Will Smith speaks out about incident with Chris Rock at Oscars on ‘Based on a true story’

Will Smith’s new album, Based On A True Story, doesn’t shy away from addressing the headline-grabbing Oscars incident where he slapped Chris Rock. Released recently, the album kicks off with the track “Int. Barbershop – Day,” diving right into the aftermath of the incident. The song, featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone, showcases Smith’s perspective from the eyes of both critics and fans.

The opening line, “Will Smith is canceled,” sets the tone for the discussion. Another voice retorts, “You can’t cancel no icon,” leading to Smith vividly rhyming about his actions and the public’s reactions. He addresses criticisms like, “Who the f**k Will Smith think he is? And that boy damn crazy how he raising them kids,” juxtaposed with the sentiment, “And I ain’t never gonna forgive him for that sh*t he did,” repeated throughout the song. This portrayal is far from unapologetic.

The conversation in the song doesn’t stop there. It extends to recognize his groundbreaking achievements as the first Hip-Hop Grammy winner and his standing as an A-List actor. The track also delves into dispelling falsehoods about his well-documented life.

The song delves into rumors surrounding Smith, with lyrics like, “I heard he down bad, I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back,” implying that he faced undue scrutiny due to his race. The chorus emphasizes that “Will Smith is wack,” while acknowledging his wealth, humor, and attractiveness. The song makes a point to defend his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, advising others to refrain from involving her in controversial discussions.

The multiple voices in the track add an extra layer of complexity, with statements like, “One classic album, what that make him? Jay-Z? Jay-Z plus movies and TV,” and critiques like, “I don’t like his damn music, that ni**a don’t f**king curse.” The track possibly alludes to the 2020 scandal involving Jada Pinkett Smith’s “entanglement” with August Alsina, hinting at the couple’s personal tribulations.

Overall, Will Smith’s Based On A True Story album confronts head-on the repercussions of his actions at the Oscars. With a mix of introspection, public scrutiny, and personal defense, Smith’s music provides an unfiltered perspective on a turbulent event in his life.