Will Smith has been one of the biggest names in the industry and in addition to being a bankable star, the actor is also a great dramatic performer. The actor has starred in some of the most popular franchises and cult films that have garnered him various accolades.
In addition to films, Smith has a successful career in rap music and has even released four studio albums. In the late 90s, Smith reportedly butted heads with rising rapper Eminem, even taking a dig at him at an award event. Eminem famously hit back at the Hollywood star with his hit song The Real Slim Shady.
Will Smith Got A Taste of His Own Medicine With Eminem’s The Real Slim Shady
The 90s was a seminal era for Will Smith as he became a major Hollywood movie star with hits like Bad Boys, Men in Black, Independence Day, and Enemy of the State. The actor became a force to be reckoned with and was poised to be the next big thing in the industry. Additionally, he also pursued a career in rap music with his debut album Big Willie Style released in 1997.
Another emerging artist in the rap scene was Eminem who released his debut album Infinite a year prior in 1996. It seems that Smith and Eminem had a bit of a tussle as contemporaries in the same genre. According to DJ Jazzy Jeff, the rivalry between the two may have started when Smith heard Eminem’s Just The Two Of Us and predicted that it would either be the biggest hit or flop in hip-hop history (via LadBible).
Later on, when Smith threw shade at Eminem at the 1999 Video Music Awards, where his song Miami won over Eminem’s My Name is in the Best Male Video award category. In his acceptance speech, the Bad Boys star made an indirect dig at Slim Shady by stating that he never killed anyone or used any profanities in his music (which Eminem frequently does) to reach the top. He said (via Instagram),
To all my fans out there, I never killed nobody in none of my records. I never used no profanity and none of my records, and still, I managed to get up here. Peace.
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Eminem clearly did not take this lightly and he dissed Smith directly in his 2000 hit The Real Slim Shady as one verse goes “Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records / Well I do, so f**k him and f**k you too”. The song perfectly encapsulated how the rapper won’t stand any kind of nonsensical criticisms aimed at him.
Will Smith Is Open To More Bad Boys Films As Long As There Is A Great Reason
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence recently returned to the Bad Boys franchise with 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The film is the fourth film in the franchise and the two stars still have the charm and energy to instill interest from fans. When asked about whether he would like to return for more films, Smith stated that as long as there is a great reason/ story, he will be back.
The King Richard star claimed that he does not want to do sequels just for cash-grab. He only makes a sequel when he believes that the film and the characters have something new and interesting to say. The actor told Entertainment Weekly,
So, as long as there’s a reason — I never wanted to be one of those dudes who makes sequels just because people will go. I want to make them because there is something to say and the characters have a place that they’re developing to that will be interesting and fun to watch and maybe even a little helpful.
The latest Bad Boys film has turned out to be another hit for both Smith and Lawrence. The film has so far earned $340 million against a $100 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). The studio would likely be interested in making at least one more film due to this success and it remains to be seen if both actors are up to the task.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is currently playing in theatres.
