Will Smith has released a new album, Based on a True Story, which addresses his infamous Oscars slap incident in 2022. The first track, Int Barbershop – Day, immediately tackles the moment when Smith interrupted Chris Rock at the ceremony and slapped him before returning to his seat.
The song includes lyrics such as “I heard he won the Oscar but had to give it back” and “Him and Jada both crazy girl, what you talkin’ bout?” Smith’s album seems to be an attempt to address the incident, with the second track You Lookin’ for Me? elaborating on the subject.
While it might seem unusual that Smith is releasing another album about the incident three years later, it could be seen as a necessary step in the healing process. However, some have criticized the lack of factual accuracy in his lyrics, citing instances such as Smith being banned from attending Academy events for a decade and voluntarily resigning his membership.
Despite this, Smith’s album does mark a significant moment in bringing closure to the incident. Chris Rock had initially taken time to comment on the slap before speaking out at his live Netflix special Selective Outrage. Now that all parties have had their say, it seems possible for fans to detach themselves from the incident and move forward.
Ultimately, Smith’s album may not provide a thorough explanation or satisfaction in resolving the issue, but it does show that he is taking steps towards accountability. As the dust settles on this highly publicized incident, we can begin to focus on moving forward and “taking the slap out of our mouths.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/28/oscars-will-smith-raps-slap-new-album-based-true-story