On this date 29 years ago, Gusto and the gang shows us what gangsta Hip-Hop is all about.
In 1993, Chris Rock, Allen Payne and Charlie Murphy gave their own take of how things go down behind the scenes with gangsta rappers vs. real-life gangsters in the comedy flick CB4. Directed by and starring Rock, CB4 was a parody that pokes fun at “the world’s most dangerous group” N.W.A. and features several Hip Hop notables including Ice-T, Ice Cube, Flavor Flav and the late Eazy-E.
Murphy, who played the role of “Gusto”, is a certified “G’ who is “three generations deep in gangsterdom.” Rock, who plays up and coming rapper Albert Brown from “LoCash” California, jack Gusto’s gangster look, background and persona, becoming MC Gusto after the “gangsta” Gusto went to prison. The group that Rock’s character formed, who were called CB4, which stood for gangsta Gusto’s prison location ‘Cell Block 4″, took the rap world by storm until reality hit; Gusto gets out of jail.
Salute to Rock, Charlie Murphy (RIP), Allen Payne and even Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, who was the rapper for CB4’s hits “Straight Outta LoCash” and “Sweat From My Balls.” CB4 is definitely a comedic learning tool and will forever be a piece of Hip-Hop history!
Will Smith is working hard to get his career back on track. Ever since the public incident at the 2022 Oscars awards show, people have been hesitant to work with him. At last year’s ceremony, Smith approached the stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face in front of the entire audience. The violent act was in response to Chris Rock making an offensive joke about Smith’s wife. Immediately following the exchange, Smith was promptly criticized and blacklisted by many.
As a result of all of the chaos, the rest of 2022 was a quiet one for Smith’s career. One year later, he is hopeful that his upcoming projects will allow him to turn over a new leaf. The actor, who chose to remain nearly radio silent last year, has two new movies in the works. He will star in both Bad Boys 4 and Fast and Loose. Originally, Fast and Loose was scheduled to begin production at the start of 2022. After the slap, the project took a break to let the tension around Smith settle down.
Will Smith’s Earnings For “Bad Boys 4” And “Fast And Loose”
Both of Will Smith’s upcoming films will be action movies, a genre the actor specializes in. Timing is everything, and Smith is making a wise choice by announcing his future projects so close to the anniversary of the Oscars. The legend will also be receiving $50 million total for both movies, at $25 million per film. Smith is not the only person speaking up about the Oscars incident. Chris Rock recently made a jab at the man who assaulted him during his recent Netflix comedy special. It is safe to assume Rock is not too excited to see Smith come back to the big screen.
Fans of Smith, however, are eager to see what lies in store for the previously outcasted actor. Many people are still in support of the man who was offended on his wife’s behalf. Regardless of the giant stain on the actor’s professional career, it is likely he will continue to be successful with his new work. Tune back in after the 2023 Oscars ceremony to see any new drama that may occur.
After receiving a 10-year ban from the Academy, actor Will Smith will be breaking an Oscars tradition. The 54-year-old actor, who won his first Oscar at the 94th event last year, is leaving the Academy in a dilemma as to who will present the Best Actress award. For decades, the Oscars has kept a tradition of having the previous Best Actor winner present to the current year’s winner for Best Actress. During the award show last year, Smith famously hit host Chris Rock with a slap when the latter had picked on Smith’s wife with one of his jokes.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: Will Smith accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for ‘King Richard’ onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Equally, some are wondering if this year’s Oscars host, Jimmy Kimmel, will feel free to make do with the audience or if he’ll travel outside the event hall for his jokes. How free will Kimmel be to allow his mouth to lighten up the occasion?
Although he won the Best Actor category, Will Smith will not be handing the award to any of the Best Actress nominees, which include Michelle Yeoh and Cate Blanchett. Bill Kramer, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) CEO hinted at precautions being taken to curb any such occurrences in the coming weekend during an interview with Time Magazine. “Because of the slap last year, we’ve opened our minds to the many things that can happen at the Oscars,” he said. The Emancipation star isn’t just inspiring a crisis team, but also stopping a longtime tradition.
For now, The Academy hasn’t mentioned who will be replacing Will Smith to present the Best Actress award this Sunday, leaving a handful of Oscars fans wondering. How do you think the academy will work around Smith’s absence? Let us know in the comment section below.
Chris Rock’s new stand-up special “Selective Outrage” was recently released on Netflix and the comedian used the show as an opportunity to fully respond to getting slapped in the face by Will Smith one year ago.
What Happened Between Chris Rock and Will Smith?
At the 94th Annual Academy Awards last year on March 27th, Chris Rock was slapped by Will Smith after referring to Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, as “G.I. Jane” in reference to her bald haircut. Pinkett Smith has been public about her years-long struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss, and Pinkett Smith did not seem to receive the joke in jest, as she rolled her eyes at the joke.
