Will Smith is once again revisiting the infamous moment he slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars — this time through rap.
In a new “Fire in the Booth” freestyle with Charlie Sloth released Thursday, the Philly-born actor and rapper spits a pointed bar that appears to reference the Oscars incident:
“If you talking crazy out your face up on the stage and disrespect me on the stage, expect me on the stage.”
Though he doesn’t name names, the line echoes the very moment Smith stormed the Oscars stage and slapped Rock after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
He continues with even more heat:
“Jokers dish it out, cry foul when it’s time to take it / City full of real ones, wasn’t raised to fake it.”
The freestyle has already sparked buzz online, with fans and critics debating whether Smith is finally owning the moment or simply reigniting controversy. Chris Rock, as of now, has not responded.
Not His First Reference
This isn’t Smith’s first lyrical jab at the 2022 incident. His comeback album, Based on a True Story, which dropped earlier this year, contains several references to the slap — especially on the intro track, “Int. Barbershop – Day” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff and B. Simone.
The Rock Family Responds
Chris Rock has stayed mostly silent, but his brother Tony Rock had harsh words for Smith earlier in April. Speaking to paparazzi at LAX, Tony dismissed Smith’s album as:
“A piece of shit,”
— despite admitting he hadn’t actually listened to it. He added:
“It’s a great time to be a comic.”
What’s Next?
As Will Smith attempts to reframe his image through music and reflection, moments like this freestyle show he’s not shying away from his past — even if he’s not quite ready to say Chris Rock’s name out loud.
The ball, for now, is in Rock’s court.
