Will Smith admits he was trying to bite Rakim’s style on ‘Summertime’

Will Smith was inspired by Rakim

Will Smith is best known as a rapper for his smash “Summertime” with DJ Jazzy, back when he was known as Fresh Prince. He recently gave Rakim his credit for influencing the record.

“I was absolutely trying to sound like you on ‘Summertime,'” Smith told Rakim in a clip. “I had been screaming all night and I couldn't get my happy-go-lucky high voice and Hula said, ‘Yo just give me that Rakim s###.'”

This is great — Will Smith finally tells Rakim he was trying to sound like him on "Summertime"

For years the urban legend was that Rakim ghostwrote the song for Will, when in fact, it was written by the legendary MC Juice & recorded at the old Jive Records studios in Chicago pic.twitter.com/0hCQ3c3axh

— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) December 12, 2023

Rakim has been getting a lot of praise from hip hop stakeholders. Just recently, Ed Lover praised him for influencing the likes of Jay-Z, Nas, and Biggie.