Will Smith

The Will Smith Oscars Slap Has Rap Fans Re-Examining A Line From J. Cole’s ‘No Role Modelz’

by
j. cole will jada line
Getty Image

One of my absolute favorite things in hip-hop is how the timely pop culture references often evolve with the times. Some rhymes age poorly, depending on the fortunes of the celebrity or work of art they address — see practically any NBA line that isn’t about Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. Some rhymes, however, do the opposite, becoming even more exquisite as their subjects continue their careers, transforming the context and adding new layers of meaning to the originals.

Case in point: J. Cole‘s 2014 Forest Hills Drive single is currently undergoing an analytical reevaluation on Twitter thanks in large part to last night’s Academy Awards ceremony. In the song, Cole raps, “I want a real love, dark-skinned Aunt Viv love / That Jada and that Will love / That leave a toothbrush at your crib love / And you ain’t gotta wonder whether that’s your kid love.” At the time of its release, it was a fairly straightforward line evoking a wholesome romantic relationship, using Will and Jada Pinkett Smith as examples (ironic, considering the song’s title).

But after last night’s Oscars show, during which Will Smith stormed onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock for making an off-color joke about Jada’s hair (which she shaved due to alopecia, a condition that makes sufferers’ hair fall out), fans have revisited just what “that Jada and Will love” really means, knowing what we know now — which is that Will can and will put his hands on somebody for offending his wife.

Naturally, responses vary. Some say the line also aged poorly, while others have noted the degrees by which it has evolved in the months since we were all teasing them about having an open relationship (don’t hide your hand now). Although a number of celebrities have weighed in, it’s fascinating — and really, really funny — that the person who had one of the wildest takes did so years ago by total accident.

Lil Nas X Trolls The Backlash To Will Smith’s Oscars Slaps With A Nickelodeon Reference

by
lil nas x oscars
Getty Image

With so many people reacting to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, some of the takes in question were bound to be overwrought. The fact that all anyone can talk about is that one moment during the ceremony, rather than celebrating Questlove’s win for Best Documentary for his directorial debut, Summer Of Soul, is pretty much proof that all the backlash is pretty overblown. Fortunately, the agent of good chaos, Lil Nas X, had just the remedy for all the self-serious, tough-guy talk, and faux handwringing on Twitter, checking in to remind everyone just how silly all of this really is.

“y’all sitting here laughing,” he wrote. “but imagine if will smith was an average kid that no one understands mom and dad and vicky always giving him commands (bed, twerp) doom and gloom up in his room.” This is, of course, the opening of the theme song from The Fairly Oddparents, the Nickelodeon animated series in which 10-year-old Timmy Turner gets up to all sorts of magical shenanigans with his fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda. The non sequitur just throws light on how goofy it is for us all to still be talking about this 15 hours later.

Nas also took a swipe at one of the more obnoxious takes, which came from a user who somehow inserted Betty White into a hypothetical situation in which Smith smacked her or Bob Saget instead of Chris Rock. Needless to say, that account is on private now, but screenshots last forever. Lil Nas riffed on the hypothetical turning the late comedic actress into the abolitionist hero Harriet Tubman (since we’re resurrecting dead people to make doofy points now anyway). “Just a reminder that if Will Smith had built a time machine and went back in time and slapped harriet tubman as a baby for a joke she made (however insensitive), she easily could’ve fallen backward, cracked her skull and never freed slaves,” he joked. “Violence is NEVER okay.”

It’s important to remember here that not only is Chris Rock fine, he also declined to press charges and made up with Smith just hours later, according to no less a source than Sean “Diddy” Combs. The moment also may have saved the Oscars, so I’m sure even the Academy isn’t complaining too hard. Also, Harriet Tubman toted a shotgun (this is canon), so we’re sure she didn’t have any problem with violence at all.

