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Key Points

Will Smith opens up about the Oscars slap incident in his new album, 'Based on a True Story.' The track 'Int. Barbershop -- Day' directly addresses the fallout, including public backlash and racial perceptions. Smith collaborates with DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone, blending humor and controversy. This marks his first solo album in two decades.

Key Points: Will Smith Addresses Chris Rock Oscars Slap in New Album

  • Smith's new album tackles Oscars slapgate in opening track
  • Features DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone in freestyle debate
  • References backlash and racial bias in lyrics
  • First solo album in 20 years
2 min read

Will Smith talks about Chris Rock Oscars slapgate in new album

Will Smith revisits the infamous Oscars slap in his new album 'Based on a True Story,' featuring raw lyrics about the controversy.

"I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back – Will Smith, 'Int. Barbershop -- Day'"

Los Angeles, March 28

Hollywood star Will Smith is scratching some old scars as he addressed his Chris Rock Oscars slapgate in his new album 'Based on a True Story'.

The project's first track, 'Int. Barbershop -- Day', opens with the phrase, "Will Smith is canceled", reports 'Variety'.

The song, which features Smith's Fresh Prince collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone, sees differently-pitched voices trade rumors and opinions about the actor and rapper in a freestyle manner.

"Who the f*** Will Smith think he is?", one voice asks, to which another replies, "I ain't never going to forgive him for that shit he did".

As per 'Variety', Will Smith became embroiled in controversy after slapping Rock onstage during the 2022 Oscars telecast.

The comedian was presenting when he made a joke about Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Will Smith reacted by walking up on stage and slapping Rock across the face. When the actor returned to his seat, he shouted, "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth".

Later on in the show, the actor returned to the stage to accept the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in 'King Richard'.

'Int. Barbershop -- Day' tackles the Oscars controversy more directly with the lyrics, "I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back/ And you know they only made him do that shit because he's Black".

However, Smith did not have to return his Oscar, the Academy instead banned him from attending any event related to the organization for 10 years.

Will Smith also resigned his Academy membership and issued an apology, saying that he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions.

The song later references Will Smith's infamous response to Rock's joke with the line, "Him and Jada both crazy girl, what you talkin' bout?/ You better keep his wife's name out of your mouth".

'Based on a True Story' marks Smith's first full-length solo music project in 20 years.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

M
Marcus T.
Interesting that he's addressing this through music. The barbershop concept is creative - feels like he's letting people talk while also telling his side. Still think he should've handled it differently though.
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Sarah L.
I actually respect him for owning it in his art. We all make mistakes, and he's clearly still processing what happened. The Fresh Prince is back! 👑
J
Jamal K.
That Oscars moment was wild but let's be real - Chris shouldn't have made that joke about Jada's alopecia. Two wrongs don't make a right, but I get why Will snapped.
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Tina R.
Not sure how I feel about this... The racial angle in the lyrics feels forced. The ban was about his actions, not his skin color. Otherwise interesting approach though.
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Derek P.
First album in 20 years and THIS is what he chooses to focus on? 😅 I was hoping for some fresh bangers, not rehashing old drama. Still gonna listen though!
A
Aisha B.
The way he's using multiple voices in the song is brilliant - shows how everyone had an opinion about the situation. Art is the perfect way to process this kind of public trauma.

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