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Will Smith Dishes on the Infamous Oscars Slap in New Album

It looks like actor and musician Will Smith has formally (and musically) acknowledged that infamous Oscars slap in his newest album, Based On A True Story. In fact, Smith is pretty defiant about the incident on the new album, and he addresses it in several songs.

For those who might not remember, the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air actor famously slapped comedian Chris Rock in the face during the 2022 Oscars award ceremony. The on-camera confrontation occurred after Rock made a few jokes about Smithโ€™s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. At the time, Pinkett Smith had shaved her head following struggles with alopecia. Following the jokes, Smith approached Rock on the stage and slapped him. Smith later shouted, โ€œKeep my wifeโ€™s name out of your f*cking mouth!โ€

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Smith refused to leave and later (awkwardly) accepted the award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. Rock didnโ€™t press charges against Smith, and Smith later resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He is apparently still banned from the Oscars and has since apologized to Rock for his violent outburst.

Will Smith Gets Candid About That Slap on His New Album

Despite apparently trying to leave the incident behind him, Smith addresses the Oscars slap in his newest album, Based On A True Story.

The song โ€œInt. Barbership – Dayโ€ opens the album with a number of voices whispering rumors about Smith, with some mentioning the Oscars incident. The song also references the incident with the following lyrics: โ€œHim and Jada both crazy girl, what you talking about? / You better keep his wifeโ€™s name out of your mouth.โ€

The second track on the album also references the Oscars incident. โ€œYou Lookinโ€™ For Me?โ€ shows Smith more or less bragging about the incident with the lyrics โ€œTook a lot, Iโ€™m back on top, yโ€™all gonโ€™ have to get acclimatะตd / Wonโ€™t stop, my shitโ€™s still hot even though I wonโ€™t get nominatะตd / Personal life with my wife, mind your business, itโ€™s complicated.โ€

Will Smithโ€™s new album Based On A True Story is his first musical release in about 20 years. His last album was Lost And Found from 2005. The new record was released yesterday and is available on most music streaming platforms. 

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

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