Will Smith made a triumphant return to music at the 2024 BET Awards, delivering an intense and inspiring performance of his new single “You Can Make It.” The Oscar winner and four-time Grammy winner, 55, took the stage alongside collaborators Fridayy and Sunday Service to bring the track to life.
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Before Smith’s performance, his voice rang out through the theater as he introduced the song with a powerful message: “I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but whatever’s going on in your life, I’m here to tell you you can make it.” The lyrics of the track reflect a deeply personal and universal message of hope for those struggling with hopelessness and distress.
Surrounded by a ring of fire and later showered in rain, Smith rapped the track with fiery passion, amplified by the backing of Sunday Service and special guest Kirk Franklin. The performance was a powerful display of Smith’s musical talents, which he had largely stepped away from in recent years to focus on his acting career.
Will Smith debuted his new song at the BET Awards.
From Fresh Prince to music royalty, he showed us why he’s always been a legend. 🌟🔥 #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/2ZY1pihbKh
— BET (@BET) July 1, 2024
Smith’s last major music releases as a lead artist came when he covered “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali” for the live-action Aladdin remake in 2019. Prior to that, he had found success with his first two solo albums, Big Willie Style and Willennium, both of which went platinum multiple times.
Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, expressed the network’s honor in welcoming Smith back to the BET Awards stage, calling him a “global icon” whose performance would be a “defining night for the culture.”
The 2024 BET Awards featured a stacked lineup of live performers, including Lauryn Hill, YG Marley, Ice Spice, Tyla, GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét. Taraji P. Henson returned to host the annual awards show for the third time.
The ceremony also paid special tribute to Usher, who received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award, joining the ranks of game-changers and industry pioneers who have left a lasting impact on the culture and entertainment.
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