Will Smith Addresses 2022 Oscars Slap in New Freestyle

Will Smith has reignited discussion about his infamous 2022 Oscars slap of comedian Chris Rock through a recent freestyle rap performance on Apple Music's Fire in the Booth. In the freestyle, Smith indirectly references the incident with lyrics emphasizing respect on stage and calling out hypocrisy, which many interpret as directed at Rock. This marks a continuation of Smith addressing the event musically, following his 2025 album Based on a True Story, where tracks explicitly touch on the aftermath and public backlash he faced, including critiques about his personal life. Smith has publicly apologized for the slap in the past, describing his behavior as unacceptable, but his latest artistic expressions suggest he is reclaiming his narrative and standing firm on his perspective. The incident had led to Smith's resignation from the Academy and a decade-long ban from Oscar events. Chris Rock has not publicly responded to Smith's recent freestyle, though the topic continues to generate media and fan attention.