The Tribune

By FARAH

AFTER two decades of success, Men in Black star Will Smith released a remix of the 1991 classic jam "Summertime".

The 43-year-old actor and star of the 90's hit television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, recorded the remix with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The remix was produced for the "Summertime 3" mix tape by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie.

There are slight changes to the original version of the song. Instead of the upbeat rhythm, Will Smith turned "Summertime" into a smooth and groovy single.

He said: "A groove slightly transformed, just a bit of a break from the norm, rhyming over the familiar beat. Just a little somethin' to break the monotony of all that hard-core dance that it's gotten to be."

The remix got both positive and negative reviews from Bahamians. Those growing up in the 90's era, remembered the song as the anthem for the Summer.

"I loved this song. It made me feel like having house parties almost every weekend. Songs like this made you enjoy being off from school during that time. I heard the remix and it brought back all of those feelings I felt years ago," said David Miller.

Another Bahamian fan, Sasha Burrows said: "This was a classic. Back then this was the jam. The video just represented what summer was all about for me and my friends. I remember almost every party we went this song was played. The only thing that confuses me is why he waited until this new mixtape to release the remix of the song. I do not know how others will respond to it because it not better than the original version," she said.

Although "Summertime" is considered a classic by many, not all music enthusiasts share the sentiment.

"I always thought Will Smith was a bit corny when it came to rap songs. I was never crazy about this song. He is still corny to me and he is lucky he started acting in movies because people will only listen to his song because of who he is.

"The original was not hot and this one is not either. To me this is not a summer time song. I do not like how he slowed it down. It sounds as if he is just dragging. I do not like it. Now if he really wanted to remix the song, he should have approached Vybz Kartel who has a summer time song to get on that beat with him. Then that would have been a classic."