HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Actor Will Smith attends the Centerpiece Gala Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Concussion" during AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 10, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
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Will Smith To Rakim: 'I Was Absolutely Trying To Sound Like You On 'Summertime''

Will Smith To Rakim: 'I Was Absolutely Trying To Sound Like You On 'Summertime''

Published Wed, December 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM EST

Over the years, there's been speculation about Rakim being the pen behind DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's massive forever hit, "Summertime." Rakim cleared that up years ago, he absolutely didn't write it (even though at one time he was considering using the track himself along with Eric B.) but Will Smith did admit that The God MC was a major inspiration for the song.

Smith shared backstage footage of him getting prepared for his historic performance during A Grammy Salute To Hip-Hop, and admitted that he was definitely trying to sound like Rakim on the laidback song.

“‘Cause I had been screaming all night, and I couldn’t get my ‘happy-go-lucky’ high voice,” he laughingly told Rakim as they hung out backstage during the show. “And [the producer] just said, ‘Yo, just gimme that Rakim shit.’”

Check out the moment, and Smith's entertaining recap below.

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