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Chris Rock joked about the drama at the Academy Awards just hours after Will Smith apologized on camera to the comedian on Friday, nearly four months after Smith stormed the Oscars stage and slapped Rock live while presenting an award at the 2022 ceremony. .
While performing at Atlanta’s Fox Theater as part of his “Ego Death World Tour,” Rock compared Smith to former Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year sentence of prison after pleading no contest. to voluntary manslaughter in 2018 after a fatal confrontation in Los Angeles in 2015.
“Everybody’s trying to be a shitty victim,” Rock said, via People magazine. “If everybody says they’re a victim, then nobody’s going to listen to the real victims. Even I got hit by Suge Smith…I went to work the next day, I had kids.”
WILL SMITH OPENS UP TO CHRIS ROCK OSCARS SLAP
During the height of his career in the ’90s, Knight was known for putting West Coast rap on the map with the massive hit “The Chronic” by Dr. Dre followed by Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle” in 1993. Soon after, he helped broker. a deal to secure Tupac Shakur’s release from prison and subsequent signing to the label, with his “All Eyez on Me” released in 1996.
“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” he added, words he echoed at a previous show while on tour recently with Kevin Hart in “It’s Just allow the holders”.
Chris Rock joked that he got slapped by “Suge Smith” at the Oscars after Will Smith’s on-camera apology was released on Friday. (Getty Images)
Knight was known as much for his music as his temper, and was allegedly the ring leader in a series of violent deals. Shakur was riding in Knight’s car when he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996. A similar shooting killed Shakur’s East Coast rival The Notorious BIG in March 1997, with Knight believed to was the prime suspect. Knight had felony convictions for armed robbery and assault, and lost control of the label when it was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2009.
“I’m not a victim. Yeah, that hurt, mom, mom. But I got the shit out of it and went to work the next day. I’m not going to the hospital for a paper cut,” Rock told crowd in New Jersey last week, via Us Weekly.
Smith shared a video on YouTube answering everyone’s most asked questions, including why he didn’t apologize to Rock during his acceptance speech. After Smith took the stage and slapped Rock for telling a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, he won best actor for his role in “King Richard.”
“I was in the dark at the time,” Smith admitted of the lack of an immediate apology to Rock. “It’s all a blur.”
The late Tupac Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight were photographed in 1996. Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018. (Jeff Kravitz)
CHRIS ROCK SMITH’S OSCARS ADDRESS WHILE ON COMEDY TOUR WITH KEVIN HART: ‘I’M NOT A VICTIM’
The “Gemini Man” actor revealed that he has reached out to Rock to discuss the incident, but claimed the comedian isn’t ready to sit down with him. He also spent the 5-minute video apologizing to Rock and others, including Rose Rock.
“I want to apologize to Chris’ mom,” Smith said. “I saw an interview that Chris’s mom did and, you know, that was one of the things at the time. I didn’t realize and, you know, I wasn’t thinking, but how many people were hurt in this. moment,” the actor explained.
Rose initially said the following the slap: “When Will slapped Chris, he slapped all of us, but really me.”
“So I want to apologize to Chris’ mom,” Smith continued. “I want to apologize to Chris’ family. Specifically, Tony Rock [Chris’ younger brother]. You know, we had a great relationship. Tony Rock was my man. And that’s probably irreparable.”
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Will Smith punches Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary at the Oscars on March 27, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello)
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Rock had made a joke about “GI Jane” and referenced Jada’s bald head. Pinkett Smith has previously spoken about her struggles with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
Days later, the “Independence Day” star. announced his resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, saying he had “betrayed the Academy’s trust.”
“I have responded directly to the academy’s disciplinary hearing notice and will fully accept all consequences of my conduct,” he said.
After his resignation, which was accepted by the Academy, Smith was banned for 10 years from attending Oscar events and shows.
Fox News’ Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
Tracy Wright is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to tracy.wright@fox.com.