Will Smith Releases New Song Addressing Oscars Incident
Will Smith is making headlines once again with the release of his debut album in two decades. The rapper and actor addresses the 2022 Oscars incident in which he slapped comedian Chris Rock in his new song.
The controversy began when Rock made a joke about actress Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head while presenting an award. Smith, her husband, took offense to the joke and was subsequently banned from the Academy Awards for ten years after approaching the stage and hitting Rock.
The song, titled “Int. Barbershop — Day,” is featured on Smith’s new album “Based on a True Story.” The track opens with the words, “Will Smith is cancelled,” setting the tone for a candid reflection on the aftermath of the incident.
Featuring social media influencer B. Simone and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith’s longtime partner, the song includes snippets of conversations about the actor. One voice remarks, “I’ve heard that he won the Oscar, but he had to return it. You know that they only forced him to do that because he’s Black.”
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Despite the controversy, Smith went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor in the same year for his performance in “King Richard.” He did not have to return his prize, unlike the rumors circulating in the media.
The song also references Smith’s defense of his wife, with a voice saying, “He and Jada are both crazy; what are you talkin’ about? You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth,” alluding to Smith’s warning to Rock before the altercation.
Smith’s lyrics in “You Lookin’ For Me?” reflect his resilience, with lines like, “Took a lot, I’m back on top/ Y’all are gon’ have to get acclimated/ Won’t stop, my s**t is still hot.”
While Smith publicly apologized to Rock for the incident, he later expressed deep remorse in a video statement. Rock, in turn, addressed the assault in a stand-up show in 2023, continuing the conversation surrounding the controversial event.
