Additional Coverage:
Will Smith Addresses Oscars Slap in New Album After 20-Year Hiatus
After a two-decade break from releasing albums, Will Smith is back with a new record, “Based on a True Story,” and he doesn’t shy away from addressing that Oscars incident.
The album’s opening track, “Int. Barbershop — Day,” features DJ Jazzy Jeff, B.
Simone, and Smith in a conversational piece that tackles the fallout from the slap heard ’round the world. The song opens with barbershop chatter criticizing Smith, setting the stage for Smith’s character to address the controversy.
He raps about the incident that led to his 10-year ban from the Oscars, referencing the speculation around the event and defending his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
On the second track, “You Lookin’ for Me?,” Smith focuses on his comeback, seemingly acknowledging the impact of the incident on his career while asserting his return to the music scene.
The “slap” occurred at the 94th Academy Awards in 2022 when Smith struck presenter Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. Pinkett Smith has been open about her struggles with alopecia.
Following the incident, Smith resigned from the Academy, forfeiting his voting privileges. While he remains eligible for Oscar nominations and wins, he is banned from attending the ceremony for ten years.
He was not required to return his Best Actor Oscar for his role in “King Richard.”