Will Smith appears to be breaking his silence in the most hip-hop way possible—through bars. In a recent “Fire in the Booth” freestyle with Charlie Sloth, the actor and rapper seemingly referenced the infamous 2022 Oscars moment when he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage after a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith. The moment became one of the most shocking in Oscars history and led to a firestorm of controversy, ultimately resulting in a 10-year ban from Academy events for Smith.
“If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,” Smith raps, his voice sharp and deliberate. While he doesn’t name Rock directly, the implication is hard to miss. The lyric seems to echo the real-life scenario that played out in front of millions worldwide, as Smith reacted to Rock’s “G.I. Jane” joke with an open-handed slap that instantly dominated global headlines.
Smith continues with more loaded lines: “Jokers dish it out, cry foul when it’s time to take it / City full of real ones, wasn’t raised to fake it.” Again, he doesn’t point fingers, but fans were quick to connect the dots. Many interpreted these lyrics as a veiled jab at Rock, suggesting the comedian was quick to mock others but unable to handle the fallout when it bounced back.
This isn’t the first time Smith has alluded to the incident. On his 2024 album Based On a True Story, Smith dropped hints about the slap and the public backlash. In the song “You Lookin’ For Me?” he raps, “Took a lot, I’m back on top, y’all gon’ have to get acclimated / Won’t stop, my s–t’s still hot even though I won’t get nominated.” The lyric seems to acknowledge his tarnished reputation and the Academy's cold shoulder while maintaining his confidence and resilience.
On the album's intro track, “Int. Barbershop – Day,” fans’ voices echo public discourse: “You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth,” referencing the exact words he yelled at Rock during the now-infamous moment.
Despite the drama, Smith has since issued a public apology and resigned from the Academy. But with these lyrical jabs, it's clear he’s not shying away from the controversy—he’s owning it, one verse at a time.
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