However, Pinkett Smith’s husband, Will Smith, went one step further, as in a moment that has been covered and documented by every media source since it took place, he slapped Chris Rock in the face. Since the incident, Smith has publicly apologized to Rock numerous times and also will face a ten year ban from the Academy Awards.
While Will Smith has been public about his regret for slapping Rock, the comedian has been quiet about the subject until now. While Chris Rock has joked about the incident a few times during comedy shows, “Selective Outrage” proves to be the moment Rock chose to air out all of his grievances and feelings toward Will Smith. Rock joked about many other topics in the special. But its ultimate purpose seems to be a response to Smith, and Rock did not hold back.
This special is also Netflix’s first experiment in live entertainment. The show was broadcast globally without edits and little to no rehearsal. This was seen when Chris Rock botched a key part of one of his jokes. Rather than starting over, he was forced to give his attention to the mistake and move forward.
The live aspect of the special gave an electric sense of realness to Rock’s performance. This further ignited Chris Rock’s impassioned feelings about Will Smith. Delivered with a fierceness, Rock referred to Will as “Suge Smith” in reference to “Suge Knight”, the former CEO of Death Row Records who is currently incarcerated for manslaughter.
Chris Rock also alluded to the idea that Smith was letting out his anger towards his wife Jada on him, due to Jada’s public reveal of an ‘entanglement’ she had with August Alsina in 2020. In the special, Rock stated, “She hurt him way more than he hurt me”. Rock also referred to the slap as “some bitch-ass shit”. He explained that Will Smith is much larger than him and does movies with his shirt off. He jokes, “If I’m in a movie getting open heart surgery, I’ve got on a sweater.”
Rock ended the special with a question he was asked a few times after the incident. “‘Chris how come you didn’t do nothing back that night?’ Cause I got parents, because I was raised,’” he said. “You know what my parents told me? Don’t fight in front of white people.” It appears that Rock said everything he wanted to say during “Selective Outrage”. A source stated that the comedian is “ready to move on”. In response to this, Will Smith called the special “distasteful” and “below the belt” and said “he’s embarrassed and hurt”.
The special is still available on Netflix and is currently on Netflix’s Top-10 most popular list. The special has been called “emotional, messy, and fierce” as well as “self-deprecating and funny”. The 95th Annual Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 12th. It appears that the discourse from last year’s show is not over. The internet is once again buzzing due to Chris Rock’s “Selective Outrage”.
You may have heard that Netflix recently livestreamed Chris Rock’s new special, Selective Outrage. You may also be aware that the standup comic used the latter third of the special to absolutely ream Will and Jada Pinkett Smith over the slapping incident at last year’s Academy Awards. During that extended bit, Rock — who loves to name-check rappers in his act — cited the controversial hip-hop podcast Drink Champs as one of the reasons Smith was so angry at him that he resorted to violence over Rock’s jokes about Jada.
“Everybody called him a bitch and who did he hit? Me!” Rock complained, apparently including Drink Champs, which did discuss rumors that Jada had an extended “entanglement” with singer August Alsina (she even coined that phrase on an episode of her own podcast, Red Table Talk). However, the hosts want it made clear that they never called Will anything of the sort. In their latest episode preview on Instagram, NORE, DJ EFN, and guest Joe Budden discussed Selective Outrage and the shout-out their show got.
In the clip, NORE asks EFN, “You called Will Smith a bitch?” to which his co-host emphatically replies, “No, man! That was you! Nah, nah. Nobody here called him a bitch.” After playing the Rock joke, Budden offered his view, “I don’t agree with anything he did, but I’m not calling another man a bitch. I’m not going to do that, but Chris Rock said y’all did that, Drink Champs.” For what it’s worth, he has a point there; he just makes “careless” jokes about Megan Thee Stallion’s shooting, asks inane questions about Isaiah Rashad’s sexuality, and hashes out accusations of abuse and sexual harassment. But he doesn’t call men “bitches.” Round of applause for Joe.
The Drink Champs hosts seemed enthused about the reference, though. “I love the way he named us, because he put us in the rapper category,” said NORE, giving his signature catchphrase: “Let’s make some noise for Chris Rock, God damn it!”
You can stream Selective Outrage now on Netflix and watch the Drink Champs preview clip above.
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley slammed Chris Rock on air earlier this week as the “rudest man” he ever interviewed. The comments came following the release of Rock’s latest stand-upcomedy special for Netflix, Selective Outrage.
“I’m not defending what happened to him, it’s wrong, completely wrong. But in 50 years in this game, he is the rudest man I’ve ever had to interview, Chris Rock,” Madeley said, referring to the infamous Oscars slap. He then recalled how he spoke with Rock alongside Ben Stiller while they were promoting the 2005 film, Madagascar. “I have to say, it stands out in my memory. He was just consistently unbelievably rude. A thoroughly unpleasant piece of work.” He joked: “I didn’t smack him though, I kept my hands to himself.” His co-host remarked that they should try to bring Rock on the show to address the incident, to which Madeley agreed.
