Two of West Philadelphia’s own took home Oscar gold

In his directorial debut, Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson took house the Oscar for Documentary Function for “Summer season of Soul.

Enjoying historian, the founding member of The Roots and native of the Metropolis of Brotherly Love dusted off 47 reels of unseen footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Pageant, a star-studded occasion that was by no means televised.

“I needed to revive historical past, do a very good job, and hopefully, perhaps a school or two would present it,” Questlove informed Motion Information earlier than the 94th Academy Awards.

Will Smith, who grew up in the identical Philadelphia neighborhood as Questlove, additionally took house Oscar gold for Actor in a Main Position in “King Richard.”

“King Richard” tells the story of the Williams sisters’ father, who helped to form them into two of essentially the most profitable tennis stars within the historical past of the game.

Smith – not lengthy earlier than he gained greatest actor – marched on stage and appeared to smack comic Chris Rock throughout Sunday evening’s Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke in regards to the look of Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Smith shouted at Rock to “maintain my spouse’s identify out of your (expletive) mouth,” and the group hushed because it turned clear this was no act. Smith apologized afterward to many individuals – together with tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams’ daughters – however didn’t point out Rock in his apology.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his household,” Smith stated as he started his acceptance speech.

SEE ALSO: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage after joke at spouse Jada Pinkett Smith’s expense