The actor-rapper references his infamous 2022 Oscars moment and fallout with Chris Rock in his first solo album in 20 years.
Washington DC, March 28: Will Smith is addressing one of the most talked-about moments in recent Hollywood history — the infamous Oscars slap incident — through music. The actor-turned-rapper released his new album ‘Based on a True Story’ on Friday, marking his first solo music project in two decades, according to Variety.
The 2022 Oscars controversy, where Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage after a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, is directly referenced in the track “Int. Barbershop — Day”.
“Him and Jada both crazy girl, what you talkin’ bout?/ You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth,” raps Smith, echoing his now-famous line shouted during the live broadcast.
The song continues with more provocative lines, including:
“I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back / And you know they only made him do that because he’s Black.”
However, despite rumors, Smith did not lose his Oscar for King Richard. Instead, he was banned from attending any Academy-related events for 10 years and voluntarily resigned from the Academy. He later issued a public apology, expressing deep remorse for his actions.
🎶 A Long-Awaited Return
Smith’s new album marks his return to the music world after a 20-year hiatus, with his last full-length album being “Lost and Found” (2005). Since the slap, he’s kept a relatively low profile, though he did headline Apple’s ‘Emancipation’ and returned for a major box office success in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ alongside Martin Lawrence — which grossed over $400 million worldwide.
While the fallout from the Oscars incident still lingers, Smith seems to be channeling his reflections into his art, offering fans a raw and personal look at the man behind the headlines.