Fresh Prince of Bel Air

# Hip-hop

# R&B

# Rap

# Will Smith

10 September 1990: Number 25 in our series of the 50 key events in the history of R&B and hip-hop music

A west Philadelphian, born and raised, Will Smith is sent to live with his rich aunty and uncle to escape a couple of guys who are up to no good. The sitcom's moralistic storylines and representation of black affluence (who could forget Geoffrey the butler?), provided a family-friendly face for hip-hop in the 90s, as well as a career-rescuing turn for rapper turned-actor Will Smith. And that's how he became the prince of a town called Bel Air.

Contributor

Rosie Swash

The GuardianTramp

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