Tony Rock isn’t mincing words when it comes to Will Smith’s return to music.
The comedian and younger brother of Chris Rock called out Smith’s new album Based On A True Story, branding it “trash” and criticizing the actor for continuing to reference the infamous Oscars slap in his music.
“Will Smith has an album out and it’s a piece of sh*t and he addresses the Oscars,” Tony told TMZ.
“Everybody keeps telling me to stop talking about [the Oscars], but then he f**king puts it on a song. So that gives me leeway to talk about it again. Album’s trash. I’m just assuming. I haven’t listened to it. I refuse to listen to it.”
He added sarcastically:
“This album is probably shtty as f**k because I haven’t heard anything about it other than, ‘Oh, he addresses your brother.’ If that’s the only selling point, that’s a shtty album.”
A Family Still Feeling the Fallout
This isn’t the first time Tony Rock has spoken out about the 2022 Oscars incident, where Will Smith slapped his brother Chris Rock on live television. During a recent stand-up set at the Funny Bone in Virginia, Tony made it clear he hasn’t let go of the moment.
“I have to get Will Smith. Oh yeah. Y’all thought that sht was over? That sht ain’t f**king over. I’m just laying low right now… The Oscars right around the corner, we ain’t forget,” he told the crowd.
“Don’t nobody hit my brother but me. And even I got to clear that sh*t with mommy first.”
Will Smith Responds Through Music
Based On A True Story, which dropped in March, marks Will Smith’s first album in 20 years. The project includes several references to the Oscars controversy and features collaborations with Big Sean, Joyner Lucas, Teyana Taylor, Russ, and Jaden Smith.
On the track “Int. Barbershop – Day”, Smith addresses the backlash head-on:
“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 sh*t because he’s Black.”
And on “You Lookin For Me?”, he raps:
“Took a lot, I’m back on top, y’all gon’ have to get acclimated / Won’t stop, my sh*t still hot even though I won’t get nominated.”
While Smith appears to be using his music to process the fallout, Tony Rock isn’t ready to move on — and clearly isn’t buying the redemption arc.
