Remember Kendrick Lamar’s iconic “Heart Part 5” music video from May 2022? It featured some pretty striking deepfakes, including one of Jussie Smollett. Now, years later, Smollett is finally sharing his thoughts on being digitally transformed for the visual, and his reaction might surprise you!
No Hard Feelings for Kendrick
In a recent interview with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, Jussie Smollett was asked if he harbored any resentment towards Kendrick Lamar for using his likeness in the deepfake. Smollett’s response was refreshingly straightforward: “I love Kendrick Lamar.” He questioned why he would have an issue with the artist, especially since they don’t know each other personally.
While Newton suggested Lamar might have understood Smollett’s situation, Smollett remained unfazed. “I don’t know what Kendrick meant by the video… So, I respect him as an artist and that’s about as far as it can go,” he stated, adding with a laugh that he wouldn’t be releasing any diss tracks.
The Deepfake Context
For those who might need a refresher, Kendrick Lamar’s “Heart Part 5” video, created with the help of DEEP VOODOO (the studio behind South Park’s deepfakes), featured him embodying various polarizing figures. Alongside Kobe Bryant, Kanye West, and O.J. Simpson, Smollett appeared in the visual, which dropped just months after he was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct counts related to his 2019 arrest for allegedly staging a hate crime in Chicago.
The video sparked discussion, but Smollett seems unfazed by the external noise and jokes surrounding his past legal troubles. He mentioned that such commentary was the “least of my concerns.”
Settlement with the City of Chicago
Adding to the recent news, it was reported in May that Jussie Smollett reached a settlement with the City of Chicago. As part of the agreement, he donated to two local foundations. Smollett accused officials of trying to pressure him into an admission of guilt, stating, “They wanted my money and an admission. They’ve gotten neither.”
What do you think of Jussie Smollett’s reaction to the Kendrick Lamar deepfake? Do you think it’s possible to separate art from the artist’s personal life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!