Series Debut: 1990 The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song can to this day be recited nearly word for word by any kid who grew up in the 90s. Yes, it's a cheesy hip-hop track by Will Smith, then going by his "Fresh Prince" moniker and working with D.J. Jazzy Jeff. That doesn't mean it's not perfect for the show. The fact that university kids now can still sing this to perfection solidifies it as an iconic theme with very little rivalling it. Why did it work so well? Composed by Quincy Jones III and with lyrics by Smith, "The Fresh Prince" (the full length version used in just a few early episodes)/"Yo! Home To Bel-Air" (remix) were preformed by the Fresh Prince himself and essentially laid out the premise for the entire series in a simple, catchy theme song. It stuck in your head. For decades. Example: At an August 2014 Atlanta Falcons practice, players were recorded covering the song prior to hitting the field. The song was included in Will Smith's greatest hits package, but was never released as a single state-side at the peak of the show's popularity, possibly because D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, as a musical act, weren't exactly raking in the dollars at that point. It did, however, chart in Denmark in the 90s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoWnHMlhPvk
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
