Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty
For decades there have been rumors that the iconic Rakim Allah was the ghostwriter behind the Will Smith classic 'Summertime'. Although those rumors were eventually shot down, Will Smith was finally able to address a different claim about his enduring success.
Earlier this week, Will Smith put on a show for the ages staged at his Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop event in which he performed some of his classics, including the aforementioned “Summertime.” But the real shocker came after the show when he admitted that Rakim was the inspiration behind his sound on the Grammy-winning song.
In a video posted online, we find Will Smith kicking it in a hotel room with fellow Hip-Hop and other industry insiders talking about the show. A Rakim Allah was also present when Will Smith finally told God what we've all been wondering for decades: “I was totally trying to look like you in 'Summertime.'
With everyone, including Rakim, bursting into laughter, Smith explained why he took this route in the song saying: “Because I was screaming all night and I couldn't get my voice to be 'happy' and hula [the producer] he just said, “Yo, just give that Rakim shit.”
And a classic was born.
Rakim found the whole story amusing as he couldn't stop smiling (perhaps the first time we saw God smile in his life). Now we all know for sure that even though Rakim didn't write the song (he denied writing the song years ago), the rap legend was the inspiration behind Will Smith's biggest song of his life.
Check out Will Smith talking about the song at the 2:40 minute mark below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
