Will Smith Just Saved His Reputation

By slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith seriously damaged his reputation—but now it seems he may have helped repair it with a special performance on Sunday.

One of the most infamous moments in Oscars history happened in 2022 when Smith slapped Rock in retaliation for a G.I. Jane joke the comedian made about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who suffers from alopecia.

Since the incident, the Men in Black star has been a point of conversation and ridicule. Along with the fallout from the slap, Pinkett Smith's memoir Worthy, landed in October, and, partnered with press interviews, the pair's relationship was heavily questioned after it was revealed they had "separated" several years ago.

Now it seems the tide is turning in favor of Smith after his appearance at the "A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" where he performed alongside the likes of LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Questlove and a host of other hip-hop legends. It came after the incredibly popular "50 Years of 50-Hop" tribute from the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in February.

As well as having an illustrious Hollywood career, Smith was a successful rapper, with hit songs like "Switch" and "Wild Wild West." On Sunday he performed some of his most popular hits—and people are praising him online.

Newsweek reached out to Smith's publicist for comment via email Monday.

"Oh yes, there's our multi-hyphenate and beloved cultural icon Will Smith back on the stage of a major TV network a year later. You can't cancel immortal, generational & redemptive talent, folks," one person posted on X, formerly Twitter.

"Look at Will Smith at the #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50. You just can't cancel a legend. Cheers and Happy Holidays, Will," wrote another.

"Watching DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince on #50yearsofHipHop and if Will Smith needs to rehabilitate his rep, he and Jazz should go on tour. This is great," a third person posted on the social media platform.

A fourth added: "Will Smith having this moment is absolutely perfect. A legend. A talent. An artist. #GRAMMYSaluteHipHop50."

"This is the happiest I've seen Will Smith in the last 10 years. It's like he came home," said another.

Smith was reunited with DJ Jazzy Jeff—the pair were once a hip-hop duo called DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince—for a medley of both solo and collaborative hits.

Questlove, drummer for hip-hop band The Roots, provided a stellar introduction to the duo, who became the first hip-hop act in history to win a Grammy in 1989 with their song "Parents Just Don't Understand."

"In a year and a night full of hip-hop moments, this is a big one. I grew up idolizing these two from my hometown of Illadelpho. They were the first artist to ever receive a Grammy award for hip-hop," Questlove said.

"Back then, they weren't invited to perform or accept their award on camera, which led to the hip-hop community sitting things out that year. But thankfully, a year later, their hip-hop invitation did show up and they did become the first hip-hop group to ever perform at the Grammy Awards," he said. "And tonight, as a fan, as a friend, from way back in Philly, let's welcome to the Grammy stage, the incomparable, the amazing, the legendary, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince!"

The pair kicked things off with the song "Brand New Funk," a cut off their 1988 sophomore album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper. Smith performed his hits "Gettin' Jiggy With It," "Miami" and a rendition of the theme song to his TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." The pair concluded with "Summertime," which won them their second Grammy in 1992 for best rap performance by a duo or group.

Smith is set to reprise his I Am Legend role for a sequel that is in development, despite his character being killed off in the 2007 film.