Will Smith Addresses Chris Rock Oscars Incident in New Album

Will Smith's new album 'Based on a True Story' directly confronts the fallout from his infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, with the opening track, 'Int. Barbershop — Day,' proclaiming 'Will Smith is canceled.' The song features voices expressing strong opinions about Smith, referencing his controversial actions and the repercussions he faced, including a 10-year ban from Academy events. Smith addresses the incident in the lyrics, including a false claim that he had to return his Oscar, while he actually retained it. The album includes a second track, 'You Lookin' For Me?', where Smith reflects on his career and resilience in the wake of the scandal, asserting that his work remains significant despite the lack of nominations. This marks Smith's first full-length solo album in over 20 years, following his last release in 2005. The project showcases Smith's attempt to reclaim his narrative and address the criticisms he has faced since the incident.