Prince just eight hours before the singer tragically passed away in April 2016.

Smith revealed that Prince had been discussing a major business venture involving himself, JAY-Z, and Smith. “He called and he was pitching,” Smith recalled. “He was saying that me, him, and JAY-Z should start an entertainment company. And he said that he had talked to Jay and he wanted to do it. We talked that night and in the morning – he was gone.”

The revelation left fans stunned, imagining what could have been if three of the most influential figures in entertainment had joined forces. Unfortunately, Prince’s unexpected death put an end to the ambitious idea before it could take shape.

Will Smith’s Connection to Late Legends

This wasn’t the first time Will Smith had a chance encounter with a music icon before their passing. During the same podcast, the Fresh Prince star also revealed that he met The Notorious B.I.G. just hours before the rapper was tragically killed in 1997. These eerie moments have only added to the mystique surrounding Smith’s long and storied career in entertainment.

Will Smith & JAY-Z’s Ongoing Business Ventures

While the joint entertainment company with Prince never came to fruition, Smith and JAY-Z have continued to collaborate over the years. Their business relationship has spanned multiple industries, from film production to real estate investments.

In 2020, Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment partnered with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation to produce a limited series about Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till Mobley. The series was announced on the 65th anniversary of Till’s murder, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Beyond entertainment, the two moguls have also made efforts to address housing inequality. In 2021, they both invested in Landis Technologies, a startup designed to help renters transition into homeowners. The investment group raised over $165 million to purchase 1,000 homes for low-income families, allowing them to rent until they qualify for a mortgage.

What Could Have Been

The idea of Prince, JAY-Z, and Will Smith forming an entertainment powerhouse is a fascinating “what if” in music history. While Prince’s passing cut the vision short, Smith and JAY-Z have continued to use their influence to shape industries beyond music. Their combined efforts in film, television, and social impact initiatives show that even if Prince’s vision never came to life, the spirit of innovation he championed still lives on.