Why Hip-Hop Doesn't Respect Will Smith

Will Smith’s rap comeback has gone down as one of the biggest flops in hip-hop history. Once a Grammy-winning rapper and Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Will is now struggling to get anyone to care about his music. From his “soft” reputation in the 90s, Eminem’s brutal disses, and the endless drama surrounding Jada Pinkett and Tupac, to the infamous Oscars slap — the road to Will’s new album has been nothing short of chaotic.We’re breaking down how Will went from multiplatinum hits like “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” to dropping Based on a True Story — his first album in over 20 years — only for it to completely flop. Why did Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar refuse to feature? How did the “entanglement” scandal destroy Will’s public image? And why does hip-hop no longer respect him?This is the unfiltered story of Will Smith’s failed comeback, his messy personal life, and the industry’s brutal reaction to his mid-life rap revival.