Will Smith's 'Fresh Prince' Rap Rules the Internet
The 'Men in Black III' star seizes audience nostalgia, creates PR magic on BBC
By Kenny Herzog May 21, 2012 8:34AM
Only Will Smith could be criticized for slapping an overseas reporter one minute and then have fans swooning over a televised rap-along the next. But, alas, that's just the sort of crisis-defying charm that get sprinkled like fairy dust from the 43-year-old actor's debonairly graying goatee.
While stopping by BBC's "The Graham Norton Show" this past weekend, the artist formerly known as DJ Jazzy Jeff's MC du jour guaranteed "Men in Black III" millions in global ticket sales by taking advantage of a golden viral-marketing opportunity. Namely, being a good sport and rapping every word of his "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme in real-time with the studio audience.
The most endearing, unscripted moment arrives when fellow "Norton" guest and UK pop artist Gary Barlow joins in and performs the song's signature synth melody, and Smith drops his composure and guffaws (and, naturally, fist-pounds with Barlow) in disbelief. And while the movie mega-star hasn't had to rely on his rhyming chops in nearly two decades, it's hard to deny that he's still got cadence and charisma. Damn him.
5Comments
May 22, 2012 7:52AM
May 22, 2012 7:45AM
Always been a fan of Will's music (he was to hip hop what Bill Cosby was to comedy - supremely creative & charismatic while staying clean in word and deed). Considering that fact, it is with a heavy heart that I must say, "You ALMOST went full-on house negro with that one, Mr. Smith." ROFLMAO I guess that's what it takes to make the flock forget that the REAL Big Willie slipped out for a hot second on the 'Red' carpet!
May 22, 2012 6:06AM
May 22, 2012 5:21AM
May 22, 2012 5:00AM
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