Nearly three years after an infamous Oscars slap almost derailed his career, Will Smith is baring his soul like never before. In two jaw-dropping new songs, the Hollywood icon is brutally honest about his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith, his struggles, and the emotional toll of the past few years. The buzzy, raw lyrics prove Smith is ready to tell his story.
Will Smith’s ‘Int. Barbershop–Day’ addresses 3-year fallout, marriage to Jada
Based on a True Story is the first Will Smith album in 20 years. Smith’s last record was 2005’s Lost and Found.
One track from the album, “Int. Barbershop — Day,” is making waves for its raw honesty about Smith’s dramatic fall from grace in Hollywood. The buzzy song features Smith’s longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, and multi-talented star B. Simone.
Rolling Stone reports that Smith doesn’t shy away from the fallout he experienced after famously slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. In the track, Smith raps, “I ain’t never gonna forgive him for the s**t that he did. I heard he down bad. I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back. And you know they only made him do that s**t because he’s black.”
Smith later says, “Him and Jada both crazy girl, what you talkin’ bout? You better keep his wife’s name out of your mouth. He need to take another year and untangle some s**t.”
The multi-hyphenate also discussed the lyrics in an Instagram video. “I really wanted to just capture the barbershop vibe of people talking about me, just all the stuff that I’ve heard. It’s based on Eddie Murphy’s barbershop scene from Coming to America.”
A second song delves deeper into Will, Jada Pinkett Smith’s marriage rumors
The album features a second song that delves deeper into the rumors surrounding Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s 28-year marriage. Smith claims he’s “back on top” after derailing his career.
In the track “You Lookin’ For Me?” Smith delves deeper into his personal life. He raps, “Jada got my DM’s hot with bodies. You decided to instigate it and now you got me, I’m motivated.”
They continue, “Took a lot, I’m back on top, y’all gon’ have to get acclimated’ Won’t stop, my s**ts still hot even though I won’t get nominated.”
“Personal life with my wife mind your business, it’s complicated. All that matters is the fact that I’m still getting compensated,” the lyrics reveal.
Pinkett Smith addressed rumors regarding the couple’s marriage in October 2023, ahead of the release of her memoir Worthy. She claimed she and Smith live separate lives, but are not officially divorced.
Will Smith won his first Oscar, later banned from all Academy events for 10 years
During the 2022 Oscars, broadcast on Mar. 27, 2022, comedian Chris Rock took the stage to present the award for Best Documentary. While on stage, Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, saying, “Jada, I love you—‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it!”
Pinkett Smith, who previously shared her struggles with alopecia, appeared unamused. After Rock’s comment, Will Smith walked up to the comedian and slapped him across the face during the live show.
As he returned to his seat, a furious Smith twice shouted at Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out your f****** mouth!” It appeared the confrontation was a skit, but it was soon evident the drama between Smith and Rock was real.
Later in the broadcast, Smith won the Best Actor Oscar for the film King Richard. In a tearful speech, he apologized to the Academy but not to Rock. The next day, Smith issued a formal apology to Rock via Instagram.
In early April 2022, the Academy subsequently banned Smith from the Oscars for 10 years but allowed him to keep his award. The entertainer later resigned from the Academy.
