Will Smith References Chris Rock Oscars Slap in New Freestyle

Will Smith has reignited attention on his infamous 2022 Oscars slap of comedian Chris Rock through a new freestyle on Apple Music's Fire in the Booth series, where he indirectly references the incident with pointed lines about disrespect on stage. Though he does not name Rock directly, the lyrics clearly allude to the moment, and Smith has continued to explore the aftermath in his recent album Based on a True Story, which also touches on his personal life and public controversies. The album and freestyle mark Smith's return to music after a two-decade hiatus, inspired by conversations with artists like JAY-Z, encouraging him to be authentic in his storytelling. Despite the lyrical shots, Chris Rock has not publicly responded, though his brother Tony Rock has criticized Smith’s album harshly. The incident still casts a shadow over Smith's career, which included a 10-year ban from Academy events and significant public backlash, leading Smith to do deep personal reflection. Fans and critics remain divided over Smith's musical comeback and his ongoing references to the slap incident.