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The Game has defended Will Smith and compared his treatment to Alec Baldwin's in a scathing criticism of Hollywood.
The rapper called for Smith to get to keep his Best Actor Oscar as the Academy confirmed it is assessing the situation, with questions remaining over whether he will be stripped of his award.
The Game—whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor—is one of many celebrities weighing-in on the now infamous incident at the Oscars on Sunday night when Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock across the face for making a joke about his wife.
"He acted off impulse & imposed a slap down out of frustration & embarrassment on behalf of his wife," the "Eazy" hitmaker said in a lengthy Instagram post.
Jada Pinkett Smith has been open about her experience with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss and Rock joked about her starring in a G.I. Jane sequel.
"Most people with opinions on the situation don't have a committed relationship let alone a marriage of over 20 years to weigh against his feelings in the matter," The Game said. "He's human & comedy is not always an excuse to publicly humiliate people especially while sitting front & center. Although violence anywhere is & should always be depicted in a negative light, this was a lul ass slap in defense of a woman battling a very delicate health issue."
The rapper went on to condemn the Academy for seeking disciplinary proceedings against Smith and compared his treatment to Baldwin's.
In October, Baldwin fatally shot dead cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the Rust film set while practicing for a scene in which he drew a gun. Baldwin has been named in several lawsuits and faced a media frenzy for months following the tragedy.
"They don't want us to be equal, never have & never will," the rapper said. "This fool Alec Baldwin took a woman's life on set & got sympathy from the same Hollywood that is trying to condemn one of our greatest actors in history. It just so happens that he's black !!!!"
Newsweek has contacted Baldwin's representatives for comment.
The rapper then went on to name Harvey Weinstein and Roman Polanski as examples of disgraced public figures who were not stripped of their Academy Awards.
"Harvey Weinstein didn't have to forfeit any accolades or awards & Roman Polanski was guilty of having sex with a minor & then vanished, became a fugitive & was still given an award," The Game said.
The Academy has said that Smith was asked to leave Sunday night's event after slapping Rock but "refused."
"Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated," the Academy said in a statement. "We also recognize we could have handled the situation differently."
It was confirmed that action may be taken at its next board meeting on April 18, which could include "suspension, expulsion or other sanctions."
