Will Smith apparently found himself in an unexpected mosh pit on Halloween, with newly surfaced footage showing the actor enthusiastically enjoying a performance from progressive metal outfit Animals As Leaders during a private celebration for his daughter, Willow Smith.
The video was shared on Instagram by New York-based drummer Marco Cirigliano, who indicated that the event was held in celebration of Willow’s 26th birthday.
In the clip, the Independence Day and Men In Black star can be seen smiling, jumping around and bumping into other attendees as Animals As Leaders deliver their intricate instrumental sound. It’s an unexpected sight, but one that makes for a memorable birthday party moment.
Willow has developed a musical identity of her own since first breaking through with her 2010 hit single “Whip My Hair.” After initially finding success in hip-hop, she gradually moved toward alternative rock and pop-punk, while also exploring jazz and progressive influences.
Her latest albums, ‘Petal Rock Black’ and ‘The Thread’, arrived this year and continued that experimentation.
Willow has also previously spoken about her appreciation for heavier music. During a 2022 interview with Guitar World, she described rock as an expansive genre and encouraged listeners not to overlook its heavier styles.
“People focus on pop-punk a lot,” she said. “We all love pop-punk, it’s beautiful and amazing. But let’s not forget the metal, thrash and classic rock. There are all these different forms that rock takes and all these different feelings it can express. This album [that year’s Coping Mechanism] is a love letter to all the flavours rock can have, from Smashing Pumpkins to Lamb Of God.”
Her comments make the choice of entertainment for the birthday celebration particularly fitting, even if seeing her father getting involved in the action is a little more unexpected.
Of course, Will Smith has his own musical background. Before becoming a major Hollywood star, the 58-year-old performer rose to prominence as one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Their 1988 album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ went three-times Platinum in the United States, helping launch Smith toward the film and television career that followed, including his starring role in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
Apparently, Smith can now add moshing to Animals As Leaders to his list of unexpected accomplishments.
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