: Smith revealed that he found his "spin" on the character by sampling the drum beat from the Honeydrippers' "Impeach the President," allowing him to deliver a "Fresh Prince-style" flow.
: The production includes a hard-hitting bass hook, sitar licks, and flute work, combined with Smith’s signature beatboxing and improvised ad-libs. Will Smith - Friend Like Me (from Aladdin)
The 2019 Aladdin soundtrack features multiple variations of the track: : Smith revealed that he found his "spin"
: While the original version by Robin Williams was a big band/swing number, Smith's rendition infuses modern hip-hop and rap elements. : A shorter version performed by the cast
: A shorter version performed by the cast at the end of the film. Reception & Performance
: The song was produced by Michael Kosarin and Matt Sullivan, with the legendary Alan Menken returning to oversee the musical arrangement. Versions & Tracklist
: Initial reactions were mixed due to the iconic nature of Robin Williams' original performance. However, many critics and fans praised Smith for making the role his own by leaning into his hip-hop roots rather than attempting a direct imitation.