<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996 . The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street - smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel Air mansion after getting into a fight on a street basketball court . In the series, his lifestyle often clashes with the lifestyle of his relatives in Bel Air . The series ran for six seasons and aired 148 episodes . </P> <P> In December 1989, NBC approached Will Smith, a popular rapper during the late 1980s . The pilot episode began taping on May 1, 1990 . Season 1 first aired in September 1990, and ended in May 1991 . The series finale was taped on Thursday, March 21, 1996 . </P> <P> The theme song "Yo Home to Bel Air" was written and performed by Smith under his stage name, The Fresh Prince . The music was composed by Quincy Jones, who is credited with Smith at the end of each episode . The music often used to bridge scenes together during the show is based on a similar chord structure . </P>

Who started the fresh prince of bel air