The BET Awards, which take place on Sunday, June 30, 2024, will feature a live performance of Will Smith singing a brand-new original song.
Starting his career in music, Smith recorded five albums as a member of the hip-hop combo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. He then went on to release four albums as a solo artist, the most recent of which being “Lost and Found,” which came out in 2005. He’s still putting out non-album singles, doing cameos on songs that are remixed, and writing music for motion pictures.
Smith has won four Grammy awards in the past for his work as a rapper: Best Rap Performance (1989) for “Parents Just Don’t Understand”; Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (1992) for “Summertime”; Best Rap Solo Performance (1998) for “Men in Black”; and Best Rap Solo Performance (1999) for “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,” as reported by Independent.
“Will Smith is a true worldwide legend, having risen from his humble beginnings as a rapper to the title of “The Fresh Prince” and movie office king as one of the Bad Boys.” Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, said she was pleased to have him return to the stage for the BET Awards. “We are excited for Will to contribute to yet another history-making evening that shouldn’t be missed.”
Smith surprised everyone by performing with Colombian musician J Balvin during his Coachella show back in April. Balvin’s extraterrestrial-themed set, which included a big alien head and a faux UFO, was consistent with the appearance.
“Coachella!” was yelled by Smith as he entered the stage from a rising platform while sporting the iconic black suit and sunglasses of his Men in Black persona.
Then, with supporting dancers performing behind him in black outfits and alien costumes, he rapped the song.
Regarding Smith’s Sunday BET appearance, no other information has been provided. But Taraji P. Henson, the Oscar-nominated actress, will emcee the event, and artist Usher will receive the Lifetime Achievement honor.
The performance on Sunday is also one of Smith’s few significant award show performances since the 94th Academy Awards, when he stormed the stage to slap comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Aside from Smith, there will be performances at the BET Awards on Sunday by Lauryn Hill with YG Marley, Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, and Tyla.