One of DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Price’s biggest hits may have been called “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
However, in the wake of Will Smith‘s Oscar incident and the criticism Smith’s actions have received, his former collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff believes critics of the incident are the ones who may not understand, in this case!
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Smith- who was then known as the Fresh Prince- were partners in a hip-hop duo in the late 1980’s, and they had several hits to their name.
Jeff, now 57, remained on good terms with Smith throughout the years, and he recently weighed in on his friend’s recent Oscar’s controversy, and spoke out against critics of Smith’s actions.
What DJ Jazzy Jeff Had To Say
During last month’s Oscars ceremony, Smith memorably walked up on stage after comedian and his long-time acquaintance Chris Rock, had made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith‘s hairstyle. Pinkett Smith, 50, suffers from alopecia, and has been extremely open about her experience.
Rock’s brother Kenny maintains his older brother did not know about Pinkett Smith’s condition, and he believes Chris would not have gone forward with making the joke, The Blast recently reported.
“The joke was funny,” Rock said, “It wasn’t hilariously funny, but I know that if [Chris] knew she had alopecia, he wouldn’t have made a joke about that. But he didn’t know.”
DJ Jazzy Jeff, for his part, was quick to defend Smith’s character.
Jeff maintained Smith’s decision to slap Rock “Was a lapse in judgement.”
According to People, Jeff made his comments via an Instagram video.
He also added, “Don’t get it twisted it was something [Smith] was proud of…”
Having known Smith for many years, Jeff has a pretty good idea of how his friend generally approaches tough situations.
“I think the thing that I’ve realized is I don’t know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgement than him. I can name 50 times that he should’ve smacked the s— out of somebody, and he didn’t. So for him to have a lapse in judgement, he’s human. And I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don’t think people like that are human,” Jeff concluded.
Other Celebs Worry About The Incident’s Long-Term Effects
Jeff isn’t the only close collaborator of Smith’s who is wary of the criticism he has received since the ceremony on March 27th.
David Oyelowo recently penned an essay reflecting on the incident for The Hollywood Reporter.
Per The Blast’s report about the essay, Oyelowo wrote “The moment I realized the nature of what had just occurred on the stage at the Doby Theatre, I was confronted by the same rising anxiety all Black people feel when the face that flashes up on the news after a crime is reported, is a Black one. You find yourself thinking, ‘What does this mean for us?’ ‘What does this mean for me?’
The effects surrounding the incident and how it may be seen as an example for determining future preventive measures and how they may be taken will, of course, will be determined overtime, but The Academy recently took a step in prevention, by banning Smith from attending Academy events for a decade.
Smith, who has also previously apologized for the incident, says he “Accept[s] and respects the Academy’s decision.”