Will Smith Partied To ‘Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It’ After Slapping Chris Rock At The Oscars

by
will smith oscars
Getty Image

Truth be told, part of what made Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during last night’s Oscars ceremony so shocking is that, since his beginnings as a rapper, Smith has put on something of a nice-guy persona. Even his biggest hit ever, “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” is a lighthearted dance floor anthem, which runs contrary to many folks’ perceptions of hardcore, mean-mugging hip-hop tough guys — even if Smith himself is from the same streets as them.

It seems, though, that even his out-of-character moment couldn’t stop him from enjoying his night after winning the award for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. After the ceremony was over, Smith attended the Vanity Fair afterparty, where he celebrated his first-ever win — and what better song to soundtrack the celebration than his massive 1997 hit?

Still, despite Will securing his first Oscar, all anyone can talk about is the moment that preceded his win. Naturally, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement condemning Smith’s actions at the ceremony, while a number of celebrities weighed in, including some of Smith’s fellow rappers, Stephen A. Smith, Rami Malek, Howard Stern, and the hosts of The View. However, according to Diddy, “it’s all love” between will and Chris Rock, who reportedly declined to press charges.

Check out the video of Smith dancing with his award to his own big hit above.

Will Smith Seen Dancing, Rapping to Hits Including “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” at Oscars Party After Slapping Chris Rock

by

50 Cent, Drake, Nicki Minaj, And More Weigh In On Will Smith’s Wild Oscars Moment

by
will smith oscars
Getty Image

Good morning. So, last night, every ounce of West Philly jumped out of Safe Black Guy Will Smith, who left fresh prints (heyo) on Chris Rock’s face during the Academy Awards after Rock made an ill-considered joke at the expense of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. In 2021, Jada revealed her ongoing struggle with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that can make a person’s hair fall out. Rock, perhaps not realizing this, remarked that Jada’s freshly-shaved head could make her a candidate to star in a G.I. Jane remake (the titular character shaves her head upon joining the US Marines).

In a video taken from an international broadcast of the ceremony, Jada’s face says it all. For Will, who has had to put up with years of jokes about the couple’s marriage, this last straw broke the camel’s back, and he strode onto the stage to make an example of Rock, slapping him across the face. Although Rock tried to play the moment off, Will shouted from his seat: “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth.” Fortunately, it seems Rock is taking things in stride, and according to Diddy, the two men had nothing but love afterward.

Obviously, those who saw the moment, whether live in person or watching at home, have thoughts about the possible overreaction, and the hot takes flew fast and furious on social media — including among Will Smith’s celebrity peers, including rappers like 50 Cent, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and more.

While 50, Drake, and others brought out the jokes, Nicki gave an empathetic — and vaguely threatening — take, expressing empathy for Jada Pinkett Smith. “Imagine what it must feel like to be losing your hair to the point where you have to shave it bald,” she wrote. “You think that’s easy to deal with for anyone? You don’t think she’s cried about that many times? 2022 y’all gon have to see these men about those jokes you made about their wives.”

Check out the responses, reactions, and hot takes below.

drake will smith reaction instagram
Instagram

Will Smith & Family Attends Oscars After-Party Following Chris Rock Slap

by
id0ft1qo will smith oscars afterparty getty 650 625x300 28 March 22

Best Actor winner Will Smith and his family didn’t let Sunday night’s shocking altercation involving Chris Rock stop them from celebrating the night’s victory at the event’s official after-party. Deadline reports, Will Smith, wife Jada Smith, son Jaden Smith, and daughter Willow Smith attended the Vanity Fair after-party, which saw the blockbuster star dancing the night away to his 1997 hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”

MORE: [WATCH] Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock During Oscars Telecast After Comedian Jokes on Jada Pinkett Smith’s Hair

Smith entered the Vanity Fair after-party at midnight at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills after not speaking with the press or Academy officials backstage after delivering his speech. Throughout the party, the Smiths took photos with the press while the actors formed a circle around the actor as the DJ played the chart-topping hit from Smith’s debut solo album, Big Willie Style.

