During CBS’ A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop, Will Smith admitted to imitating Rakim on his 1991 hit single “Summertime” with DJ Jazzy Jeff. In a backstage conversation with Rakim, Will confessed that he was intentionally trying to sound like the legendary rapper on the iconic track.
“I was absolutely trying to sound like you on ‘Summertime,'” Will said, explaining that he had been straining his voice all night and couldn’t achieve the desired tone. The producer suggested, “‘Just gimme that Rakim shit.'”
This revelation sheds light on a long-discussed rumor in hip-hop circles that Rakim may have ghostwritten “Summertime” for Will Smith. However, Rakim debunked this speculation in a 2016 interview with HipHopDX, clarifying that he and Eric B. had sampled the song but that “Summertime” was written by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
“It was ironic that me and Eric B. had sampled it, and we had it ready to go,” Rakim said. “But when they came out with it, a lot of people thought it was me because of the style [Will] used. But it was one of those things where that was them. I didn’t write it. That was Will and Jeff.”
Rakim elaborated that “Summertime” was a song Will Smith had on the back burner, and although they considered using it, they decided the timing wasn’t right for their own projects. The track went on to become a major hit for DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The backstage interaction between Will Smith and Rakim was captured in a seven-minute behind-the-scenes clip of the CBS special, featuring appearances by DJ Red Alert, Chance the Rapper, Queen Latifah, and more. The revelation adds an interesting historical note to the acclaimed hip-hop collaboration.
