The Oscar-winning actor took the stage for the first time at the BET Awards on Sunday, where he introduced his new single “You Can Make It.”
Will Smith has embraced his musical roots once more!
On Sunday, June 30, the 55-year-old Academy Award-winning actor kicked off the BET Awards in Los Angeles with a live performance of his latest song, “You Can Make It.”
Beginning his act dramatically in the heart of a flaming fire pit, Smith delivered powerful lyrics: “You are in the smoke and the fire / Tight rope on the wires / I see you’re broken and tired / And all your hope is expired / You’re just done with the change and the games and the shame / And the world is insane all the pain from the flames that you walk through.”
The performance took an uplifting turn as Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service choir joined Smith on stage amidst a rainstorm, adding a spirited gospel touch to the event.
In concluding his mesmerizing act, Smith imparted an encouraging message: “Nobody gets an easy ride. We all have a cross to bear, but there is wisdom in that fire. And every single moment of your life is a brand new opportunity.”
He went on, adding, “We are not being punished; we are being forged. Dance in your darkest moments.”
Just a week before this stellar performance, BET shared the excitement by announcing Smith as a special performer for his new single, which was officially released on June 28.
Will Smith’s musical journey is a remarkable one. Before rising to prominence in Hollywood, Smith made history in 1989 as the first rapper to ever win a Grammy. Performing under the alias Fresh Prince, he, along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, won the award for Best Rap Performance with their 1988 hit single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
Just days prior to his 2024 BET Awards showcase, Smith took to Instagram to reveal a lesser-known talent—playing the piano. He shared a video, captioning it, “Through some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me – to lift me and help me grow. It’s my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve.”
The melody played was from his new single, “You Can Make It,” which Smith said he was “excited” to perform live at the 2024 BET Awards.
Smith’s most recent musical venture was in 2017 with the electronic dance track “Get Lit,” which followed his 2005 studio album, “Lost and Found.”
The actor, known for his role in “King Richard,” had originally planned a musical return during the 2023 Grammy Awards, but the ceremony clashed with his filming schedule for the newly released “Bad Boys 4.” The performance would have celebrated hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
“I’ll give the spoiler alert away. Will Smith was a part of the festivities tonight, but they started shooting Bad Boys 4 this week,” Questlove shared with Variety on the Grammys red carpet in 2023. “There were a lot of preliminary shots that he had to do, so we had to lose Will.”
“Bad Boys 4” proved successful, earning $56 million domestically and $105 million globally during its opening weekend, according to reports from Variety and Deadline. The film stars Smith alongside Martin Lawrence.
The 2024 BET Awards, broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, aired on June 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
