Will Smith returns to music with uplifting BET Awards 2024 performance of 'You Can Make It'
Two years after the biggest controversy of his career, Will Smith returns to his musical roots to get some things off his chest.
Smith, who started as a Grammy-winning rapper before finding success in TV and film, took the stage at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday for a highly anticipated performance.
The āGettinā Jiggy Wit Itā emcee delivered an uplifting number at the star-studded ceremony, which featured appearances by top hip-hop acts including Victoria MoneĢt, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto and Lauryn Hill.
It was the first live performance of Smith's new song "You Can Make It," a gospel-influenced track that alluded to the actor's struggle in the public eye after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
"Believe me, they tried to bleed Will Smith. / In the rearview, I see adversity was the gift," Smith rapped.
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Accompanied by a rousing choir, Smith performed against a gravelly backdrop surrounded by a circle of pulsing flames. Gospel icon Kirk Franklin made a cameo, lending his soulful vocals to the cathartic song.
Smith's performance at the BET Awards follows recent surprise appearances by the āBad Boys: Ride or Dieā star that seemed to tease a revival of his music career.
Is Will Smith making a musical comeback?
In April, Smith joined Latin superstar J. Balvin during his Coachella set to rap his iconic hit "Men in Black" and even dressed up like his character from the 1997 film.
The following month, āThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airā star rolled up to the "Ride or Die" premiere in Hollywood atop a double-decker bus with co-star Martin Lawrence. Smith gave a brief performance of his 1997 song "Miami" as an ode to his character, who's a Miami Police detective.
Smith appears on the "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" soundtrack with a Sean Paul collaboration titled "Light Em Up."
The actor's most recent studio album was āLost and Found,ā released in 2005. The album sold a half-million copies and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Will Smith takes the mic at BET Awards:Actor teases musical return, awards show performance
Will Smith found fame as a rap star before his acting career
Before Smith found acting stardom with his breakout role on the NBC sitcom āThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airā in 1990, the Oscar-winning actor made his entrance into showbiz as one-half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
The hip-hop duo released its debut album āRock the Houseā in April 1987, which peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's R&B/hip-hop albums chart. Their 1988 follow-up, āHe's the DJ, I'm the Rapper,ā was certified triple platinum and earned the duo a Grammy Award for best rap performance (āParents Just Donāt Understandā).
The duo went on to release three more albums, including their last studio effort, āCode Red,ā in 1993.
Smith launched his solo rap career in the late ā90s with the release of his debut album āBig Willie Styleā in November 1997. The album, which sold 9 million copies, earned Smith a No. 1 hit with āGettinā Jiggy Wit Itā and a pair of Grammy Awards for best rap solo performance (āMen in Blackā in 1998 and āGettinā Jiggy Wit Itā in 1999).
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Smithās sophomore solo album āWillennium,ā released in 1999, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The double-platinum LP also helped the rapper score another No. 1 on the Hot 100 with āWild Wild West,ā which was featured on the soundtrack of Smithās Western film of the same name.
Smith released two more studio albums, going on hiatus following 2005ās āLost and Found.ā
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY