Key takeaways:
– Will Smith is not only a revered actor but also known for his substantial contribution to the rap music industry.
– The 90s era marked the peak of Will Smith's career, where he found success both in movies and music.
– Will Smith and Eminem allegedly had a rivalry that originated in the late 90s.
– Smith's acceptance speech at the 1999 Video Music Awards ignited a verbal combat with Eminem.
– Will Smith expresses interest in returning for future Bad Boys sequels, given there is a compelling reason or storyline.
The Showdown Begins
Today we are taking a deep dive into the long-standing rivalry between two major figures in the entertainment industry—Will Smith, known for his successful acting and music career, and Eminem, an iconic rap artist. The origin of their rivalry can be traced back to the late 90s, a defining era for both stars but also the time when they reportedly shared a cold rivalry.
Acting and Music: A Dual Success For Will Smith
The 1990s proved to be a significant period for Will Smith. This era saw the actor gain major success with hit Hollywood movies including ‘Bad Boys,' ‘Men in Black,' ‘Independence Day,' and ‘Enemy of the State.' Concurrently, Smith also made his foray into the world of rap music with the release of his debut album ‘Big Willie Style' in 1997.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Smith in the spheres of music. Eminem, the burgeoning artist, had also made his entry into the rap scene with his debut album ‘Infinite' in 1996. It appears that the simultaneous emergence of two prominent figures in the same genre led to some unrest.
The Origin Of The Rivalry: A Heated Exchange
According to DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith had predicted that Eminem's song ‘Just The Two Of Us' would either be the biggest hit or the biggest flop in hip-hop history. The situation was further exacerbated when Smith won the Best Male Video award at the 1999 Video Music Awards for his song ‘Miami,' besting Eminem's ‘My Name is'. Smith, while accepting his award, took an indirect jibe at Eminem's music style, emphasizing his own refusal to use profanity or violence in his records.
Eminem's Retaliation: The Real Slim Shady
Eminem famously responded to Smith's comments in his hit song ‘The Real Slim Shady.' The lyrics “Will Smith don't gotta cuss in his raps to sell records / Well I do, so f**k him and f**k you too” manifest the rapper's frustration towards Smith's remarks and his readiness to defend his musical style.
Will Smith's Future Plans
Despite the old rivalry, Will Smith has continued to enjoy an illustrious career in both films and music. The actor recently reprised his role in the new Bad Boys sequel, ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die,' released in 2024, alongside Martin Lawrence. When asked about future films, Smith didn't rule out more sequels. He stipulated that provided there is a compelling reason or a great storyline, he would return.
In Smith's words, he doesn't want to make sequels for the sake of revenue alone, but is keen on telling new and interesting stories through these characters. In fact, ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die' turned out to be another hit for Smith and Lawrence by garnering $340 million against a $100 million budget. Fans and studio would likely look forward to more sequels given the film's success, provided the actors find it worthwhile.
The Bad Boys legacy continues with ‘Ride or Die' currently playing in theaters. Meanwhile, the past rivalry between Smith and Eminem contributes to the intriguing narrative of their careers, demonstrating their passion and dedication to their art forms.
