Will Smith is making a return to the music industry after nearly two decades, using his latest studio album Based on a True Story to address one of the most controversial moments of his career—the 2022 Oscars slap involving comedian Chris Rock.
The 56-year-old actor, who was banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years following the incident, has chosen to channel his emotions through music. His album’s executive producer, Omarr Rambert, shared insights into Smith’s mindset, revealing that the actor wants to embrace vulnerability after being viewed as a villain for the first time in his career.
“This was the very, very first time that he wasn’t the good guy, that the internet treated him like the villain,” Rambert told The Post. “[Now] he just wants to be vulnerable and honest and show other sides of himself.”
The controversy originated from a joke made by Rock about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss disorder, prompting Smith to slap the comedian onstage and shout, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth.” While Smith later issued a public apology, he acknowledged that his reaction was driven by emotion.
In the introspective track Int. Barbershop – Day, Smith directly confronts public perception, opening with the line, “Will Smith is canceled.” The song also references his family, with lyrics stating, “Him and Jada both crazy, girl, what you talkin’ about? / You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth.”
After the Oscars fallout, Smith retreated from the public eye, using the time to strengthen bonds within his family. Rambert emphasized the human aspect of Smith’s experience, saying, “A lot of people who aren’t in Will’s position might say, ‘You’re rich and famous.’ [But] he’s still a human being. Having to go on hiatus, feeling like people are against you, is not fun, especially when you were the good guy.”
Now, Smith is preparing for a full-fledged comeback. In addition to his new album, he is set to embark on a European tour this summer, marking a significant step in his journey back to the public spotlight.