Will Smith Jokes About the Oscars and His Family on New Album: “You’d Better Keep His Wife’s Name Out of Your Mouth”

Will Smith’s New Album Commentary

Will Smith humorously addressed his infamous slap at the Oscars involving Chris Rock in his new album titled *Based on a True Story*.

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This record, his first full-length project in two decades, was released yesterday (March 28).

Album Insights and Lyrics

From the outset of the first track, *int. Barbershop*, the narrative begins with the phrase: “Will Smith is canceled,” before Smith’s collaborators, Jazzy Jeff and B. Simon, interject with trademarked remarks such as, “Damn, who does Smith think he is?” and “I will never forgive him for that sh*t he did.”

He also addresses the Oscar incident more directly with lyrics: “I heard that he won an Oscar, but he had to return it / and you know that they only made him do this sh*t because he is black.”

The song later references Smith’s infamous reaction to Rock’s joke with the line: “He and Jada are both crazy, girl, what are you talking about? / You better keep his wife’s name in your mouth.”

The Oscar Controversy Explained

Smith found himself embroiled in controversy after confronting Rock on stage during the 2022 Oscars. Rock had made a comment regarding Jada Pinkett Smith, joking that he couldn’t wait to see her in “G.I. Jane 2” due to her shaved head.

Following Rock’s remark, Smith charged onto the stage and slapped him, returning to his seat shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth.”

Prior to the album’s release, Smith collaborated on tracks like “Beautiful Scars,” “You Can Do This,” “A Work of Art” featuring his son Jaden, and “Tanutrum” with Joyner Lucas.

Additionally, Smith has announced his first world tour, which will include shows in the UK and Europe this summer.

He is set to headline numerous European festivals as well as his own concerts in Hamburg, Hannover, and Frankfurt.

In August, he will perform in the UK at venues including the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Cardiff’s Cooper’s Field, Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, the O2 Academy Brixton in London, and at halls in Wolverhampton.

Smith is expected to conclude his upcoming tour with a performance at Zénith in Paris on September 2. Tickets for his UK dates can be purchased here.