Will Smith is back on the mic, and this time he appeared on Fire in the Booth with Charlie Sloth to address his infamous 2022 Oscars slap with Chris Rock
Without naming the comedian and actor, Smith dropped a line that felt anything but random.
“If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,” he raps. “Jokers dish it out, cry foul when it’s time to take it. City full of real ones, wasn’t raised to fake it.”
While Chris Rock hasn’t responded, the shot was crystal clear.
This isn’t Smith’s first lyrical reference to that controversial night. His recently released album Based on a True Story — his first in two decades — takes a closer look at both his personal and public life, with the Oscars incident getting presumed attention on the opening track “Int. Barbershop – Day,” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone.
Back in April, the energy around the album hit a nerve with Rock’s brother, Tony Rock, who called the project “a piece of sh*t” despite admitting he hadn’t actually listened to it.
That same month, Smith dropped the surprise freestyle, “Lunch Break,” in collaboration with Lyrical Lemonade. Over a hard-hitting trap beat, he reminded everyone who he is, comparing himself to soccer giants while reflecting on his journey from controversy to clarity.
“Hip Hop’s Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo/ Goooal! Scored on these boys/ I’ve won damn near every award on these boys/ Sold-out movie theaters and even tours on these boys/ Feelin’ like a mop, wipe the floor with these boys,” he spit with conviction.
In a line that seemed to sum up his current chapter in life, Smith continued, “I be overcoming sh*t that y’all be having trouble with/ Let ’em run they mouths, I mean really, that’s what come with this/ They built a wall but I’m jumping it and loving it/ They want me to be done with it, but I’m still havin’ fun with it.”
Take a look at his latest freestyle above.