“Selective Outrage” Billboard
HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 08: General view of a Netflix billboard above the Sunset Strip promoting Chris Rock’s controversial comedy special ‘Selective Outrage’ on March 08, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
As for his comedy special, Chris Rock touched on several headline-grabbing topics throughout his time on stage. Perhaps most notably, Rock finally fired back at Will Smith for slapping him at the Oscars in 2022. In doing so, he brought up Jada Pinkett Smith’s infamous “entanglement” with August Alsina. “We all been cheated on. Everybody in here has been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television,’ Rock said, referring to the episode of Red Table Talk in which the couple discusses the affair.
After the special aired, Page Six reported that August Alsina enjoyed the jokes about his romance with Jada Pinkett Smith; however, a representative for the singer later denied the story. “Mr. Alsina has not seen Chris Rock’s special at all, as he’s been busy on tour,” the rep said. Elsewhere in Selective Outrage, Smith joked about his daughter’s school as well as Meghan Markle’s accusations against the British royal family, and more.
The arrival of Selective Outrage has been a firestorm, as Chris Rock unleashed on his foe, Will Smith. The comedian took a moment or two to target the man who slapped him during last year’s Oscars. It was an embarrassing encounter for both superstars, but initially, people felt more sympathy for Rock. Now, audiences are divided regarding their support, even more so after Rock’s latest comedy special premiered.
Pop culture has been dissecting Selective Outrage and all of Rock’s jabs. As expected, he went after the Smiths, mentioning their entanglement with August Alsina and even referring to Will as “Suge.” In the special, Rock also gave Drink Champs a shout-out by joking that the outlet called Smith a “b*tch.” It wasn’t missed on Noreaga and DJ EFN, but they took to their platform to set the record straight.
Respect For Will Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Rock and Will Smith at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
“This is brand-spankin’ new. Chris Rock—you call Will Smith a b*tch?” Nore asked EFN, who immediately denied saying anything of the sort. After pointing the finger at each other, EFN and Nore clarified that no one referred to the actor as a “b*tch.” Even guest Joe Budden chimed in to say, “It certainly wasn’t me.” He added, “I don’t agree with nothing he did, but I’m not gon’ call another man a b*tch. I’m not gon’ do that.” Then he joked, “But! If Chris Rock said y’all did that that, Drink Champs…”
As the trio laughs through their chat, the world continues to discuss the slap heard ’round the world. All sorts of reports from outlets speaking with “sources” have popped up in recent days. Selective Outrage has thrust the scandal back into the spotlight, and there are reports that Smith and Rock still haven’t spoken. Smith has repeatedly publicly apologized to his former friend and Rock’s family, but it doesn’t look as if it is enough.
Social media timelines were flooded with people telling Chris Rock he needed to let his hurt go. However, his comedy peers like D.L. Hughley and Leslie Jones have come to his defense, telling the public that comedy is how he works through the controversy.
Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage special featured a portion of jokes targeting Will Smith. One of which compared Smith to Death Row Records frontman Suge Knight, dubbing the Oscar-winning actor “Suge Smith.”
[NEW] Chris Rock Hits Back At Will Smith and Jada In Netflix Special
Clip 1 – Watch what you say; words hurt You never
Clip 2 – Now, I watch Emancipation, just to see him whooped
Speaking on TMZ, Suge’s son, Suge J. Knight, thinks it’s cool to hear his dad’s name remains in popular culture.
“We all know Suge Knight as that guy who’s all about that action. Whatever he does, he going to do that. It’s funny to see that Suge has been in jail for a minute but he still has this legendary status. It’s just dope.”
Knight’s son stated his dad would enjoy the joke but recognize they aren’t like him. Ultimately, he overall wasn’t thrilled by the special. You can hear it from him below.
The Oscars slap is once again the topic of conversation, a year after it happened. This time, the moment is thrust back into headlines after Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage Netflix special.
During the closing moments of the special, Rock spoke about the slap, stating Jada Pinkett Smith was the reason for all of the problems in Will Smith’s life, citing the entanglement issues, a 2016 issue between her and Rock over that year’s Oscars, and more.
In an update to PEOPLE, a source close to Pinkett Smith stated she had no hand in the tension between Rock and her husband.
“Jada has had no part in all of this other than being heckled,” the source said. “Chris is obsessed with her and that’s been going on for almost 30 years.”
The source added, “Look where he chose to film his Netflix special. Her hometown. Obsessed.”
“Back in 2016 she helped start a movement with the Academy Awards by questioning why there are so few Black members, and Chris took it to this?” the source adds.
The 2016 mention is where Rock states Pinkett Smith suggested he quit his hosting position due to Will Smith’s Concussion snub. The source also shoots down that thought.
“She never asked Chris to not host the Oscars ever. She publicly said in a Facebook post at the time Chris would be a great Oscars host and is perfect for the job.”
The special is currently streaming in full on Netflix.
