Will Smith Once Said Biggie’s ‘Ready To Die’ Should Be Taught in Psychology Classes (But His Choice of Words Still Raises Eyebrows)

October 31, 2026 - 18:52

Will Smith once made a case for The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album earning a place in the classroom, arguing that "Ready to Die" deserved study in psychology courses. The comment surfaced during a conversation about the rapper's lasting influence, and Smith did not hold back on his praise for the 1994 record.

Smith described the album as a deep look into the human mind, pointing to its raw honesty about fear, ambition, and self-destruction. In his view, the record captures emotional extremes that textbooks often struggle to explain, which is why he felt it belonged in a psychology setting rather than only in music discussions.

The remark drew attention for how Smith framed his point. Some listeners felt he overstated the case by treating a rap album as academic material, while others agreed that Biggie's storytelling offered a vivid portrait of pressure and survival. Either way, the comment stuck with fans because it came from a mainstream star willing to credit hip hop with real intellectual weight.

Biggie's album remains a landmark of East Coast rap, praised for its narrative detail and production. Smith's suggestion, whether taken seriously or not, added another layer to the long-running debate about where popular music belongs in education.