Juicy J Recalls Will Smith Shading Three 6 Mafia After Oscar Win

Popular Memphis rap veteran Juicy J recently shared a memorable encounter with legendary rapper and actor Will Smith, shedding light on a humorous exchange that occurred after Three 6 Mafia secured their first Oscar win in 2006.

Juicy J made a guest appearance on Allison Interviews, where he delved into the backstory of the amusing encounter with Will Smith in intricate detail.

“[Will Smith] ran up, he was like, ‘Man, I’m just mad ’cause y’all got one before me,'” Juicy J recounted. He then expressed how he wasn’t entirely certain if Will Smith was joking, given the context of their interaction.

Juicy J’s initial reaction to meeting the multi-talented entertainer was one of admiration and respect, as he shared, “First of all, when I seen him, I was like, ‘I grew up listening to your music, man. It’s an honor to meet you.’ And he shook my hand, but he was like, ‘Man, what the hell? Y’all got one before me?'”

He continued to explain, “And like I said, he could have been joking. He’s a comedian too. But I didn’t take it like that because I’m thinking people are gonna be like, ‘Congratulations.’ But he didn’t say that.”

The Oscar in question was awarded to Three 6 Mafia for Best Original Song in recognition of their contribution to the soundtrack of the film “Hustle & Flow” with the track “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp.”

In a twist of fate, Will Smith would go on to win an Oscar of his own in 2022, receiving acclaim for his role in the 2021 film “King Richard.” However, his triumphant moment was marred by an incident where he slapped comedian Chris Rock.

The altercation took place during the Oscars ceremony when Chris Rock made a joke about Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her experience with alopecia. In response, Will walked onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face, before returning to his seat and admonishing Rock to refrain from mentioning Jada’s name.

While reflecting on Three 6 Mafia’s influence and legacy, Juicy J recently made the case for the group being among the greatest of all time. He highlighted their enduring relevance, pointing out that their music continues to be sampled and remade by artists worldwide.

Juicy J’s assertion finds support in Three 6 Mafia’s pioneering contributions to the music landscape, particularly in popularizing the triplet flow later embraced by Migos. Their influence extends to some of today’s leading producers, notably Metro Boomin.

The group’s music has been sampled in numerous instances over the years, including the recent use of their track “Jealous Ass Bitch” in Offset and Cardi B’s single “Jealousy.” This ongoing recognition further underscores Three 6 Mafia’s enduring impact on the music industry.

Juicy J’s recollection of the humorous interaction with Will Smith provides a glimpse into the world of iconic artists and the unique moments that shape their journeys in the entertainment industry.