Will Smith addresses altercation with Chris Rock on upcoming album ‘Based On A True Story’

Will Smith has addressed the controversy surrounding his actions at the Oscars where he slapped Chris Rock on his latest album release. After a hiatus of 20 years, the Philadelphia-born artist dropped his new album, Based On A True Story, under Rave In A Wasteland, LLC on March 28. The album kicks off with a skit titled “Int. Barbershop – Day” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone, where patrons discuss the various rumors circulating about Smith following the 2022 incident.

The dialogue in the skit includes statements like “Will Smith is cancelled” and “I ain’t never going to forgive him for that s**t he did.” These lines reference the aftermath of the 2022 Academy Awards, where Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada. Following the incident, Smith received a ban from the Oscars for a decade, despite not being required to return his Best Actor award. He opted to apologize and resign from the Academy in response to the uproar.

In one of his songs on the album titled “You Lookin’ For Me?” Smith raps about rising back to success despite the challenges he faced during the controversy. He mentions how he may not receive nominations as frequently as before, alluding to the impact of the incident on his reputation in the industry. Variety reported that while Smith’s ban doesn’t preclude him from receiving nominations, he may face hurdles in being selected for future accolades.

Based On A True Story marks Smith’s return to the music scene after a long gap since his last album, Lost & Found, released two decades ago. The album features 14 tracks, including collaborations with notable artists like Big Sean, OBanga, Jaden, Russ, Teyana Taylor, and Fridayy. The release of the album coincided with Smith being honored with a street named after him in his hometown of Philadelphia.

Amidst the controversy and discussions surrounding his actions at the Oscars, Will Smith has found a way to channel these experiences into his music, addressing the fallout from the incident in his new album. As fans and critics alike await his next moves in the industry, Smith’s latest work seems to reflect his resilience and determination to navigate through challenges while staying true to his craft.