Will Smith Admits To Copying Rakim’s Flow On “Summertime”
Long-standing speculations about who wrote the 1991 hit song “Summertime” were dispelled when Will Smith admitted that he lifted Rakim’s style. During the GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop event, Smith told Rakim that he tried to mimic his flow on the famous song on purpose.
“I was absolutely trying to sound like you on ‘Summertime,’” Smith told Ra as the two crossed paths backstage.
Will Smith explained that his choice to imitate Rakim’s monotone delivery in “Summertime” was a result of losing his voice the night before, preventing him from using his usual high-pitched tone. During the studio session, the producer suggested, “Yo, just gimme that Rakim sh*t.”
Although the song “Summertime” was sampled from Kool & the Gang’s “Summer Madness,” its creation has been contested for more than thirty years. It was released in 1991. The Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff won their second Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1992 as a result of the song’s enormous success, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Also Read: Martin Lawrence Brings Joy to 125 Underprivileged Kids in Los Angeles
Despite the song’s success, some believed it bore a striking resemblance to Rakim’s sound, which led to rumors that Ra wrote the song. Rakim, however, refuted the theory in 2016 and denied having any influence on the song’s composition.
“When they came out with it, a lot of people thought it was me because of the style he used,. “But it was one of those things where that was them. I didn’t write it. That was [all DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince].”
Produced by LL Cool J, Questlove, and Black Thought, the GRAMMY’s tribute to Hip-Hop culture included performances by Public Enemy, DJ Quik, Warren G, De La Soul, Common, Queen Latifah, Uncle Luke, E-40, Cypress Hill, T.I., Rick Ross, Big Daddy Kane, Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, and more. Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff showcased “Summertime,” “Brand New Funk,” and solo hits like “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Miami” at the event.
Will Smith Admits To Copying Rakim’s Flow On “Summertime”
