Will Smith is doubling down on his controversial past deeds with a bold move. On Sunday, June 22nd, the 56-year-old former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star took to the mic for a freestyle performance on DJ Charlie Sloth's renowned Fire in the Booth series in London. During his rap, Will delivered a verse that directly addressed the moment he stormed the stage at the 2022 Oscars and slapped comedian Chris Rock.
"I'm not the sort to act with malice, nor do I engage in childish antics," Will rhymed, "But if you spew insanity from your mouth on that stage and disrespect me in full view, expect me to respond in kind." He continued, "Comedians dish it out but cry foul when it's time to take it. In this city of genuine people, I wasn't raised to fake it."
This isn't the first time Will has referenced the viral Oscars slap through his music. He previously addressed the incident in the track "You Lookin' for Me?" from his March album Based on a True Story. The lyrics stated, "I've weathered it all and I'm back on top; you'll all have to adjust. My fire's still burning bright, even though I won't be nominated. My personal life with my wife is complicated; mind your own business."
Flashback to March 2022, during the 94th Academy Awards, 60-year-old Rock made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, while presenting the Best Documentary Feature award. Rock quipped that Jada looked like "G.I. Jane II," referencing her shaved head due to alopecia. Will, unamused by the joke, stormed the stage and slapped Rock across the face.
"Will Smith just smacked the hell out of me," a completely taken aback Rock exclaimed. Will retorted, "Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth!"
Three months later, in July 2022, Will issued a public apology to Rock, stating, "My behavior was unacceptable." He further elaborated, "No part of me believes that was the right way to react in that moment. It was certainly not the best way to handle feelings of disrespect or insults."
As for Rock, he poked fun at the incident during his 2023 Netflix stand-up show Selective Outrage. "Everyone knows, everyone fucking knows, yes, it happened. I got slapped a year ago—I got smacked at the fucking Oscars by this asshole," he exclaimed, referencing Will's 1991 hit "Summertime" with DJ Jazzy Jeff. "People ask if it hurt. It still hurts. I've got 'Summertime' ringing in my ears."
