Will Smith took over the stage at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday in his first major solo performance since the infamous Oscar slap.
Following his surprise gig at Coachella, the Bad Boys star, 55, delivered an uplifting rendition of his new song You Can Make It featuring singer Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir.
The gospel-charged track hinted at the actor’s challenges in the public eye following his slap of 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,’ the Fresh Prince of Bel Air alum rapped as he stood in a circle of fire on the Peacock Theater stage.
Gospel icon Kirk Franklin joined him on stage to lend vocals, as Smith told the crowd, ‘Nobody gets an easy ride.’
‘I don’t know who needs this right now,’ he continued, ‘But I am here to tell you, you can make it.’
The 2024 BET Awards also featured performances by Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Latto, Lauryn Hill & YG Marley, Tyla, GloRilla, Muni Long, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét.
Taraji P. Henson returned as the host, where Grammy-winning singer Usher was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The dynamic performance seems to be another step in Smith’s comeback journey, which kicked off when Bad Boys: Ride or Die hit theaters and achieved impressive box office success, solidifying his return as a major movie star.
Smith also features on the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack with a Sean Paul collaboration called Light Em Up.
The I Am Legend alum released his last solo single in 2017 and his last album Lost And Found in 2005.
The album sold half a million copies and reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The BET appearance follows Smith’s April cameo with J Balvin at Coachella, where he dressed in full Men in Black attire for Balvin’s UFO-themed set.
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Source: CNN
