Chris Rock comments on #OscarsSoWhite during Oscars opening monologue

As the world watches to see what stars and movies will win big at the Oscars on Sunday, many were also listening to host Chris Rock's commentary on the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that erupted in January.

Rock referenced the #OscarsSoWhite controversy multiple times in his monologue, where no minority actors were nominated for Oscars for the second year in the row, even referring to the ceremony as the "white people's choice awards." Rock even poked fun at Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, who said they would be boycotting the Oscars.

"This whole black nominees thing happened at least 71 other times," Rock said. "We want black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors. That's it."

It wasn't just #OscarsSoWhite that the comedian addressed in his monologue. Rock also commented on the Black Lives Matters protest as well.

"Things going to be a little different at the Oscars. This year, in the "In Memorium" package, it's just going to be black people that were shot by the cops on their way to the movies," Rock said.

The comedian's comments were widely applauded on social media.

It wasn't unexpected for Rock to comment on #OscarsSoWhite: the comedian tweeted a mysterious video with static footage with the caption "See you Sunday... #blackout #oscars,". And when Rock hosted the Oscars in 2005, the comedian didn't hold back from commenting on race and political issues in his opening monologue.