Actor and rapper Will Smith has released a new album in which he addresses the incident at the 2022 Oscars, when he slapped comedian Chris Rock, an act that earned him a ten-year ban from attending the Academy Awards.
The album, titled "Based on a True Story," features a song called "Int. Barbershop — Day," which begins with the line, "Will Smith is canceled."
At the beginning of the song, several voices speak about Smith. One says:
"I heard he won an Oscar, but he had to give it back..." You know they put him through that just because he's black.
The same year as the incident, Smith did indeed win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, but he was never forced to return the statuette.
Another voice adds:
« Him and Jada are crazy... What are you talking about?! You better not say his wife's name ", referring to the line Smith had shouted at Rock:
« Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth! ", before going on stage.
In the song, Smith raps:
« I've been through a lot, I'm back on top... You'll have to get used to it... I'm not going to stop, I'm still loving it... Even if I'm not nominated. »
And he concludes with:
« You're looking for me ? "
Will Smith had already publicly apologized to Chris Rock for his actions, and later released a video expressing his deep regret.
Chris Rock, for his part, addressed the incident in a comedy show in 2023, where he addressed the attack in a satirical way.
