Will Smith addresses Oscars slap controversy in fiery freestyle on Fire in the Booth
Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Will Smith seems to be revisiting the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock in a newly released freestyle on Charlie Sloth's 'Fire in the Booth.' The moment adds another layer to Smith's musical comeback, which began with his March 2025 album, Based on a True Story.
'If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,' Smith raps in the track. 'Jokers dish it out, cry out when it's time to take it, City full of real ones wasn't raised to fake it.' While Smith doesn't mention Rock by name, the reference to public disrespect on stage closely mirrors the Oscars moment that saw him slap the comedian over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The 94th Academy Awards in March 2022 made global headlines after Smith walked on stage and struck Rock during his hosting gig, yelling, 'Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth!' The fallout included Smith's resignation from the Academy and a ten-year ban from attending its events.
Smith's return to music started earlier this year with Based on a True Story and continued in June with the release of his single, 'Pretty Girls.' The freestyle marks his most direct lyrical reference yet to the Oscars controversy.
While both Smith and Rock have made public comments about the incident in the years since, this verse signals that the event continues to resonate with Smith creatively — and may still be shaping his public narrative.
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Preserving Palestinian palates
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Will Smith addresses Oscars slap controversy in fiery freestyle on Fire in the Booth
Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Will Smith seems to be revisiting the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Chris Rock in a newly released freestyle on Charlie Sloth's 'Fire in the Booth.' The moment adds another layer to Smith's musical comeback, which began with his March 2025 album, Based on a True Story. 'If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage,' Smith raps in the track. 'Jokers dish it out, cry out when it's time to take it, City full of real ones wasn't raised to fake it.' While Smith doesn't mention Rock by name, the reference to public disrespect on stage closely mirrors the Oscars moment that saw him slap the comedian over a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The 94th Academy Awards in March 2022 made global headlines after Smith walked on stage and struck Rock during his hosting gig, yelling, 'Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth!' The fallout included Smith's resignation from the Academy and a ten-year ban from attending its events. Smith's return to music started earlier this year with Based on a True Story and continued in June with the release of his single, 'Pretty Girls.' The freestyle marks his most direct lyrical reference yet to the Oscars controversy. While both Smith and Rock have made public comments about the incident in the years since, this verse signals that the event continues to resonate with Smith creatively — and may still be shaping his public narrative.
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