Before winning Best Actor for his starring performance in “King Richard.” The 53-year-old stun The Academy for slapping the event’s host, Chris Rock, following the comedian hurling a joke at Smith’s wife about playing in the sequel to the classic military film G.I. Jane — starring Demi Moore, referring to her bald head. “I can’t wait to see you in ‘G.I. Jane 2,’” said Rock before Will Smith stepped to the stage and proceeded to slap him across the face.

Smith would apologize to The Academy later on in the show for his earlier actions during his touching acceptance speech. However, Chris Rock was not mentioned during the apology. Rock has yet to comment on the altercation at press time.

MORE: The Internet Reacts To Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock On Stage During 2022 Academy Awards Ceremony

The LAPD will not be investigating the altercation as Chris Rock has declined to file a complaint against Smith for the physical assault, the Los Angeles Times reports. Smith hopes The Academy invites him back to the annual ceremony next year during his speech.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” said an LAPD spokesperson in an official statement. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Following the telecast, The Academy released a statement addressing the altercation, which states: “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”

More as this story develops.

The post Will Smith & Family Attends Oscars After-Party Following Chris Rock Slap appeared first on The Source.

Drake, 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, Tiffany Haddish, and More React to Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at Oscars

by
Image via Getty/Robyn Beck/AFP

  • Tiffany Haddish

  • Nicki Minaj

  • 50 Cent

  • Judd Apatow

  • Jaden Smith

  • DaBaby

  • Offset

  • Vince Staples

  • Freddie Gibbs

  • Drake

  • Fabolous

Diddy Claims That Will Smith And Chris Rock Settled Their Beef After The Oscars Ceremony: ‘It’s All Love… They’re Brothers’

by
P Diddy Chris Rock Sean Combs 2016
Getty Image

In case you haven’t been online for the past 12 hours, what will certainly go down as one of the year’s defining pop culture events happened last night. While on stage to present the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards last night, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Will Smith, her husband, didn’t take kindly to the jab, so he got on stage, slapped Rock in the face pretty hard on live television, returned to his seat, and screamed twice, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*cking mouth!”

It was a surreal moment and now we’re left with the aftermath. On that note, it appears Rock and Smith have settled their differences and moved on: Diddy, who was in attendance, told Page Six, “That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that.” The publication noted he did not elaborate on how the two had reconciled but continued, “It’s all love. They’re brothers.”

This comes after Page Six reported, citing “sources at the Academy Awards,” that Diddy talked to both Rock and Smith and that the two had “agreed to make amends later in the evening.” Later, Smith showed up to Vanity Fair‘s Oscars party, while Rock did not, as Page Six notes. They also said of the scene, “Smith arrived after midnight and headed to the dance floor. DJ D-Nice was spinning tunes and played a number of songs by Smith as a tribute when the star and his family arrived. Smith, 53, danced and rapped along to his ’90s hits ‘Summertime,’ Miami,’ and ‘Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.’ Jada, 50, was by his side grooving on the dance floor, along with their kids Jaden, 23, and Willow, 21.”

Will Smith Revives The Oscars With Chris Rock Slap Over Jada Pinkett Joke

by

Will Smith x Chris Rock

Actor Will Smith made history twice at the 94th Academy Awards and breathed life into the floundering awards show. The planners of last night’s Oscars broadcast had their fingers crossed that this year would be the turning point for the award show that had been limping every year into irrelevance with declining ratings and viewership.  […]

The post Will Smith Revives The Oscars With Chris Rock Slap Over Jada Pinkett Joke appeared first on SOHH.com.

Diddy Confirms Will Smith and Chris Rock Made Amends After the Academy Awards

by
AAVz3OT

Diddy was the first presenter to hit the stage following Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Diddy stated they would fix the issue like a family at The Gold Party after the ceremony, he later revealed to Page Six that it was solved at the Vanity Fair event.

“That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that,” Diddy said. “It’s all love, they’re brothers.”

Page Six also notes Rock and Smith agreed to work out their issues after the ceremony. You can see where Diddy had to operate on the fly during his presentation below.

The post Diddy Confirms Will Smith and Chris Rock Made Amends After the Academy Awards appeared first on The Source.